Prescription Glasses Vs. Readers

Posted on March 20, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

For some people, their eyesight gradually declines. For others, it can happen quickly. When it comes to wearing glasses, the choice can be between getting prescription glasses or non-prescription “readers” also known as “cheaters”.

With either choice, it is important to get an eye examination to determine if you need prescription glasses, if there’s an issue related to your vision, or if readers are okay to use.

Most people can use over-the-counter (OTC) readers if they match the power of their prescription. An example of this is if their eye doctor recommended +2.00 in each eye, and they purchased OTC readers that had the same power.

It is important to note that despite OTC readers being less expensive than prescription glasses, they are mass-produced, and the quality of their lenses and the materials they are made of are usually inferior to those of prescription glasses, which are privately manufactured.

Additionally, there are rare cases when the pupillary distance, which is the distance between the pupils of the eyes, is very small or very wide, and the lenses in the OTC readers can cause eye strain or double vision.

If you experience any of these symptoms with OTC readers, it is recommended to replace them with a pair of prescription glasses.

However, if you do purchase OTC readers, here are some tips to follow to make sure you get the most benefits from them:

Find a pair of readers with the right power. Reading glasses will have signs or stickers describing their power. In many cases, they will range from +1 to +4 diopters, increments of +.25. Diopters are the unit of measurement used to calculate the focusing strength of a pair of glasses or contact lenses. Look for the number that matches your prescription. If you don’t have a prescription, try +1 first, as it is the lowest power

Test the glasses by using them to read. If you have a book or magazine, try using the glasses to read at a comfortable distance. You can also use the eye chart at the eyeglass display to test the glasses. It is important to try different powers until you can read clearly at a distance that is most comfortable for you

Try glasses with larger lenses first, as they offer more of an optimal zone where the prescription is. This will make it easier to use smaller lenses once you get used to wearing glasses.

If you decide to wear prescription glasses instead of OTC readers, you may want to know how to read your prescription.

An eyeglass prescription is made up of an odd series of letters and numbers that are instructions for making your glasses. Here is what they mean:

In a typical prescription, there are two acronyms, one for each eye.

O.D.- is short for oculus dexter, which is your right eye

O.S.- is short for oculus sinister, which is your left eye

The sphere column is often abbreviated as SPH. This is the lens power needed to fix your vision. A minus sign (-) next to the number means nearsightedness. This means you see better up close and need distance correction. A plus sign (+) indicates that you are farsighted and can see better from far away and need your near vision corrected.

Since lens power is measured in diopters, if the sphere field is written as -9.00 D, which means there are 9 diopters of nearsightedness. The measuring system is an integer line, with zero in the middle, needing no correction. The further you get away from zero on either the minus or plus side, the stronger your prescription is.

The cylinder number is how much astigmatism you have, if any. This is when part of the cornea has a different curve. Normally, an eye is shaped like a basketball, rotated in any direction, with the curve staying the same. An eye with astigmatism is oval, or egg-shaped, or more like a football, with one curve being longer than the other. Their CYL number corrects the different second curves.

The axis number tells you where astigmatism is on the cornea. The axis is written in degrees between 1 and 180, indicating which way the astigmatism lines up.

The add column is where any additional lens power is written. For example, some people over the age of 40 may not want an extra pair of glasses for reading and may choose to wear bifocals instead. The lower half of the lens will give them their reading vision.

Additionally, there may be a field for prism on the right side. This is a special type of correction built into the lens for some people with double vision. This means they see two separate images of the same object. The prism fuses the two images together, so they will only see one image.

If you need an eye exam, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Center by calling (718) 206-5900.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Reactive Arthritis

Posted on March 4, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Reactive arthritis is a condition that occurs when the immune system reacts to an infection somewhere in the body and causes joint pain and inflammation. This infection usually starts in the digestive system, genitals, or urinary tract. Reactive arthritis usually affects the knees, ankles, and feet, but it can also cause inflammation in the eyes, skin, and urethra. Reactive arthritis is considered a form of a group of inflammatory diseases that mainly affect the spine, joints, and places where tendons and ligaments attach to bones called spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Although reactive arthritis isn’t contagious, the bacteria that cause it can spread through sex or food. Several types of bacteria can trigger reactive arthritis, including:

Chlamydia trachomatis

Clostridium difficile (C. Difficile)

Escherichia coli (E. Coli)

Campylobacter

Salmonella

Shigella

Yersinia

While only a small number of people who are exposed to these bacteria develop reactive arthritis, certain factors increase the risk of developing the condition, including:

Infection

Sex assigned at birth

Genetics

The symptoms of reactive arthritis usually start one to four weeks after a triggering infection. Common symptoms include:

Pain and stiffness

Urinary issues

Swollen toes or fingers

Eye inflammation

Inflammation of tendons and ligaments where they attach to bone

Skin issues

Lower back pain

Reactive arthritis isn’t common and usually happens for a short period of time. For most people who experience this condition, symptoms can come and go, usually disappearing within a year.

A healthcare provider can diagnose reactive arthritis with a physical exam, as they check the eyes and joints for inflammation, warmth, and tenderness, as well as the skin for rashes. They may also order blood tests, joint fluid tests, and imaging tests to help diagnose the condition.

The main goals of treatment for reactive arthritis are to relieve symptoms and treat any infection that may still be present. Since reactive arthritis can affect different parts of the body, there may need to be multiple doctors or healthcare providers involved in treating this condition. Treatments for reactive arthritis can include:

Medicines such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, and rheumatoid arthritis medicines

Physical therapy exercises that strengthen the muscles around the affected joints, improve flexibility, and prevent stiffness

Although genetics is a risk factor for developing reactive arthritis, that risk can be lowered by reducing exposure to bacteria that cause infections by:

Practicing food safety

Preventing sexually transmitted infections

If you are experiencing any symptoms of reactive arthritis, you can schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call (718) 206-7001.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month

Posted on February 5, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that can blur your central vision. It occurs when aging damages the part of the eye that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision, called the macula. The macula is part of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

Age-related macular degeneration is a common condition and the most common cause of severe loss of eyesight among people 50 and older. It is important to note that people rarely go blind from it. However, losing your central vision makes it harder to see faces, read, drive, or do close-up work like cooking or fixing things around the house.

There are two types of age-related macular degeneration: dry and wet. Most people with age-related macular degeneration have dry AMD, also called atrophic AMD. This is when the macular gets thinner with age. Dry AMD happens in three stages:

Early

Intermediate

Late

Wet AMD, also called advanced neovascular AMD, is a less common type of late AMD that causes faster vision loss. Dry AMD can turn into wet AMD at any stage; however, wet AMD always occurs in the late stage.

The most common symptoms of age-related macular degeneration can include:

Blurry or fuzzy vision

Difficulty recognizing familiar faces

Seeing straight lines appearing wavy

A dark, empty area or blind spot appears in the center of a person’s vision

The presence of tiny yellow deposits in the retina called drusen is one of the most common early signs of age-related macular degeneration. It can mean the eye is at risk of developing more severe age-related macular degeneration.

Several risk factors that can contribute to developing age-related macular degeneration include:

Eating a diet high in saturated fat

Smoking

High blood pressure or hypertension

To diagnose age-related macular degeneration, an eye doctor will look at your medical history and perform an eye exam. They may also perform other tests to help diagnose AMD, including:

A visual acuity test

Pupil dilation

Fluorescein angiography

Amsler grid

Specific treatment for age-related macular degeneration is determined by your eye doctor based on:

Your age, overall health, and medical history

The extent and nature of the disease

Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or low-vision therapies

The expectations for the course of the disease

Your opinion or preference

There is no current treatment for dry AMD; however, vision rehabilitation programs and low-vision devices can be used to build visual skills, develop new ways to perform daily living activities, and adjust to living with age-related macular degeneration.

The main treatment for wet AMD is an injection of medications called anti-VEGF agents. VEGF stands for vascular endothelial growth factor.

There is no cure for age-related macular degeneration. However, research shows that you may be able to lower your risk of AMD, or slow vision loss from AMD by:

Quitting smoking

Getting regular exercise

Maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels

Eating healthy foods that include leafy green vegetables and fish

AMD happens very slowly in some people and faster in others. If you have early AMD, you may not notice vision loss for a long time. It is important to get regular eye exams to find out if you have AMD.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of dry or wet AMD, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Center by calling (718) 206-5900.

National Safe Toys and Gifts Month

Posted on December 12, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month. It is an annual observance dedicated to promoting the safety of toys and gifts for children, particularly during the holiday season. It serves as a reminder to parents, caregivers, and gift-givers to choose age-appropriate and safe toys to ensure the well-being of the children who receive them.

Started by the nonprofit organization Prevent Blindness, National Safe Toys and Gifts Month focuses on raising awareness about the importance of selecting toys and gifts that meet safety standards and align with a child’s age and developmental stage. The month aims to prevent accidents and injuries caused by inappropriate or hazardous toys, especially when gift-giving is most common.

Too often, accidents involving children and toys occur and may result in eye injuries. Each year, thousands of children ages 14 and younger suffer serious eye injuries, including blindness, from toys, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Approximately one in ten children’s eye injuries caused by toys end up in the ER.

Promoting safe toys and gifts during this month is essential for children’s well-being. Ways to participate and ensure safe gift-giving include:

Check the labels of the toys before purchasing them. Always look for age-appropriate labels on toys and gifts and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Avoid toys with small parts, which can be choking hazards for young children.

Inspect the toys for any hazards by examining them for sharp edges, loose parts, or any potential dangers that could harm children.

Research the toys and gifts online by reading reviews and asking for recommendations from other parents and caregivers.

Consider the child’s age before buying any gifts or toys. Also consider their interests and abilities when selecting gifts for them.

Support educational toys by choosing toys and gifts that encourage learning, creativity, and development.

Spread awareness by sharing safety tips and information about safe toys and gifts month with your community and on social media.

Taking proper precautions can avoid many accidents and injuries involving children’s toys. Let’s all do our part to encourage their safety.

To schedule an eye exam for your child at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Center, call (718) 206-5900. If there is an emergency, please call 911.

How to Read Your Eye Prescription

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

When a person goes to an eye doctor appointment, they may receive a prescription after their exam. This prescription is made up of an odd series of letters and numbers that are instructions for making your glasses. Here is what they mean:

In a typical prescription, there are two acronyms, one for each eye.

D.- is short for oculus dexter, which is your right eye
S.- is short for oculus sinister, which is your left eye

Lens power is measured in diopters, the unit of measurement used to calculate the focusing strength of a pair of glasses or contact lenses. If you see the sphere field written above as -9.00 D, this means there are 9 diopters of nearsightedness. The measuring system is an integer line, with zero in the middle, needing no correction. The further you get away from zero on either the minus or plus side, the stronger your prescription is.

The axis number tells you where the astigmatism is on the cornea. The axis is written in degrees between 1 and 180, indicating which way the astigmatism lines up.

The prescription for contact lenses is different because they sit directly on the eye. A contact lens prescription includes measurements specific to the size and brand of your contacts. Before you fill a prescription for contact lenses, you will need a contact lens fitting to see if they are right for you.

If you require an eye exam, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Center by calling (718) 206-5900.

Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

Posted on August 6, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. As many parents prepare their children for the new school year, it is essential to have their eyes checked.

Vision is a vital part of a child’s development. It is how they learn, play, and interact with the world around them. Uncorrected vision problems can impair child development, interfere with learning, and even lead to permanent vision loss.

Unfortunately, many eye problems in children go undetected, which can lead to long-term issues. Regular eye exams are crucial in identifying problems early, ensuring your child has the best chance for healthy vision. Good vision is essential for their performance in school, in sports, and for their overall well-being.

Vision issues in children are common in the United States. They are vulnerable to many eye problems, including:

Injuries

Infections

Nearsightedness

There are many things to be aware of that may indicate a problem with your child’s eyes, including:

Their eyes do not line up or appear crossed

Their eyelids are red-rimmed, crusted, or swollen

Their eyes are watery or inflamed

They rub their eyes a lot

They close or cover one eye

They tilt their head forward

They have trouble reading or doing other close-up work

They hold objects close to their eyes to see

They blink more than usual or seem cranky when doing close-up work

Things are blurry or hard to see for them

There are many ways to protect your child’s eye health, including:

Getting regular eye exams

Wearing protective eyewear during sports and other activities

Limiting screen time

Practicing healthy nutrition

If you would like to schedule an eye exam for your child, you can visit an ophthalmologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-5900.

Cataract Awareness Month

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

June is Cataract Awareness Month, a month to educate the public on an eye disease that is the leading cause of vision loss in the United States and the world’s leading cause of blindness.

Most cataracts occur when aging or injury changes the tissue that makes up the eye’s lens, and proteins and fibers in the lens begin to break down, causing it to become cloudy. Most cataracts develop slowly and don’t disturb eyesight early on, but with time, they will eventually affect a person’s vision.

There are several symptoms of cataracts, including:

Clouded, blurred, or dim vision

Trouble seeing at night

Sensitivity to bright light and glare

The need for brighter light for reading and other activities

Seeing “halos” or streaks that form around lights

Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription

Fading or yellowing of colors

Double vision in one eye

There are many types of cataracts, including:

Nuclear cataracts

Cortical cataracts

Posterior subcapsular cataracts

Congenital cataracts

Several factors can increase the risk of cataracts, including:

Increasing age

Diabetes

Getting too much sunlight

Smoking

Obesity

Family history of cataracts

Previous eye injury or inflammation

Prolonged use of corticosteroid medicines

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol

Ophthalmologists and optometrists diagnose cataracts through a comprehensive eye exam. A healthcare provider will closely examine your eyes for signs of cataracts and assess their severity. They will also ask about your vision, medical history, and if you’re having trouble with everyday tasks because you can’t see as well as before. Tests used to diagnose cataracts include:

Slit lamp exam

Visual acuity test

Cataract surgery is the only way to remove cataracts and restore clear vision. During this surgery, an ophthalmologist removes the clouded natural lens and replaces it with an intraocular lens (IOL). An IOL is an artificial lens that permanently stays in the eye.

No studies have proven how to prevent or slow the growth of cataracts. However, healthcare professionals think several strategies may be helpful, including:

Getting regular eye exams

Quitting smoking

Managing other health problems

Choosing a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables

Wearing sunglasses

Reducing alcohol use

If you’re experiencing cataract symptoms, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Center by calling (718) 206-5900.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Posted on February 6, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that can blur your central vision. It occurs when aging damages the macula, the part of the eye that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision. The macula is part of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

Age-related macular degeneration is a common condition and the most common cause of severe loss of eyesight among people 50 and older. It is important to realize that people rarely go blind from it. However, losing your central vision makes it harder to see faces, read, drive, or do close-up work like cooking or fixing things around the house.

There are two types of age-related macular degeneration, dry and wet.

Most people with age-related macular degeneration have dry AMD, also called atrophic AMD. This is when the macular gets thinner with age. Dry AMD happens in three stages:

Early
Intermediate
Late

Wet AMD, also called advanced neovascular AMD is a less common type of late AMD that causes faster vision loss. Dry AMD can turn into wet AMD at any stage, however, wet AMD is always late.

The most common symptoms of age-related macular degeneration can include:

Blurry or fuzzy vision
Difficulty recognizing familiar faces
Seeing straight lines appearing wavy
A dark, empty area or blind spot appears in the center of a person’s vision

Several risk factors that can contribute to developing age-related macular degeneration include:

Eating a diet high in saturated fat
Smoking
High blood pressure or hypertension

To diagnose age-related macular degeneration, an eye doctor will look at your medical history and perform an eye exam. They may also perform other tests to help diagnose AMD, including:

A visual acuity test
Pupil dilation
Fluorescein angiography
Amsler grid

Specific treatment for age-related macular degeneration is determined by your eye doctor based on:

Your age, overall health, and medical history
The extent and nature of the disease
Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or low-vision therapies
The expectations for the course of the disease
Your opinion or preference

There is no current treatment for dry AMD, however, vision rehabilitation programs and low-vision devices can be used to build visual skills, develop new ways to perform daily living activities, and adjust to living with age-related macular degeneration.

The main treatment for wet AMD is an injection of medications called anti-VEGF agents. VEGF stands for vascular endothelial growth factor.

There is no cure for age-related macular degeneration. However, research shows that you may be able to lower your risk of AMD, or slow vision loss from AMD by:

Quitting smoking
Getting regular exercise
Maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels
Eating healthy foods that include leafy green vegetables and fish

If you’re experiencing symptoms of dry or wet AMD, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Center by calling (718) 206-5900.

Lazy Eye in Children

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Lazy eye or amblyopia is reduced vision in one eye caused by abnormal visual development early in life. The weaker or lazy eye often wanders inward or outward. Amblyopia generally develops from birth up to seven years old, and rarely affects both eyes.

Signs and symptoms of lazy eye include:

A wandering or crossed eye
Eyes that appear not to work together
Poor depth perception
Squinting or shutting an eye
Head tilting
Abnormal results of vision screening tests

It is important to note that some children display no symptoms of amblyopia. The child’s strong eye and brain can compensate for the weaker eye, making it appear that the child has good vision. Over time, the brain gets used to working with only one eye. The eye that’s being ignored by the brain doesn’t develop normal vision.

There are three main causes of amblyopia, including:

Strabismus- which occurs when a child’s eyes aren’t aligned. The eyes don’t work together, leading the brain to ignore one eye
Refractive error or need for glasses- children are especially at risk if one eye has a larger need for glasses compared to the other eye
Conditions that cause poor vision in one eye, like cataracts or droopy eyelid, prompt the brain to ignore the blurry pictures seen by that eye

Additional factors that can place a child at a higher risk for amblyopia, include:

A family history of amblyopia
Prematurity
Developmental delay
Craniofacial disorders
Certain genetic conditions, such as:
- Down syndrome (trisomy 21)
- 22q deletion syndrome
- Williams syndrome
- Noonan syndrome

Vision screening is the best way to diagnose amblyopia and its risk factors. Photoscreening, a type of vision screening that uses a special camera to determine how well a child can see, is often performed in conjunction with vision testing.

Treatment options depend on the cause of lazy eye and how much the condition affects your child’s vision. Treatment your doctor may recommend include:

Corrective eyewear
Eye patches
Bangerter filter
Eye drops
Surgery

Treatment while your child is young and the eyes are still developing, gives them a better chance of overcoming amblyopia. The goal is to make your child’s brain use both eyes. Getting the eyes to work as a team becomes harder as your child grows. Therefore, early treatment is best. Treatment may not work if started after seven to ten years of age.

If your child is experiencing symptoms of lazy eye, schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Center now by calling (718) 206-5900.

Eye Injury Prevention Month

Posted on October 4, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

October is eye injury prevention month. More than one million people per year are affected by an eye injury and 90% of these injuries could have been prevented if protective eyewear was worn. Here are some facts and tips that can help protect your eyes from injury:

The leading causes of eye injuries include sports accidents, consumer fireworks, household chemicals, battery acid, and workshop and yard debris.
Eyes can be damaged by the sun, not just dust, chemicals, and foreign bodies.
Wear safety goggles when working in the workshop or yard, jumpstarting your car, or working with cleaning or other chemicals.
Always wear appropriate protective eyewear during sports and recreational activities.
Injuries such as cuts, chemical burns, or foreign bodies stuck in the eye are emergencies and require immediate medical attention.
In case of a chemical burn to the eye, flush the eye with clean water and seek emergency medical treatment immediately.

To ensure healthy vision, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends frequent, comprehensive eye exams every one or two years to prevent any serious problems.

If you would like to schedule an eye exam for you or someone you know, you can visit an ophthalmologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.