No matter how good your eyesight is, there’s one pair of glasses you’re almost certain to buy in your lifetime: reading glasses. When you find yourself squinting at your daily paper or holding your phone at arm’s length to read a text, it’s time to buy some reading glasses. But choosing the right pair of reading glasses doesn’t have to be a chore! Let’s talk about how to pick the ideal pair for you.
Choosing the Right Pair of Reading Glasses
There’s no reason to be embarrassed about using reading glasses. Virtually everyone does at some point! The reason for this is a condition called presbyopia. This is caused by the eventual hardening of your eye’s clear lens. When you’re younger, the lens is flexible, and can adjust to see things at various distances. However, age causes the lens to harden, and it becomes difficult for your eyes to focus on things at close distances. This can cause headaches and eye strain. If you’re over the age of 40 and this sounds familiar to you, it might be time to buy reading glasses.
It’s important to note that presbyopia isn’t always caused by aging, especially if you’re relatively young. It can be a warning sign of conditions like diabetes or other eye-related issues. Any time you experience a change in your vision, it’s time to schedule an eye exam. Once your doctor confirms it’s presbyopia instead of another condition, it’s time to start choosing the right pair of reading glasses.
The good news is that reading glasses aren’t hard to find. You’ve probably seen racks of reading glasses at your local grocery store or pharmacy. However, you can’t just walk in and buy any pair you see! Take your time. To ensure you’re choosing the right pair of reading glasses, keep these details in mind:
The Right Magnification
The number one most important aspect of any pair of reading glasses is magnification. Unlike a prescription pair of glasses, which has lenses that are precisely adjusted to your vision, reading glasses use units of magnification called diopters. Diopters are units that increase by .25. and tell you how “strong” your reading glasses are. Reading glasses start at 1.00, and go to 3.00, the highest level of magnification. As a general guide, you can choose your starting magnification based on your age. Bring some reading material with you, and try to read it wearing a few different pairs of glasses. You’ll find the right pair for you!
The Right Frames
Magnification is important, but it’s not the only thing to consider. Think about how often you read things every day: reading a book, looking at your phone, using a computer at work. You might be wearing your “readers” more than you think! So look for frames that fit your face and are comfortable to wear. Make sure they don’t pinch your nose or temples, or slide down your nose as you work. Also, if you’re fashion-forward, don’t ignore glasses as an accessory! Glasses can add a fun pop of color to your outfits, and the right frames can flatter any face. Why not experiment a little? Enjoy a little glasses fashion show.
The Right Accessories
While you can just buy a pair of glasses and toss them in your pocket, that’s not your best option. If nothing else, it’s a great way to end up with a pair of scratched or broken glasses. Buy a protective case to make sure if they’re dropped or hit, they don’t take any damage. If you’re looking at your reading glasses as a fashion accessory, a glasses chain or straps will let you wear them like a necklace (and ensure make sure they don’t get lost!). Make it easy to take your reading glasses everywhere you go.
_____
Your first pair of reading glasses will not be your last. You’ll need to routinely update your prescription throughout your life. Be sure to keep your optometrist in the loop!
Reading glasses are just one of the many tools you can use to take care of your eyes. If you live in southwest Missouri, Heffington’s is here for you. Since 1975, the Heffington family has been assisting the Springfield community with top-quality eye care and affordable eyeglasses and contacts. Whether it’s a simple eye exam or a new pair of glasses, we’re ready to help! To learn more about what we can do, send an email to asktheexperts@heffingtons.com or give us a call at 417-869-3937 (Optiland location) or 417-882-3937 (House of Vision location). We hope to hear from you soon!