Is a 1.25 Eye Prescription Bad? Do I Need Glasses?

If you've received an eye prescription of ±1.25 diopters, it might be hard to understand how much of an effect this has on your vision.

In this article, we’ll explain what it means in simple terms to help you decide whether you need glasses or other corrective options.

What Does A 1.25 Eye Prescription Mean?

A 1.25 eye prescription refers to the power of the lens used to correct the problem. Depending on the type of vision correction needed, a plus or minus sign will be written in your prescription.

(+) means you're farsighted
(-) means you're nearsighted

The number, as opposed to the plus or minus, indicates the degree of vision correction needed. 1.25 power lens correction is relatively mild.

Because a 1.25 power lens correction is relatively mild, many people with this prescription don't require corrective eyewear all the time. Some may opt for over-the-counter "reader" glasses to enhance their vision.

What Are Diopters?

When your eye doctor talks about diopters (D), they're referring to the strength of the lenses you'll need to correct your vision. A ±1.25 prescription is considered mild and affects your ability to see clearly at different distances.

For example, if you're a nearsighted person with -1.25 D, things like road signs or distant objects may appear blurry. Uncorrected, your vision could be around 20/60.

This means you see at 20 feet what someone with normal vision would see at 60 feet. On the other hand, if you're farsighted with +1.25 D, you may not notice blurry vision right away unless you're doing tasks up close, like reading or using your phone.

How Does 1.25 Prescription Affect You?

A mild prescription of ±1.25 might not seem like a big deal, but it can impact your visual experience during everyday activities. Here are some things you might experience:

You might experience glare around lights and street signs while driving at night.
You could suffer from eye strain due to prolonged exposure to digital screens.
Recognizing faces from a distance might become difficult.
Distant objects may generally seem less clear.

These symptoms can be more noticeable during tasks that require sharp focus, especially if you haven't been wearing corrective lenses.

Do You Need to Wear Glasses?

You typically won’t need glasses if you have a ±1.25 prescription. However, there are some cases where you’ll need to wear glasses.

Driving. If your uncorrected vision is around 20/60 to 20/70, you would typically fail the DMV vision test unless you wear glasses or contacts.
Reading and work. If you find it hard to read distant text in classrooms or at work, glasses could be helpful for comfort and productivity.
Eye strain. You may want to start wearing glasses if you’re experiencing eye strain or fatigue while working or reading.

In short, while you may not need glasses all the time, wearing them for activities like driving or reading can make your daily life much easier and more comfortable.

Treatment for 1.25 Eye Prescription

Several treatments are available for correcting a 1.25 eye prescription. The proper treatment varies from person to person, depending on their specific situation.

Some of the most common treatments for correcting vision problems include:

Over-the-counter magnifying glasses. They are usually sold in 0.25-diopter steps from about +1.00 D up to roughly +3.50 D in most pharmacies, though some online retailers carry higher-power options. They magnify what someone is looking at, improving their up-close vision.
Prescription glasses or contacts. Prescription glasses or contacts are common. For those also with presbyopia (age-related difficulty with near vision), options like bifocals or progressive lenses can make switching focus between near and far objects easier.
Progressive or multifocal lenses. These are glasses that offer a smooth transition between different focal lengths. They are worn by people in need of vision correction at all distances.
Ortho-K. Orthokeratology is a non-surgical vision correction method that uses specially designed rigid contact lenses to temporarily reshape the cornea.
Laser eye surgery. You can also correct a 1.25 prescription with LASIK or PRK. However, these laser eye surgeries may be an excessive solution for a mild prescription.

Consult your eye doctor before considering any kind of laser eye surgery.

What Counts as Bad Eyesight?

While ±1.25 is mild, it's helpful to understand what is generally considered 'bad' eyesight for comparison.

“Bad” eyesight generally means someone cannot see clearly without corrective lenses. Typically, prescriptions are considered "bad" or strong when greater than ±5.00 diopters."

People with bad eyesight may struggle with refractive errors, preventing their eyes from properly focusing light. There are several different kinds of refractive errors, including:

Astigmatism. Occurs when the eye's cornea is misshapen, causing blurred vision.
Nearsightedness or myopia. Occurs when light entering the eye focuses incorrectly, causing distant objects to appear blurred.
Farsightedness or hyperopia. Occurs when light focuses improperly, causing difficulty focusing on near objects.
Presbyopia. Trouble seeing close-up due to age-related eye changes.

Potential Long-Term Vision Changes and Eye Health

Even with a mild prescription, vision can deteriorate over time. Regular eye exams are essential, even with a mild prescription, as they help monitor overall eye health and can detect early signs of conditions such as:

Age-related changes (presbyopia, cataracts)
Potentially serious conditions (glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, retinal disorders)
Other common issues (dry eye, persistent floaters)

The sooner severe conditions like macular degeneration are detected, the more effective the treatment. Therefore, even if your vision is only mildly affected with a ±1.25 prescription, regular eye examinations are your best defense, ensuring both optimal vision correction now and the early detection of any future concerns.

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