Article 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 Glasses?

Quondam after the age of xl, you may notice that your vision isn't what it used to be, but you can still see relatively well. Then one day, the menus at restaurants are a scrap blurry and y'all find yourself squinting. Your optics feel strained at the end of the mean solar day, and you observe 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 most mutual signs and symptoms that you may be developing presbyopia, the clinical term for what happens to your eyes as yous age, creating the need for reading glasses.

Between the ages of twoscore and 65, most people'south optics go through a change that leads to presbyopia. The eye'due south lens, which contracts and expands cheers to the help of a circular muscle, becomes less flexible and more rigid over fourth dimension. This hardening of the lens prohibits the eye 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 caste of presbyopia during their life, and a simple visit to your eye doctor for an eye exam tin can confirm the diagnosis. Luckily, there are several piece of cake fixes to correct your reading vision! The about mutual solution is wearing a pair of reading glasses, also referred to every bit "readers." The Vision Quango's VisionWatch Report states that 26.2% of American adults aged 45-54 currently wear reading glasses — yous're non alone!

Finding Your Reading Spectacles Power

If you lot're going to be buying and wearing reading glasses for the showtime time, you'll find the words "reading power," "reading force," "reading magnification," and "diopter" used interchangeably – they all hateful the same affair. When information technology comes to reading powers, the lower the number, the less magnification there is in the lens. At Readers.com®, we carry powers +1.00 to +7.00, including quarter powers (+.25 increments) and one-half powers (+.50 increments) so you tin get the reading ability you demand.

There are several ways to decide which reading power is right for you:

Current Eyeglass Prescription

At your almanac eye exam, ask your eye doctor what reading ability you demand.

Power Finder

If yous have a current reading glasses prescription with the "ADD" ability listed, use our Power Finder Tool to make up one's mind the best reading ability for you. You lot can likewise use this tool if:

  • You lot have a pair of readers that used to work for you, but now things are a bit blurry and you believe you lot need a stronger power.
  • Or to go an estimated reading power based on your age range.

Printable Diopter Chart

This printable chart can be used equally a guideline to determine the best reading power for yous. If you tin can see 2 lines every bit clearly, choose the lower power. The nautical chart goes up to a +3.25 power, so if your vision requires a stronger ability, we recommend visiting an heart medico to find your reading ability.

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

How to Buy Reading Spectacles

Beginning your search for a pair of reading spectacles may seem daunting, but if you lot know the answers to the following questions, y'all'll be able to find the perfect pair of readers in no time!

What Reading Spectacles Lens Type Practise I Demand?

What's My Reading Glasses Fashion?

Knowing your personal style and the frame shape that looks best on you will aid you cull the perfect pair of readers! From classic frame colors to playful patterns, very narrow to very broad widths, and any frame shape imaginable, reading glasses aren't the i-size-fits-all spectacles they used to exist.

Here'due south a printable ruler to assistance you find a style in a size that will fit y'all all-time!

Where can I purchase reading glasses?

Many people volition debate over the all-time place to buy reading glasses, and it honestly comes downwards to what you lot're looking for in a pair of reading glasses. Over-the-counter (also called non-prescription) reading spectacles are commonly found at drug stores, discount stores, and other retailers, only did you know that yous can purchase reading spectacles online? If you have all the info mentioned in this guide, you're set to start shopping! Readers.com® is one of the largest online reading spectacles retailers, with more 500 unique styles! We understand it can be a little harder to buy reading glasses online, which is why we offering a simple 90-twenty-four hours return or substitution policy.

About Dr. Holly Vaught, OD

Dr. Holly J. Vaught, is the center dr. 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, master 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 Clan, 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]