Do I Need Reading Glasses?

When people reach their 40s, often the print on books, newspapers, and menus seems to be shrinking. It's not, of course, it's just what happens to the eyes to those over 40—and for those adults who have always had 20/20 vision, the recognition that they may need reading glasses can be quite an adjustment.

By their early forties, most adults begin to grow farsighted, meaning that they have trouble seeing close-up objects and thus have problems reading. Distance vision may remain just fine. When blurred near-vision has started to take over, it is time to consider buying reading glasses.

Reading Glasses Types

There are a variety of choices to be made about the type of reading glasses to purchase. Reading glasses can come in a full size, meaning that they can easily be used for close-up reading work but will need to come off otherwise. Trying to look across a room or other larger space won't work while wearing such glasses. Instead, all the wearer will see is fuzzy images. But for someone who does quite a bit of close-up work, and will thus wear their reading glasses for prolonged periods of time, these glasses may be the right choice.

If reading glasses are necessary just for the occasional novel, directions, or restaurant menu, however, half glasses may be the right choice. Sometimes known as “granny glasses,” these are a half-eye pair of glasses. This means the user can easily look over the top for distance vision, but can also look down and through the lens at paperwork or other reading material easily.

Both full glasses and half glasses can be purchased without a prescription at common strength levels at a pharmacy, at an eye doctor’s office, or online.

Also, if a more temporary reading tool is needed, such products as the ever-portable magnifying glass-type lens may be ideal. It is simply a matter of deciding what you need and selecting the glasses or vision aid best for you.

Reading Glasses Prescriptions

One consideration in choosing reading glasses is the strength of your prescription. Some individuals who need only slight vision correction may be able to get by without a prescription. But, for those who find themselves frequently coming buying new glasses to try on a stronger prescription level, it may be time to consult an expert.

The easy availability of inexpensive off-the-shelf reading glasses should not get in the way of taking proper care of your eyes. Visiting an eye doctor for an exam in case prescription reading glasses or even bifocals are necessary is always good idea. If a person reports headaches or neck strain more often than in the past, it might be better to get a more custom, prescription solution as well.

Computer Glasses

Additionally, for those who do a lot of computer work, computer glasses designed for the distance from the eyes to the computer screen, not reading glasses, are probably the best solution. Reading glasses do not work well as computer glasses and can contribute to eye strain.

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