I recently lost my ability to see "up close" (old age I guess, but I waited till I was 50!!). My doctor told me to get cheaters, which work just fine. I even went to the optometrist who told me my far vision was better than his equipment could check (20/12), but that I needed 1.5 correction for close up reading, and that "cheaters" were more than acceptable for reading. On my last class one physical, the nurse gave me the "if you can't read these charts WITHOUT glasses, then we can't pass you" story. On my medical certificate, it says I HAVE to use glasses for near vision. When I told the nurse the reason I have cheaters is because I CAN'T focus up close, she said that she was sorry about that, and that I HAD to read the charts without the glasses. This is more than ridiculous. Why have "needs glasses for near vision" on my medical if I can't use them for the physical? How do pilots that wear glasses pass their physicals? Needless to say I was pretty ticked off after the medical. They let me "slide" so to speak, but I'm seriously thinking of getting a new AME. Any comments????