There are many different reasons why you may want or need to wear glasses. Two main categories of glasses are prescription glasses and reading glasses.

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. 

 

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