Commodity reviewed past Dr. Holly J. Vaught, OD

Determining if you need readersfinding your reading glasses powerhow to buy reading glasses

How Do I Know If I Need Reading Spectacles?

Onetime after the age of 40, yous may notice that your vision isn't what it used to exist, but you tin notwithstanding see relatively well. Then ane day, the menus at restaurants are a scrap blurry and you find yourself squinting. Your optics feel strained at the end of the solar day, and y'all find yourself holding your phone out at an arm's length to read your text messages. Does this audio like you?

These are some of the nearly common signs and symptoms that you may exist developing presbyopia, the clinical term for what happens to your eyes as y'all age, creating the need for reading glasses.

Betwixt the ages of 40 and 65, nigh people's eyes go through a alter that leads to presbyopia. The center's lens, which contracts and expands thank you to the aid of a round muscle, becomes less flexible and more than rigid over time. This hardening of the lens prohibits the centre from contracting to focus on close-up objects, which is what causes fuzzy vision when trying to read.

Although this may sound frightening, everyone develops some degree of presbyopia during their life, and a unproblematic visit to your eye dr. for an eye exam can confirm the diagnosis. Luckily, there are several like shooting fish in a barrel fixes to correct your reading vision! The most common solution is wearing a pair of reading spectacles, also referred to as "readers." The Vision Council's VisionWatch Report states that 26.2% of American adults anile 45-54 currently article of clothing reading glasses — you lot're not lone!

Finding Your Reading Glasses Power

If you lot're going to be buying and wearing reading glasses for the starting time time, you'll find the words "reading power," "reading strength," "reading magnification," and "diopter" used interchangeably – they all hateful the same thing. When it comes to reading powers, the lower the number, the less magnification there is in the lens. At Readers.com®, we carry powers +ane.00 to +7.00, including quarter powers (+.25 increments) and half powers (+.50 increments) so you can get the reading power you demand.

In that location are several ways to make up one's mind which reading power is correct for you:

Electric current Eyeglass Prescription

At your almanac center exam, enquire your heart doctor what reading power you need.

Power Finder

If yous accept a electric current reading spectacles prescription with the "ADD" power listed, use our Power Finder Tool to determine the best reading power for y'all. You can too use this tool if:

  • You take a pair of readers that used to piece of work for you, but at present things are a scrap blurry and you believe you lot need a stronger power.
  • Or to get an estimated reading power based on your age range.

Printable Diopter Chart

This printable chart tin be used as a guideline to determine the best reading power for you. If y'all can see 2 lines every bit clearly, choose the lower ability. The chart goes up to a +3.25 power, so if your vision requires a stronger power, we recommend visiting an eye doc to observe your reading ability.

Visit our What Reading Spectacles Power Do I Need? guide to learn more.

How to Buy Reading Glasses

Get-go your search for a pair of reading glasses may seem daunting, just if you lot know the answers to the post-obit questions, you'll be able to observe the perfect pair of readers in no time!

What Reading Glasses Lens Type Do I Need?

What's My Reading Glasses Style?

Knowing your personal mode and the frame shape that looks best on you volition help yous choose the perfect pair of readers! From classic frame colors to playful patterns, very narrow to very wide widths, and any frame shape imaginable, reading glasses aren't the 1-size-fits-all glasses they used to be.

Hither'southward a printable ruler to assist you find a style in a size that volition fit you all-time!

Where can I purchase reading glasses?

Many people will debate over the best place to purchase reading glasses, and it honestly comes down to what you're looking for in a pair of reading spectacles. Over-the-counter (likewise called not-prescription) reading spectacles are normally institute at drug stores, discount stores, and other retailers, but did you know that yous can buy reading glasses online? If y'all have all the info mentioned in this guide, you lot're ready to start shopping! Readers.com® is one of the largest online reading glasses retailers, with more than 500 unique styles! We empathize it can be a little harder to purchase reading glasses online, which is why we offer a unproblematic ninety-day return or exchange policy.

About Dr. Holly Vaught, OD

Dr. Holly J. Vaught, is the middle medico at Vaught Family unit Eye Care in Franklin, Indiana, where she provides comprehensive services for patients of all ages. In 2009, she graduated with honors from Indiana University School of Optometry. Her training includes the areas of diagnosis and treatment of common ocular diseases, primary care, contact lenses, and pre- and post-op care for refractive and cataract surgeries. Dr. Vaught is a member in good standing of the American Optometric Association, the Indiana Optometric Association, and Women of Vision.

Disclaimer: All references to "bifocals" herein refer to readers having unmagnified lenses containing a "bifocal style" single powered reading glass insert located in the lower portion of the lenses.

[Updated: January 2020]