I have worn glasses since I was three years old and have experimented with various configurations of glasses for low vision over the years, including different frame styles, lenses, and various adjustments to my prescription. Choosing glasses with low vision is a bit different than normal glasses shopping, because I have to factor in things that aren’t necessarily related to my prescription, including eye strain, how easy/quickly I can get glasses repaired or replaced, and similar details. Here are my favorite tips for choosing glasses with low vision, and a more in-depth look at what my glasses for low vision look like, updated to include information about my new glasses that I received at the end of 2025.
Background: Why four eyes?
For those visiting this website for the first time that are confused by the name of this post, welcome to Veronica With Four Eyes! Here in America, four eyes is an informal term to describe someone that wears glasses, which is unfortunately often used in the context of teasing (two eyes on head + two “eyes” from lenses). I decided to reclaim the term for my low vision and assistive technology blog, and spell my name with three additional I’s, making me Veronica with four I’s (eyes) or Veroniiiica. While no one ever called me Veronica with four eyes or anything like that before I started my website, I thought it would be a great name for my website since I keep my glasses on at all times.
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Where to buy low vision prescription glasses
My glasses prescription has changed multiple times over the years as my vision has fluctuated and progressed, but for many years I did not necessarily wear high power glasses (or at least not the high power glasses people would imagine I wore). That’s because a lot of elements of my vision loss/low vision involve things that are not corrected by glasses or cannot be fully corrected by glasses. I still find it extremely beneficial to wear prescription glasses as they significantly improve my usable vision, but don’t necessarily correct it to 20/20.
For many years, I would buy my eyeglass frames and lenses from LensCrafters because they can repair glasses on-site and I could also get non-polarized lens tints on-site for many years, which was helpful for making adjustments to my glasses. I also would purchase the protection plan so my glasses could be repaired at no cost; I was very grateful for the protection plan when my glasses were badly damaged during a pep band event and another time when a goat grabbed my glasses off of my face!
Now that my vision has changed and I have a higher prescription (including a +4.00 lined bifocal), my low vision specialist orders my lenses from Chadwick Optical, as they specialize in glasses for low vision and can provide specialty tints or prescriptions that are not offered by mainstream opticians. That said, I still purchased frames recently from LensCrafters so I could continue getting free repairs for my frames.
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Choosing frames with low vision
When I was in middle school, one of my best friends talked me into this super cool pair of glasses that had bright turquoise accents and were much more fashionable than my previous glasses. While these frames were definitely very cool, they did not work well with my lenses at all and the frames kept breaking. I had to go in for repairs multiple different times before accepting that I needed to find a different frame.
I have had great success with Coach prescription glasses frames, which have held up to my high prescription lenses and have been incredibly durable (making them well worth the higher price tag to me, especially after having to get my other glasses repaired multiple times). I also have Ray-Ban prescription sunglass frames that I love, and for a few years in middle school/early high school I wore Vogue kids glasses. These frames can be purchased online and brought to the optician, or purchased directly from the optician.
My current frames are the Coach HC6065 in purple confetti tortoise. I love that I have a pair of glasses in my favorite color!
A note on automatic fitting technology
Some opticians and eyeglass shops use automated fitting technology that involves taking a flash picture or looking at flashing lights, which is disorienting for me as I have a neurological condition triggered by flashing lights. For this reason, I ask that the optician manually take measurements when doing fittings for my glasses instead of relying on technology.
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Lined vs no-line bifocals
I wear lined bifocals for both my prescription glasses and sunglasses, meaning that my lenses are split in half lengthwise. The top half is for seeing things that are far away, while the bottom half is for reading/seeing items up close; if I am using an iPad or other tablet, I often adjust the display so I can position the screen underneath the bifocal lens in my glasses. These are two different prescriptions, and I find it more comfortable to use lined bifocals compared to progressive/no-line bifocals that split the lens into three different viewing areas. With my eye condition and brain condition, no-line bifocals are not typically recommended because they can trigger vertigo more easily.
When I was in elementary school, I remember some of my teachers asked me if I had scratched the middle of my glasses, because it is less common for young kids to wear bifocals. While I have had a few other people (usually kids) ask me the same question, it is rare that anyone notices that I am wearing lined bifocals.
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Prism lenses for double vision
I started wearing prism correction for double vision when I was in middle school, since double vision is a significant component of my low vision condition. I stopped wearing prism glasses after eye surgery when I was 19, but started wearing glasses with prism correction again when I was 28. I still experience double vision even with the prism, but I noticed that the stronger prism lenses would trigger intense vertigo and eye pain/eye strain as my vision fluctuated throughout the day so I prefer the weaker prism that improves my double vision without causing pain.
Related links
- Two of Everything: Living With Double Vision
- Ten “Odd” Things I Do With Double Vision
- How I Take Math Tests With Double Vision
Tinted lenses for low vision
I experience photophobia, also known as sensitivity to bright lights, and find it difficult to focus my eyes when there is a lot of bright lights or glare. I started wearing tinted non-polarized lenses in late middle school/early high school that make it easier for me to handle bright lights and doesn’t impact my ability to use screens like polarized lenses do. Tinted lenses come in a variety of colors and levels and are different than transition lenses, as they do not change color. They are often available at no additional cost when purchasing prescription glasses.
To figure out what tint works well for me, I met with a low vision ophthalmologist and an optician to determine what color and tint strength would work best for my eye condition. According to my optician, the lenses I have right now are a level 3 brown tint— my eyes are partially obscured by the tint but are still visible. Since my eyes are not fully visible, I often have to get disability accommodations or approval to wear my tinted prescription glasses in exams or for ID photos.
To see what my tinted glasses look like “in action”, check out my post on tinted glasses for low vision linked below. To see how tinted glasses compare to sunglasses, check out my post on being in the Green Machine pep band, which has several photos where I am wearing polarized sunglasses with green frames.
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Spare pairs and sunglasses for low vision
When getting a new prescription, I don’t purchase spare pairs or sunglasses until I know the prescription will work well for me, since I don’t want to have to get new lenses for multiple frames. For a few years, I would have a pair of sunglasses as a “spare pair” that I would wear for band practice and events. Currently, I have a pair of purple/plum tinted glasses in addition to my brown tinted glasses, along with a pair of sunglasses.
After I had eye surgery and needed to wear a different prescription for a few weeks, my ophthalmologist recommended I purchase non-polarized tinted reading glasses and told me which power to order. I wasn’t able to see very far, but this worked well for basic reading tasks in the weeks after my surgery until I got my new prescription. I still keep a pair of these glasses in case I can’t wear any of my other glasses for a short period of time.
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How I store glasses with low vision
Instead of just resting them on a table and hoping for the best, I prefer to have an eyeglasses stand or dedicated eyeglasses holder that provides contrast against tabletop surfaces so I can easily find my glasses. Currently, I have a crochet glasses holder that stands out against a white table, and a 3D printed balloon dog glasses holder that sits on my desk so I can switch to my plum-tinted glasses as needed. I also keep my sunglasses in a bright red case that stands out from inside of a purse, backpack, pocket, or drawer so I can locate them quickly.
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More about my glasses for low vision
- When storing spare pairs or previous pairs, it helps to add a note with the prescription inside the glasses case, as well as the year/date they were prescribed. I keep previous pairs of glasses in a specific location so I can find them quickly if needed.
- Interested in learning more about tinted glasses? Read Wearing Tinted Glasses for Low Vision
- Want to learn how I answer common questions about my glasses? Check out How I Respond To Questions/Comments About My Glasses
Published January 24, 2017. Updated December 2025