How to Use Reading Glasses

If things are looking a bit fuzzy, you may need to wear reading glasses to see more clearly. Reading glasses are designed to compensate for the loss of near vision such as the sight you use to read, sew, or see anything else up close. There is a multitude of styles, sizes, and strengths of reading glasses available and numerous places to purchase glasses.

Please make sure to consult an eye care professional before purchasing or wearing any type of eye-wear.

How to Determine if You Need Reading Glasses

Typically, anyone forty years of age or older need to wear reading glasses to correct presbyopia (diminished near vision). Any of these may be a sign you need glasses:

• Needing to pull items away from you to see them more clearly at a distance.
• Blurred vision when reading small print.
• Experiencing eye strain on the words on a computer screen.
• Getting headaches from trying to focus on objects at a close distance.
• Inability to focus in dim light.

What to Do if You Need to Wear Reading Glasses

If you've determined that you do need a pair of reading glasses, it's important to figure out what strength you need. A visit to your optometrist will shed light on the condition of your eyes so you know if regular readers are enough to correct your eyesight or if you need prescription strength.

Your eye doctor will give you an eye exam. The doctor will then let you know the power of glasses that will make objects easier to read and to see, such as the print on the screen of a computer. Vision correction may be as simple as reading glasses that are 1.00 to 1.25 power range readers or it may take a prescription lens to correct your vision.

Time for a Change?

Failure to start wearing corrective lenses for presbyopia can result in headaches, eye strain, or deterioration of reading. Presbyopia is not to be taken lightly and should be determined by an optometrist since you only get one set of eyes. You may need corrective eyewear at any age including prescription-strength lenses or just a pair of reading glass readers. Presbyopia should never be ignored but should be diagnosed by an eye care doctor.

If you have worn eyeglasses before that are not working for you now and you can't see fine print (like a restaurant menu or book), no matter how long you've worn them, it is time to change the strength of your reading eyeglasses. Glasses should remedy your vision problem completely when reading books, reading a sign, and even conducting other tasks up close that don't involve reading.

Otherwise, you need reading glasses or a vision check-up to change your current reading glasses. Reading glasses that are not the right strength can actually damage your vision so be sure your glasses provide the right corrective lens.

Seeing should be free of straining or squinting with your eye lens when reading and in daily tasks. Anytime reading small print causes issues with your vision, it's time to attend to the matter.

Where to Find a Pair of Reading Glasses

Once you have determined the details and extent of your vision presbyopia, it's time to search for a pair of glasses. If the eye doctor gave you a prescription for prescription reading glasses because your eye exam revealed your vision needed more correction than counter reading glasses, you can typically purchase a pair of reading glasses from an optical shop or you can generally conduct your eye shopping online.

Purchasing Readers Online

Since you can't try corrective vision lenses on when buying your glasses online, you will need to know the strength your reading glasses need to be. Wearing glasses should allow your eyes to see clearly at any distance, regardless of your age. Some children even need glasses.

You will find a menu on the page related to such details as types of frames, how strong the readers are, and anything else related to the selection. On the website page, you will also see a variety of colors that are available for the lenses and for the frames. Some sites even have information available that will assist you in deciding what shape and color are optimal for you.

Inquire

If you have questions at all about reading glasses, customer service should be able to assist you. Buying glasses or sunglasses that are not the right magnification can result in headaches and loss of the ability to do tasks like seeing objects that are close, regardless of how close you hold them. It's better to spend as much time as you can be sure than finding out the hard way that they don't work for you.

Return Policy

Be sure if you buy glasses online that you check to make sure you can return them if they don't work out. Most places allow you to do so but don't forget to confirm you will be allowed to if there's a problem and to find out any and all stipulations concerning the process.

Purchasing Readers at an On-site Shop

Generally, you can find readers at a location close to you if you search the computer online or contact stores to see if they carry counter reading glasses. You can then see in person if you find the style of glasses or sunglasses you like.

Trying Them On

One advantage to choosing your eyewear in person is that you can try the glasses or sunglasses on to make sure the frames look good on you and to ensure the lenses are the right strength for your eyes. Don't settle for any that aren't perfect for you - in the fit, feel, and in all other realms.

Try the glasses or sunglasses on and focus your eyes on objects that are close to your eyes and try them in dim light as well. It is best to do each eye separately and to vary the distance with each eye to see if you can focus.

Making the Most of Your Reading Glasses

Reading glasses are a wonderful invention that is able to enhance your vision and your life. Before reading glasses, people couldn't see properly plus had to suffer from the symptoms of not having the benefits of reading glasses. Rather than thinking of your reading glasses as a burden, it is helpful to appreciate them for what they are...a way to optimize your sight.

Friendly Reminder

Remember that seeing your eye care professional is always recommended. We in no way advocate going without examinations. Your eyesight is much too precious to take chances on so be sure you are following all suggestions your eyecare professional makes. You can never be too sure or too safe.