Temporary Glasses from the Market - Rescue or Trap?

You’re in a hurry, your glasses have snapped, and you suddenly can’t read a menu, check your phone, or work on your laptop. A quick stroll through the supermarket or pharmacy presents a tempting solution: temporary, ready-made reading glasses. Cheap, convenient, and easy to grab, but are they a smart short-term fix or a risky trap?

Rescue: When Temporary Glasses Make Sense

Emergency situations

Temporary glasses can be a lifesaver when:

• Your main pair breaks or goes missing
  

• You're on vacation and forgot your prescription glasses
  

• You need quick visual support (like reading a label, receipt, or small print)
  
  

For people who need help with near vision due to presbyopia, market glasses, often sold as reading glasses, can help magnify text and provide temporary relief.

Low-risk, low-cost backup

Market glasses are affordable and widely available, making them a handy spare pair to keep:

• In your car
  

• At your desk
  

• In your travel bag
  
  

They’re also good if you're still testing the waters and unsure whether you need prescription reading glasses yet.

Trap: When Temporary Glasses Do More Harm Than Good

One-size-fits-none approach

Market glasses have the same lens strength in both eyes, which is rarely the case in real life. If you have:

• Different prescriptions in each eye
  

• Astigmatism
  

• Eye alignment issues
  
  

…you’ll likely experience eye strain, blurry vision, or headaches from poor optical alignment.

They don’t correct real vision problems

While non-prescription reading glasses can help you see text up close, they won’t fix:

• Nearsightedness (myopia)
  

• Farsightedness (hyperopia)
  

• More complex issues like bifocal or progressive lens needs
  
  

In short: they help you see better, but don’t correct your vision.

Risk of ignoring a deeper issue

Using temporary glasses without an eye exam may mask signs of:

• Worsening vision
  

• Eye disease (like glaucoma or cataracts)
  

• The need for new or updated prescription lense

Skipping your regular eye exam and relying on market glasses could mean delayed diagnosis of serious issues.

What to Watch For When Buying Temporary Glasses

If you do pick up a pair, make sure:

• The lens strength (e.g. +1.50, +2.00) feels comfortable
  

• The frame fits your face well and doesn't pinch or slide
  

• You can look through the center of the lenses without distortion
  

• They’re not scratched or poorly assembled, check hinges and screws
  
  

Use them only for short-term tasks, and avoid prolonged use, especially for screen time or driving.

So... Rescue or Trap?

Rescue if:

• You're in a pinch and need a quick visual fix
  

• You use them occasionally and understand their limits
  

• You're waiting for your custom prescription glasses to be made
  
  

Trap if:

• You use them long-term without a proper eye exam
  

• You experience discomfort, blurry vision, or headaches
  

• You're ignoring underlying vision problems that need professional correction
  
  

Smart Use of Temporary Glasses

Temporary market glasses can be a great rescue, but they shouldn’t become a long-term habit. Treat them like a band-aid, not a cure, your eyes deserve more than a one-size-fits-all fix.