When considering what type of reading glasses you want to wear, you have to make a lot of decisions. For instance, you can choose between multifocal reading glasses, fully magnified lenses, reading sunglasses and other options. 

What are the perks of having glasses with anti-reflective coating, and is it worth it for you?

Read on to find out. 

 What Is Anti-Reflective Coating, Anyway?

In order to determine whether an anti-reflective coating is right for you, let’s break down what it is and how it works. Anti-reflective coating is a coating on your lenses that helps prevent bounce-back glare from going through your lenses and hitting your eyes.

Anti-reflective coating is also known as AR coating and anti-glare coating. This coating can be either on the back or front of your lenses. 

This coating is an effective way to significantly reduce the amount of light that reflects off your glasses. Instead of reflecting off your lenses, this optical coating allows more light into your line of vision. 

How Does Anti-Reflective Coating Help?

In short, an anti-reflective coating can help reduce reflections. Anti-reflective coating can help reduce these reflections from causing discomfort or difficulty seeing while also allowing other non-reflected light to brighten up your line of vision and increase clarity by reducing reflections.

Perks of Anti-Reflective Coating

If you use glasses with an anti-reflective coating, you’ll experience a number of benefits. For example, you’ll be able to enjoy increased clarity and reduced reflections. 

Did you know that anti-reflective coating can help you look better in photos? If you’re in photos often or communicating with clients and coworkers over video chat, light may reflect off your glasses and make it difficult for others to see. Plus, if you’re talking with clients or coworkers, they may be less able to read your facial expressions while you’re talking. Anti-reflective coating helps reduce this. With this lens feature, you’ll be able to look great in photos, reduce reflections from your glasses during video calls, and help others see and read your facial expressions. Enjoy a stylish statement with anti-reflective coatings on lenses. 

Is Anti-Reflective Coating Right For You?

If you’re unsure whether an anti-reflective coating is right for you, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

Do You Want More Light To See?

By reducing reflections, anti-reflective coating allows more light through lenses. 

Do You Video Chat Often?

If you video chat during most workdays, it can be frustrating to deal with reflections bouncing off your lenses. This can be especially frustrating if you’re meeting with potential clients, investors, or business partners.

It’s important for potential clients to be able to see your eyes and read your facial expressions while talking with you, so using anti-reflective lenses can help. And, if you’re in a lot of photos, AR lenses can help you look your very best in these as well. 

If you work at your computer and want to reduce reflections, consider these anti-reflective blue light glasses. Not only will you stay stylish and comfortable, but you’ll also help your clients and employees see you better too.

Fashion Forward AR Lenses

If you’re wondering whether an anti-reflective coating is worth it, the answer is yes, they absolutely are.

When it comes to comfort and fashion, you don’t have to compromise. Many of our Readers.com® styles come with anti-reflective lens features so you can enjoy all the benefits of minimized reflections without having to compromise on style! 

From retro to funky to classic frames, there’s a pair for everyone. 

Sources:

6 Benefits of Anti-Glare Coating For Your Glasses | Visions Center 

What are the advantages of anti-reflective coatings on eyeglasses, if any? | AAO 

For example, if you have what is called a “nearsighted refractive error,” you’ll need a pair of prescription glasses to help you see better. If you have astigmatism, you’ll need a pair of prescription glasses as well. These both need to be prescribed by an eye care professional. 

Reading glasses, however, help correct farsighted refractive errors and presbyopia. While these are specifically designed to enlarge words, they can also be worn all day, even if you’re not reading. Reading glasses are an excellent tool for anyone to use, and you don’t need a prescription or eye exam to buy a pair.

Figuring out what kind of glasses you need is important. This guide walks you through how to know if you need reading glasses and which kind you need so you can keep your eyes feeling their best. 

4 Signs You Might Need Reading Glasses

Here are a few signs you might notice that indicate you need reading glasses. If one or more of these sounds familiar to you, it may be time to invest in a stylish pair of readers.

1. You’re Between the Ages of 40 and 65

The first indicator that you might need reading glasses is your age. As we get older, our eyes may change in ways that can make it more difficult to focus on objects and words. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, this change is known as presbyopia and can begin at the age of 40.

If you’re between these ages and notice changes in your vision or difficulty focusing, it might be time to get a pair of reading glasses. Below are some of the changes you may notice that also indicate you may need readers.

2. You Have To Hold Reading Material Far Away

The most common indicator that you need reading glasses is holding reading material farther away to see it more clearly. Think of the last time you were at a restaurant. Did you need to hold the menu at arm’s length in order to read it? Or think of the last time you answered a text message. Did you read it and type your response at a normal distance, or did you need to hold it further away in order to see? 

If you have to hold reading material away from your eyes to focus on it, you could need reading glasses. Readers will enlarge the text for you, making it easier for your eyes to focus on the letters and make the words out without the extra efforts of squinting, extending your material at arm’s length, or having a trusted friend read the message for you.

3. Your Eyes Tire Easily

If you notice your eyes tiring more easily than they used to, reading glasses may help. Next time you use your phone or computer, read a book, or try to focus on smaller details, pay attention to how your eyes feel. 

Do they get tired more quickly? Do you notice increased discomfort after using your eyes than you used to? Do you need to give your eyes more frequent breaks while reading? If you notice any of these changes, a pair of readers can reduce the effort your eyes use while reading and help them stay comfortable.

4. You Never Have Enough Light

Feeling like you never have enough light while reading is another indication that you may need reading glasses. Do you find yourself needing to read with more light than you used to or having to turn on multiple light sources to read clearly? Is it more difficult to make out letters because the light seems too dim? 

Many people prefer reading in a well-lit area, but if dim light is posing a difficulty, this could also be a sign that you need a pair of reading glasses.

What Can Reading Glasses Do To Help?

These changes take place gradually, so you may not notice them right away. Simply keep an eye out for the indicators that you need a pair of reading glasses. Wearing glasses is a simple solution to presbyopia and an excellent way to keep your eyes safe and at ease while focusing on smaller text and details.

Reading glasses have a few important characteristics that help them do their job. First of all, reading glasses’ lenses are convex in shape. This means they’re the thinnest on the outside of the lens and thickest in the middle. The convex shape helps correct the effect that presbyopia has on the eye.

Presbyopia occurs when the lens muscles of the eye become hardened and unable to constrict so they can focus on nearby objects and words. So, reading glasses use their convex shape to help enlarge text, making it easier for the lens and cornea to focus on smaller details up close. 

Reading glasses are also available in ranges from +0.25 to +7.00 and beyond, so no matter how small or developed your presbyopia is, you can find the right strength for you. In fact, you can find your reading glasses strength from the comfort of your own home. Read on to learn how!

How To Find Your Reading Glasses Strength

Diopter Chart Method

Use the diopter chart method at home by printing off this helpful diopter chart. Hold it exactly 14 inches away from your face and remove your reading glasses. Start at the top line and read it. If it’s blurry, move down the list until you reach a line that you can read clearly without reading glasses. 

This line will have a number with a plus sign next to it, representing the reading glasses strength you need. If both eyes have different reading strength needs, repeat this process twice, covering one eye up each time. Then, simply choose a style and glasses type you like and select your reading glasses strength. 

Tons of Styles To Choose From

In the past, some people have gone to their local drug store for new specs. However, these glasses are often dull and may not come in the color or style you are looking for that works best for your face shape. They also rarely come with polarized, blue light, or multifocal lenses. What’s more, is when many people try them on, these glasses end up scratched and dirty. 

When looking for hundreds of options for stylish readers delivered straight to your door, head to Readers.com. With our Happiness Guarantee, you can try on glasses to really see if they meld with your life and look with our 90-day return policy and limited warranty. If you need assistance, there is always a person—not a robot—to see to the problem. 

With Readers.com®, it’s never been so easy to find a look you love. 

Sources:

Previous What Is Presbyopia? | AOA

Whether you’ve noticed your vision changing over time, have trouble focusing on smaller text, or just want to promote your eye comfort while reading, a pair of reading glasses can help. 

What Do Reading Glasses Help With?

What are reading glasses? To answer this question, it’s important to look at what they help with and then how they help. 

Reading glasses help with a condition known as presbyopia. This condition usually begins around middle age and can develop until around age 65. Presbyopia is a completely normal process that most people’s eyes go through when they’re older, and it is easily addressed with a pair of readers. Let’s take a closer look at what this condition is and why it affects vision. 

When functioning regularly, two structures in our eyes, known as the lens and cornea, refract light and bend it in order to process images. The muscles around the lens also work to relax when focusing on the objects in the distance and constrict when focusing on objects close by. 

However, as we get older, these muscles can harden and become less flexible. So, when looking in the distance, we may still be able to see clearly and focus easily, but when looking at words and objects up close, it can get difficult to focus on them. 

You’ll notice a few telltale signs of presbyopia, such as needing to hold newspapers, books, or your phone farther away in order to read them. It may become difficult to check your watch, read prices at the store, and perhaps make out details in photos. You may also experience difficulty when reading and you may need to squint in order to see better. 

If this sounds familiar to you, not to worry. Reading glasses are an easy way to help your eyes focus like they once did.

Here’s how reading glasses work:

How Do Reading Glasses Work?

Reading glasses work like a magnifying glass, which means the edges are the thinnest point while the middle is much thicker. This helps enlarge the text you’re reading and makes it easier for your eyes to focus on words and objects up close without needing to hold them far away.

Reading glasses differ in terms of strength, meaning there are different levels of enlargement you can choose. The strength you need will depend on how far your presbyopia has developed or how much assistance you want.

Reading glasses are available in a range of diopters in +0.25 to +0.50 increments, from around +0.25 to +3.50 in most retail locations, with higher  strength diopters available through eyecare professionals. There are many different ways to find your reading glasses strength, and using this reading glasses guide will show you everything you need to know!

Who Can Wear Reading Glasses?

Anyone with presbyopia can use reading glasses to help their eyes focus on material more easily without having to move it far away. However, you don’t have to have presbyopia or poor vision in order to wear reading glasses. 

Anyone can wear reading glasses to increase comfort while reading, prevent squinting and overusing their eyes, and help make focusing on objects and words easier. You can also wear reading glasses all day long to make it easier to focus on smaller details. 

What Kind of Reading Glasses Are Right for Me?

Reading glasses are available in all kinds of styles and types, so there’s a pair for everyone. Here are some of the most common types of reading glasses and what they do, so you can decide which pair is right for you. 

Traditional Readers

When you think of reading glasses, you likely think of fully magnified readers. These are readers with the same reading strength throughout the entire lens. They’re great for those who tend to wear their reading glasses while working and reading. 

These come in a variety of styles, including brightly colored frames and classic tortoise metal frames.

Bifocal Style Readers

Bifocal style readers describe reading glasses that have unmagnified lenses which also contain inserts with the magnification of your choice in the lower portion of the lenses. The upper portion is unmagnified for distance vision, interacting with others, and doing regular tasks where you don’t need reading glasses. 

This is a great option for those who frequently switch between reading text and interacting with others or using their distance vision. You can wear these all day or only when you need them. 

Discover our best selling bifocal style readers here. 

Reading Sunglasses

Reading sunglasses are another popular type of reading glasses. They offer the UVA-UVB lens protection necessary to keep your eyes safe and happy in the sun, which is vital to supporting eye health and vision, as stated by the American Optometric Association. In addition to this, reading sunglasses offer you the help you need focusing on the smaller text. With reading sunglasses, activities like reading by the pool and more are suddenly available.

Our reading sunglasses come with a variety of lens tint options, so you can choose a color you enjoy, and that also fits your needs! You can also choose fully magnified reading sunglasses or bifocal style reading sunglasses as well. 

Choose Your Style

Once you decide what type of reading glasses are best for you, it’s time to choose your frame. 

When it comes to choosing the right frame shape, it’s essential to keep two main things in mind:

• Check that your glasses will fit your face. Glasses, much like people, come in a range of different shapes and sizes.

This is simply a guideline, however. If you want to go for a bolder look, you can use a similar frame shape to your facial features, choose a bold color, or even use a pattern to stand out. You can also look for thick frames, clear frames, and geometric-shaped frames to stand out from the crowd. To pick a frame, look at our Readers.com® sizes: our frames come in different sizes for frame height, temple length, and bridge sizes. Take a minute with a measuring tape to ensure a fit that you will love.

• Think about your face shape. While this isn’t a necessary step, some people find a face shape chart to be helpful. Generally, with fashion, opposites attract. So people who have more angular faces might like round frames. People with round faces might love a square frame. 

Ultimately, the best pair of glasses for you is one you feel confident in and helps you feel and see better. 

Readers for Any Occasion

What are reading glasses? Reading glasses are one of the ways to address concerns like presbyopia and difficulty reading. They do this by enlarging text, making it easier to focus on small print and fine details.

You can use reading glasses wherever and whenever you like to increase eye comfort and make reading easier. Use these resources to figure out what reading strength is best for you and how to buy your first pair of reading glasses.

No matter what your style, at Readers.com®, there’s a pair of reading glasses for everyone.

Sources:

Presbyopia: Overview – InformedHealth.org | NCBI Bookshelf 

Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses in Children – Health Encyclopedia | University of Rochester Medical Center 

Ultraviolet (UV) protection | AOA 

Why does eyesight deteriorate with age? | Scientific American

You sure can, but the ease of doing so depends on the type of adjustment and frame material. Our optical experts will take you through adjustments that you safely try at home.

MeMetal frames onlyPlPlastic frames only

The Easy Fixes

These glasses adjustment methods are safe to try on your own with little risk. Your glasses are fragile, so be sure to use caution any time you’re making an adjustment.

The Problem: Your glasses are sitting too high.
The Fix: Hold your glasses with your non-dominant hand and use your thumb on your dominant hand to gently push out on the plastic nose pad. Do this to both sides until they sit comfortably on your nose.

The Problem: Your glasses are sitting too low.
The Fix: Hold your glasses with your non-dominant hand and use your thumb on your dominant hand to gently push in on the pad arm (behind the nose pad). Do this to both sides until they sit on your face comfortably.

The Medium Fixes

These adjustments are rated as medium difficulty. You can try them at home, but you’ll need to be extra cautious.

The Problem: Your glasses are sliding down your face.
The Fix: Run the earpieces under really warm water (not boiling, but as hot as you can get it from the faucet) for a few minutes. Gently bend the earpieces slightly downwards to add curve.

The Problem: Your glasses are too tight on the backs of your ears.
The Fix: Run the earpieces under really warm water (not boiling, but as hot as you can get it from the faucet) for a few minutes. Gently bend the earpieces upwards to relax the curve.

The Problem: Your glasses are too wide on your temples.
The Fix: Secure the lens with your non-dominant hand and softly push in on the end piece with your dominant hand. Do this to both sides to tighten the fit of your glasses on your head.

The Problem: Your glasses are squeezing your temples.
The Fix: Secure the lens with your non-dominant hand and softly pull out on the end piece with your dominant hand. Do this to both sides to loosen the fit of your glasses on your head.

The Hard Fixes

CAUTION You’ll be better off leaving these adjustments to an optician. Trying these at home without the proper tools and skills can damage your glasses.

The Problem: Your distance vision isn’t quite right. You might be able to find a focal point but not for long.
The Fix: Your lenses likely need to be moved further away from your eyes to adjust your focal point. See an optician to add retroscopic tilt to your lenses.

The Problem: You’re having trouble reading up close.
The Fix: Your lenses likely need to be moved closer to your eyes. See an optician to add panoscopic tilt to your lenses.

The Problem: Your glasses are either too tight or too wide on your temples.
The Fix: With plastic frames, you should see an optician to make this adjustment.

Hope this helps!

Our team would be happy to walk you through an adjustment over the phone or to simply give you more advice! Give us a call at 1-800-210-3975

About Dr. Holly Vaught, OD

Dr. Holly J. Vaught, is the eye doctor at Vaught Family 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: Readers.com® is not liable for damage that occurs while adjusting your glasses or readers at home.

If you wear glasses, this can be tricky, since glasses are worn on your face and you typically handle them with your hands. But don’t worry; the information below will give you a polished understanding of how to keep your glasses and your eyes clean during this global pandemic.

How Do You Keep Bacteria From Getting in Your Eyes?

In order to keep bacteria from getting into and affecting your eyes, you must keep your hands clean by washing them frequently. Hands and fingers carry more bacteria than any other place on the body, which is why touching your face is such a threat. If you must touch your eyes for any reason, it’s critical that your hands are thoroughly washed first.

Bacterial and viral eye infections can also be prevented by keeping your distance from individuals who are showing signs of an eye infection. Maintaining a safe distance from friends and family who are ill can help lower the number of infectious germs that are spread.

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) and other bacterial infections are the most common to affect your eyes. Treatment for conjunctivitis depends on what kind you have, such as bacterial or allergic. Prescription ointments, eye drops, and allergy medications are often prescribed and are typically very effective in clearing symptoms quickly.

It’s also possible to get a viral strain of conjunctivitis. While antiviral or steroid eye drops may be needed in severe cases, viral eye infections normally resolve on their own.

Preventing infection is almost always more effective than treating it, so washing your hands is of the utmost importance. Ensuring your hands and fingers are clean is the best way to keep from spreading germs.

How to Properly Wash Your Hands Before Handling Eyeglasses

Washing your hands every time you do something as routine as handling your glasses can seem tedious.

But think about how many times you touch your glasses throughout the day: to push your glasses up when they slide down your face, to take your glasses off to clean the lenses or to remove your reading glasses when not in use. Whether you are a glasses wearer or not, hand-washing is essential when practicing diligent personal hygiene.

There is no “incorrect” method to washing your hands, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend these steps for the most effective hand-washing:

1. Turn water on at a conservative pressure — enough to rinse your hands, but not enough to waste.
2. Apply soap to hands and rub them together, creating a lather. Don’t forget between your fingers, under your nails and the backs of your hands.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need help keeping time? Try singing the 20-second chorus from one of these well-known songs while washing your hands.
   – “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi
   – “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees
   – “Jolene” by Dolly Parton
   – “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac
   – “Happy Birthday” (twice)
4. Thoroughly rinse your hands with clean water.
5. Use a clean towel to dry your hands and turn off the tap using a towel or your elbow.

How Do I Clean and Disinfect My Glasses?

If your glasses become contaminated or dirty (which can happen from a variety of sources) having clean hands won’t be much help against an eye infection. Cleaning your glasses regularly is a great way to maintain best hygiene practices and preventing any bacteria from getting near your eyes.

Cleaning Your Glasses

Once your hands have been washed, take your glasses off and run them under a low-pressure stream of lukewarm water. This will remove any debris or dust that has collected on the lenses and frames.

Apply a small drop of dish soap to each lens. The soap should be free of any lotions to avoid leaving streaks. Gently massage the soap on both sides of the lenses and the entire frames, reaching all the nooks and crannies.

After sudsing your glasses for a minute or so, rinse them under the water. Examine the hinges and lip where the lenses meet the frames to make sure no soap residue is left. Remove excess water by gently shaking your glasses then dry them off with a clean, lint-free towel.

In this time of social distancing, self-isolation and, for some, quarantine, using the recommendations above will leave your eyes — and your overall health — in tip-top shape.

“The best way to do this is no different than cleaning our hands,” Essilor of America’s eye doctor spokesman, Dr. Ryan Parker, O.D., says.

So what are the specifics of eyewear sanitation? We’re glad you asked.

The Secret to Sanitizing Your Glasses: Keep it Simple!

When it comes to cleaning your glasses, Parker advises, “Using hot water and lotion-free soap will do the trick.”

Soaps with lotion or a heavier consistency can leave behind residue, so these are best to avoid.

“You would want to stay away from soaps that have those abrasive beads in them,” Parker says. “Simple soap and hot water will clean the lenses, remove bacteria and viruses, and be safe for all parts of the glasses.”

So, stick to the basics, and you will get the job done.

What Kind of Solution Can I Use to Clean My Glasses?

Although household disinfectants are great for removing smudges on most surfaces, Parker advises that when cleaning your glasses, it is best to “stay away from household glass cleaners, as they have chemicals in them that can damage certain lens coatings.”

Lens cleaners are available online, but you can also make your own eyeglasses cleaning solution.

“A diluted solution, 70% isopropyl alcohol, is useful,” Parker says. “It should not pose any issues to good-quality lenses, but one should be careful because it can remove some ink and dyes from the frame.”

Drying Your Glasses Also Requires Precaution

Protecting your glasses includes being mindful of what you use to dry them. “It is best to use a soft cloth when drying eyeglasses and to avoid paper products like paper towels and facial tissues,” Parker says.

Soft cloths are best to use to protect your glasses. You also can take pride in the fact that you will not be wasting paper when drying your specs, especially since products like paper towels can be especially hard to find during the coronavirus pandemic.

Wondering how to make sure your glasses stay clean throughout the day? It’s as easy as keeping a microfiber cloth in a clean, easily accessible place, such as a glasses case.

Most importantly, keep those hands clean. This will keep you and your glasses germ-free and safe from other contagions, essentially protecting you from the coronavirus as well.

SEE RELATED: How Did My Readers Get So Dirty?

How to Effectively Wash Your Hands

Diligent hand-washing can be a challenge (it’s easy to forget to spend 20 seconds at the sink after every trip outside, for instance), but it’s the easiest way to make sure you are staying protected from viruses and germs.

Cleaning your hands is especially important before you take off or put on your glasses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend taking the following steps for proper hand-washing:

1. Turn water on low — just enough to get your hands wet.
2. Apply soap and lather by rubbing your hands together.
3. Scrub your hands for 20 seconds — between your fingers, on the backs of your hands and under your fingernails. Try singing a 20-second chorus from one of your favorite songs to keep time.
4. Rinse your hands thoroughly with fresh water.
5. Dry your hands with a clean towel, then turn off the water using a towel or your elbow.

Once your hands are washed, clean your glasses. Parker’s tips will help ensure that your eyewear is free from germs and coronavirus.

Though we are living in a period of uncertainty, especially regarding our health, proper hygiene practices are the best way to protect ourselves and others from the spread of germs.

SPENDING MORE TIME IN FRONT OF A SCREEN LATELY? Check out our selection of computer reading glasses to help protect your eyes.

Luckily, you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). An FSA is a pre-taxed savings account provided by your employer. The plan is supplementary to healthcare insurance and allows you to deposit money into the account to be used on eligible medical expenses, including eye care.

You can save an average of 30% on any approved vision-related expenses. Here’s how to keep yourself seeing well and looking great while saving money.

↓ Click to enlarge infographic ↓

What is an eligible FSA expense?

Most FSA plans cover out-of-pocket expenses not eligible or covered by healthcare insurance. This includes eye exams, vision supplies, office visit copays and wearable vision products for both you and your family.

Coverage, however, may differ by FSA plan, so check with your employer for a complete list of approved services and items.

Here is a list of the most common eligible vision-related products:

Reading Glasses

If you’re the type of person who needs readers, you’ll be glad to know reading glasses are FSA-eligible. This includes frames and custom lenses, as well as accessories. You can also purchase over-the-counter reading glasses without a prescription at your local drug store or online.

Prescription Eyeglasses

The general rule of thumb is if you have a prescription from an eye doctor then it is FSA-eligible. This includes frames in a variety of shapes, sizes, styles and various lens types. You can also add anti-glare and scratch-resistant coatings to your lenses, both are covered. Specialty lenses are also considered an approved expense, which means scuba masks and sports and safety goggles with prescription lenses can be purchased with your FSA dollars.

Prescription Sunglasses

Many people don’t realize that prescription sunglass lenses are FSA-eligible items. This includes photochromic, polarized, and mirrored lenses. But, you must have a prescription or a doctor’s note for your plan to consider sunglasses as an FSA-approved expense. Most over-the-counter non-prescription pairs are not covered.

Contact Lenses and Care

Wearing glasses all day isn’t for everyone. If you are more of a contact lens wearer, then you know contacts and contact solution costs can add up.

Good news is both are eligible FSA expenses. And, you have a variety of contact lenses to choose from to find the most comfortable fit for your eyes. Approved items include toric, multifocal, bifocal, and disposable lenses.

Annual Eye Exams

Everyone should get an annual eye exam, even if you think your vision is perfect. Eye exams help catch any potential issues you may have with your vision or eye health. Optometrists can even check the health of the blood vessels in your eye, which can be a warning sign of bigger health issues in your body. Locate an optometrist near you and use your FSA to pay for the exam.

Additionally, your FSA plan covers eye care accessories and services such as LASIK. Check with your plan’s provider or your employer’s benefits coordinator for a complete list of FSA-approved items.

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The good news is your FSA is easy to use and can help you get that much-needed eye exam or that new pair of reading glasses for work. The bad news is that you need to make sure to redeem all of your funds by the end of the calendar year or you will lose them. So, let’s get to spending, shall we?

↓ Click to enlarge infographic ↓

What can you get with your FSA?

You can use your FSA funds to pay for eligible out-of-pocket healthcare costs, which include vision care products and services. Eye doctor visits, copays, and eye exams are all covered. Reading glasses and accessories contact lenses; and prescription glasses and sunglasses are also considered eligible expenses. Even LASIK surgery is on the list. For a complete list of FSA-approved services and products, contact your plan provider.

How can I pay for eligible expenses?

Most providers give members an FSA card to pay for eligible products and services. Once the card is activated, you use it the same way you would a bank-issued credit or debit card. Transactions are instantly verified. Most drugstores even have a system in place that filters out non-eligible expenses so you can pay for your eligible expenses in the same transaction as non-eligible items. Plus, you can also use your card to pay a copay at an eye doctor’s office and for eligible online purchases, including reading glasses and accessories.

Don’t forget to save the receipt, though. FSA cards may make managing your purchases and funds easier, but your employer may still request that you submit a paper receipt for a purchase.

How do I get reimbursed?

While the FSA card is far and away the easiest way to pay for eligible expenses, it’s also not the only option. You can also pay for expenses out of your own pocket and submit receipts for reimbursement. Sometimes, this is necessary when a store or website doesn’t accept FSA cards or if your provider doesn’t offer them (Yes! Readers.com accepts FSA cards as payment).

Most FSA providers make the reimbursement process relatively pain-free. If you have access to a computer and a smartphone, simply follow the provider’s instructions for logging onto their online FSA platform.

There, you will see a section or a button prompting you to file a new claim. Each system varies, but they will all ask you to provide the date of the transaction and a copy of the receipt. Don’t have a scanner? No problem. You can also take a photo of the receipt using your mobile phone.

If your provider doesn’t accept photos, download an app like Camscanner that converts an image into a portable document format (PDF). Once you’ve completed the requested information and uploaded a copy of the receipt, you’ll receive a check in the mail shortly afterward.

Spending your FSA money is so easy that you may quickly start adding more and more items to your shopping list. Don’t forget that purchases like reading glasses, contacts, and even sunglasses can be eligible expenses. If you need a last-minute idea for using the rest of your annual balance before the end of the year, consider upgrading your eyewear or buying a new pair of readers to last you through the year.

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What can your FSA do you for?

An FSA is a special account that allows you to deduct pre-taxed dollars from your paycheck — contributed throughout the year — to pay for certain out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including vision expenses. FSAs are offered through employers and are in addition to your company-provided healthcare plans.

You can control how much you contribute annually — up to $2,700 a year for individuals and $5,400 for dependents as of 2019. Your contributions can pay for vision-related expenses, including an eye exam and over-the-counter reading glasses. Here’s a comprehensive list of FSA-eligible expenses.

When does my FSA expire?

You have until the end of your benefit (generally, calendar) year to use any funds in your FSA before they expire Additionally, if you leave your job, you forfeit any remaining dollars in your FSA. If you’re terminated from your job, any eligible purchases made on the same day can be submitted for reimbursement. Any purchases made at a later date are ineligible.

Employers, however, may provide an exception to the “use-it-or-lose-it” FSA rule. They may allow you a 10-week grace period during which you can still spend the remaining balance after the calendar year. Or, employers will sometimes allow you to rollover a maximum of $500. Be sure you know your employer’s policies in order to optimize your experience.

How to not lose your FSA money

If the end of the year is near and you still have a remaining balance in your FSA, run through this checklist:

• Have you gotten an eye exam this year? Find an eye doctor near you
• Do you need an extra pair of reading glasses?
• Do you need a pair of reading sunglasses for the beach?
• Are there any FSA-eligible expenses you forgot to submit for reinmbursement?

Next, check the list of FSA-eligible eye care products and services. Your FSA will reimburse you for eligible vision expenses, including:

• Reading glasses
• Reading glasses accessories
• Prescription eyeglasses
• Prescription sunglasses
• Contact lenses and lens care products
• Lasik
• Copayments and deductibles
• Annual eye exams

Make your appointments, and don’t forget to use your FSA card while there. If you do forget to use your FSA card, rest assured that you have 90 days after the end of the year to submit receipts and file a claim with your provider to be reimbursed.

But, you only have 12 months to use it, so budget and plan appropriately.

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To help you find that pair of glasses you swore you had a few minutes ago, we created this guide and flowchart on places you may have left your reading glasses. We also share tips on preventing losing your glasses again. Let’s get started:

1. On Your Face.

Gotcha! You should have seen this one coming. It happens in all the movies, but not to anyone real. Now move on to the rest of the possible locations.

But seriously, are they on your face?

2. By a Book.

Where do you read? In your bed? On a La-Z-Boy? Outside? Check there. It’s very likely that you took your glasses off to read, especially if you’re nearsighted and are thus comfortable with images at close distances. If you wear reading glasses, you might have left them at this scene of the crime once you were done. Check there, and then check inside the book. Slim reading glasses can double as bookmarks.

3. On Your Shirt Pocket.

You have two pairs of glasses: reading and regular. When you use one, you store the other clipped on your pocket, because you haven’t gotten around to getting a glasses case. And it just so happens…you changed shirts earlier today. Or it escaped you to remove them from your shirt last night. Go, ravage your wardrobe, scrounge your room, and dig through the hamper. Your glasses are in there somewhere, they’ve gotta be.

4. In The Bathroom.

If you’ve washed your face or showered in the past 24 hours, and hopefully you have, you presumably didn’t do it with your glasses on. You left them in the bathroom.

5. At Your Computer.

Youre reading this, so you’re at your computer. Are they right by your fingertips? Or perhaps you’re reading this on a mobile phone — hurry, check your computer. If you’re like me, nearsighted, taking your glasses off when using the computer can be a good rest for the eyes.

6. On Your Dog.

Do you have a dog? Do you like cute things? If so, you’ve put your glasses on your dog. It might have been today that you did that. Or maybe it wasn’t today, but your glasses have been growing on your dog, and he’s taken the initiation to improve his eyesight. Good for him, but how did he know his prescription?

Lost My Glasses Flowchart

How did you do? If the above ideas didn’t solve the problem, try using our “Where did I leave my readers?” flowchart below to track down those glasses. Because we understand glasses struggles.

If you found your readers, good for you! If not, check out our huge selection of reading glasses and snag a pair for every room in the house.

How to Not Lose Reading Glasses

Now that you’ve located your missing glasses or readers, let’s cover a few tips on how to avoid losing your readers again in the future:

• No matter where you think you’ve put them, always check the top of your head first! Even if they’re not there, at least you don’t feel silly when that’s the 5th place you’ve checked. There’s nothing worse than asking someone if they’ve seen your glasses when they’re sitting atop your head, or worse, on your face.
• For those who are just as forgetful as me in this area, you may want to invest in a reading glasses chain. They’re inexpensive and come in a variety of colors and styles. You can get a basic black nylon strap or a more feminine beaded chain that can serve as an accessory to an outfit.
• A less conspicuous route would be to train yourself to keep them in their case, which more specifically should be kept in the same place every time. Designate a pocket in your purse or a place on your nightstand to keep the case where it is convenient. I am often too tired to get up and put my glasses away before falling asleep so I just leave them out on my nightstand. A better idea is to keep the actual case right there as well so that if you read or watch television in bed, you can just reach over and put your glasses away.
• Another helpful idea when using your glasses case is to choose a glasses case that stands out. Look for one with a distinctive pattern or color so that you don’t have to dig through a large purse or search all over your room to find it.