Reading Glasses
Many people reach a point when they are not able to read things up close anymore. It often becomes more of an issue with age.
Types of Reading Eyeglasses
Reading glasses come in two main styles. The first is a full frame, which has an entire lens that has the reading prescription and the second is a style that sits down lower on the nose (glasses commonly known as the ‘Ben Franklin’ type of glasses) called half-eye glasses.
Full reading glasses are great for those people who spend a lot of time concentrating on close-up reading material. This is because if you are not looking at the book or item in front of you, everything else appears blurry.
Half-eye reading glasses allow you to look up and away while still easily reading what is right in front of you. People who have never needed glasses before generally start out with a pair of reading glasses instead of getting bifocals.
Some people use smaller, more inexpensive tools for reading before they get reading glasses. Small magnifiers that fold and are easy to carry in a pocket, wallet or purse are common. This is because reading restaurant menus is a common outing that people have some trouble with when they first realize they may need reading glasses. These things are temporary and you should really address any issues you have as soon as possible.
Tinted reading glasses are also available with UV protection for those who want to read outdoors in the sun. Read here for more about prescription sunglasses.
Why Prescription Reading Glasses?
Ready-made reading glasses are often available at your local pharmacy or department store. These became popular in the 90’s because they are less expensive and people could get various designs of frames for cheap.
Ready-made reading glasses are one-size-fits-all and like clothes, that doesn’t work for glasses either. Vision can vary greatly from person to person and many people have different prescriptions even between their own eyes. Ready-made glasses certainly don’t take into account things like astigmatism, but your prescription eyeglasses will.
If the ready-made reading glasses are far off from your prescription, you could experience headaches, nausea, and tired eyes, especially if you wear them for a while. Also, reading glasses are different from computer glasses. Reading is done much closer to your face and you may be straining your neck to see a computer screen with them.
The most important thing is to get a regular annual eye exam and your eye doctor will be able to help determine if you need reading glasses. He or she can help advise you on what will work best for you. Find an America’s Best location today so you can get your eye exam and glasses.
