Everything about reading glasses you need to know
As you age your close-up vision naturally deteriorates. This is a completely natural process however it can mean you may struggle to read a book comfortably or work at your computer for long periods of time without causing eye strain. But do not fear! Reading glasses are here to save the day.
They are designed to only be worn for close-up work, and when you are not using them, you might tuck your glasses case into your bag, or you might wear them with a cord around your neck. Some may even require two sets of eyeglasses: for for close print such as books and another for mid-distance reading such as using a computer screen.
How do reading glasses work?
A common misconception made about reading glasses is the assumption that they magnify small print. They don't; they actually work by providing the correct diopter strength making it easier to read small print. Reading glasses are available in diopter strengths between +0.75 to +4.00 and can be purchased both over the counter and online.
Manufacturers may refer to diopter strength as magnification power in order to ease confusion with anyone unfamiliar with the inner workings of reading glasses. But remember they aren't the same thing even though the terms may be used interchangeably.
With every diopter there is a sweet spot range where close vision is brought into sharper focus. This will change from person to person. If the diopter is too weak for your individual needs, then you will notice that you need to move the reading material farther away from your face so it can be clearly seen. If the diopter is too strong then you may find yourself holding your book a little too close for comfort.
The average person holds reading material between 14-18 inches away from their face. To restore the ability to read within this range you will need a diopter that sharpens focus within the distance. For a pair of glasses used for working at a desk and using a computer monitor, you will be reading from 24 inches away, so you will need a weaker power diopter than you would for reading.
When to wear reading glasses?
It is exactly as it says on the tin; you use reading glasses for reading. But that isn't all you may use them for. Reading glasses can be used for any close up work in which you may be holding objects in close proximity such as threading a fishing line or sewing. Just grab your handy reading glasses when you are having difficulty with any close up task.
If you find that it's easier to read if you hold reading materials further away from your face, have blurry vision when doing close-up work, struggle to read in dim light, and have tension headaches at the end of a workday, then it might be a good idea to take a quick eye exam.
Most people will experience eye degeneration starting in their forties, and their eyesight will continue to worsen until about sixty-five years old. So age can be a solid indicator of whether or not you need reading glasses. Presbyopia is common in old age and results in the loss of the ability to concentrate on close-up objects.
How to pick the best reading glasses?
Once you have come to the conclusion that you need reading glasses, you then have the question of which pair is the best? Or which pair is best for me? There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to eyewear.
If you spend a great deal of time concentrating on close-up reading material, then you might want to consider full reading glasses. These provide a larger field of vision for reading, but you will find that if you look up, the rest of the room will appear blurry.
Or, if you are considering the "half-eye" style reading glasses, these allow you to look down through the lens for near work and look up and over them to see in the distance.
Next, when considering which types of reading glasses suit, you best you will have to decide between ready-made or prescription glasses. You can get reading glasses custom-made from an optician, or you can purchase them over the counter at your local pharmacy and many other types of stores.
Over the counter, ready-made readers are considerably less expensive than custom eyewear. This means you can potentially own multiple pairs of reading specs; you always have a pair nearby. So this option might be a good idea if you are particularly clumsy or prone to losing things.
You can also purchase ready-made readers in plenty of fun styles and colors so you can experiment with what styles suit you best. And since they are inexpensive, you can try out all sorts of outrageous styles without risking any huge sum of money.
However, there is a drawing pack for purchasing reading glasses over the counter. They are "one-size-fits-all" items. The lens prescription in ready-made reading glasses isn't customized to each user's unique needs. For example, over-the-counter readers will have the same prescription strength in both lenses, and the location of the optical center won't be optimized for each wearer.
Most won't have the exact same prescription in both eyes, and almost everyone will have a small degree of astigmatism correction as part of their glasses prescriptions. Wearing reading glasses that are too far off from your actual prescription or have optical centers too far away from the center of your pupils can cause adverse effects. If you experience headaches, eye strain, and nausea as a result of your reading glasses, please visit your optician for a customized pair of readers.
Purchasing custom reading glasses enable you to receive a number of beneficial features not available in store-bought glasses. For example, you could add an anti-reflective coating to help eliminate eye strain. You could consider photochromic lenses, which protect your eyes from UV and high-energy blue light from digital devices and automatically darken in sunlight.
Prescription lenses are also much higher-quality. They are optically perfect with no distortions, waves, or bubbles in the lenses. However, such high-quality comes at a high price, and you will likely only own one pair of prescription reading glasses, so choose wisely.
What are reading sunglasses?
Reading sunglasses protect people from harmful UV rays and improve their near vision with a single pair of glasses. Like any eyewear, they come in various styles, brands, and lens types.
These sunglasses are also excellent for outdoor activities like gardening or enjoying a good book. More and more people find these dual-purpose sunglasses more convenient than switching between sunglasses and reading eyeglasses.
Are reading sunglasses worth it?
Reading sunglasses will be worth the price if you frequently wear more than one pair of glasses to function effectively daily. Besides the protection from UV rays, one can also see things close clearly.
You can also customize your sunglasses based on your style preferences, the type of lens you want to use, and the prescriptions that might come with the lenses. There are various manufacturers like Lensmart that accommodate such customization options. In most cases, people purchase their preferred design from one manufacturer and have these glasses customized to their liking by another eyewear manufacturer. On the other hand, some selling reading sunglasses can make customizations independently.
Types of reading sunglasses
One of the primary factors you must consider when buying reading sunglasses is their variations. In most cases, you'll encounter different kinds, so it pays to know their features ahead of time.
1. Polarized reading sunglasses. These lenses are specially made to rescue glare off of flat surfaces. Polarized reading sunglasses are excellent for reading and enjoying a book at the beach or pool. They sharpen the wearer's near vision, remove glare, and minimize eye strain from squinting.
2. Progressive reading sunglasses. The lenses on these sunglasses provide a line-free multifocal function allowing clear vision for various visual distances. This also can protect the eyes from UV rays. Remember that these sunglasses require a check-up from your eye doctor before securing one.
3. Full-lens reading glasses. Like progressive lenses, these sunglasses do not come with lines that can distract your vision. Full-lens reading sunglasses provide clearer vision when doing close-up tasks. They're great for people who have issues seeing up close but are fine without wearing them for other distances.
4. Bifocal reading sunglasses. These lenses come with magnified parts at the bottom to sharpen close-up visions. The unmagnified sections on top do not affect vision at all. If you're working outdoors and planning to take a break, you can wear your reading sunglasses and see clearly using the top portion.
5. Stick-on reading lenses. You can have these lenses attached to your favorite sunglasses. They're easy to remove and also fit in the insides of the sunglasses, so they're not visible from the outside.
Best Reading Glasses for Men and Women
1. Alwin Square Reading Glasses
As a pair of stylish tortoiseshell glasses, this Alwin glasses gives off a unique and trendy style, and the frame also provides a classic and elegant look. Its rounded square shape adds a modern touch to this glasses. This Alwin glasses is a perfect choice for those who want to spice up their style with a dash of trendiness.
2. Imani Round Reading Glasses
The frame of this Imani glasses is a pair of round glasses in a gracefully circular design. The super thin frame provides a modern touch and ensures maximum comfort when wearing the glasses. With adjustable nose pads, this glasses is also designed for added comfort and stability, making it perfect for those who want to add a touch of class and trend to their look.
3. Christopher Rectangle Reading Glasses
The Christopher glasses in grey color exudes a sense of classic elegance. This glasses is a pair of rectangle glasses, which is often considered a classic type for glasses, and the temple arms enjoy a minimalist style so that they can softly cup the ear. Its grey color adds a touch of understated style, suitable for both formal and casual occasions.
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