My eyes aren't too bad, but I do see better with prescription glasses. My prescription came with a distance specification and an "add" specification for reading -- because I'm too old to read without reading glasses. For carving, I had been adding a pair of clip-on reading lenses to my prescription reading glasses. That works, but it's clunky.

During a recent visit to my eye doc, I talked her into giving me a separate prescription for close-up work -- basically, the same as the clip-on without the clip-on. She was hesitant at first, but after we discussed alternatives -- all of which I had tried -- she agreed to provide the prescription. It's marked as "Occupational", which is funny as I'm retired. Still, got the job done.

Today I carved my first stamp with my new glasses, and they work splendidly. I can see better than ever and don't even need to get quite as close to the work as I had been.

For anyone who wants to follow in my footsteps, here are some guidelines:

The clip-ons I had been using were +2.25. You should ask your eye doc for a prescription that's about +2.25 - +2.5 over and above your reading glasses! Reading glasses are typically +1.5 - +2.5 or so, so we're talking a total boost of almost +5.

Your prescription also comes with something called "Distance PD", which is the distance between your eyes when looking at something in the distance. The shop making your glasses uses this to center the lenses in front of your eyes. Note, however, that for your reading lenses they subtract 2.5 from this because you pull your eyes together a bit when looking at something closer, like a book. Progressive lenses and bifocals have this 2.5 difference built in, since they have both distance and reading in the same lens.

For carving, we're looking at something even closer. I talked it over with the guy at the Vision Center at Wally World, and we agreed to subtract 4 from the Distance PD for these glasses. It must have been right, because I can't recall ever getting new glasses that felt so right the first time I put them on. So I recommend the -4 on the Distance PD for carving glasses.

I can also report that I got these from the Vision Center for a bit less than $40. I selected a pair of frames from the $9 rack, and then opted for the cheapest lenses. That's important, because these guys normally push the more expensive lenses for anything like a +5 strength because the lenses get so thick. But I don't care how thick they are, I'm only using them for carving -- and the higher-refraction lenses cost a lot more. They didn't really come out all that thick anyway, IMHO. They're certainly less obnoxious than the clip-ons were.

I had originally intended to just replace the lenses in my old reading glasses. However, the guy at the Vision Center pointed out that they charge an additional $10 to fit lenses to frames that you brought in. By buying the $9 frames, I actually saved a buck -- and I got to keep my old reading glasses, which I can still use with the clip-ons in a pinch.

So glad you can see more easily now, and make more of those amazing stamps! And by the way...thanks for getting my tools back to me so quickly so I can get back to my carving shenanigans too! All arrived safely several days ago. Carve on, Kirbert!

Oh, yeah, I'll be using these glasses to modify and sharpen tools, too.

this is a brilliant idea! esp since i have astigmatism and have never been able to use those reading glasses! thanks for the suggestion!!!

I'll be using these glasses to modify and sharpen tools, too

There you go----occupational. :D