Glasses specifically for one aspect of my job

djtonyb

After advice

I do not pay for eye test due to age (43) and family history.

I need standard prescription distance for every day and have prescription readers for VDU use at work too.

i have noticed a decline in being able to perform my work (engineer reworking/fixing/servicing PCBs) over the last few months. It would appear I now need glasses specifically for close up work. The Optician is leaning towards graduated readers (1 pair to help with close up and VDU use) and keep my standard distance glasses.

I have searched the boards and I know my employer may pay for glasses specifically for VDU use, but what about close up work? I cannot perform my duties at work without these glasses and 3 pairs of glasses are completely impractical.

Many thanks for any advise you can offer

suki1964

At 43 you would be going short sighted as matter of age

Why not go for verifocals? I've been wearing them all through my 40's and it's great having just one pair of glasses to worry about.

djtonyb

I have an added complication of not having binocular vision so it depends on how tired I am as to which eye my brain chooses to look thro. The optician is really surprised at the current strength of glasses for reading. She thought they were too strong for a woman of my age - they are in fact (since my last eye test in Jan) too weak now.

she has suggested varifolcals for day to day, my issue is the special glasses for my close up work - if I didn't do the job I do I wouldn't need them

anamenottaken

djtonyb wrote: »

I have an added complication of not having binocular vision so it depends on how tired I am as to which eye my brain chooses to look thro. The optician is really surprised at the current strength of glasses for reading. She thought they were too strong for a woman of my age - they are in fact (since my last eye test in Jan) too weak now.

she has suggested varifolcals for day to day, my issue is the special glasses for my close up work - if I didn't do the job I do I wouldn't need them

(An aside really but I've never known an optician equate age and gender with the strength of lenses required.)

You know that the law requires employers to provide for glasses required solely for VDU work - and you have those. The law is specific to VDUs. There is no law that I am aware of that says an employer must pay for glasses specifically required for any other purpose. Do you never do any other "close" work? Is the work carried out at a closer range than reading? Of course you could ask you employer if they would be willing to contribute - or consider asking at the jobcentre about access to work funding for those with a disability.

djtonyb

readers suffice for all work except the rework aspect of my job. Some of the components are 2mm by 1mm and I have to replace these - I am not disabled and earn a good wage - so funding will not be forthcoming

I have asked the boss and I'll see what happens. I was just curious

Missme

suki1964 wrote: »

At 43 you would be going short sighted as matter of age

Why not go for verifocals? I've been wearing them all through my 40's and it's great having just one pair of glasses to worry about.

People become more long-sighted with age.

I need reading glasses after a lifetime of short-sight and I have to say varifocals made me feel really nauseous. Specsavers do a trial so at least you could suck it and see.