Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGet an ExamOTC OptionsPrescription ReadersFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Get an Exam
OTC Options
Prescription Readers
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’ve noticed that you squint when you read, you might be wondering if it’s time to buy a pair ofreading glasses(a.k.a. readers). The process seems easy enough. While prescription options are recommended for some people, over-the-counter reading glasses seem to be available just about everywhere.
That doesn’t mean you should just use any old pair, however. Aside from different colors and styles, reading glasses come in different strengths. Which you should use depends on your vision and habits.
This article will help you learn how to buy reading glasses.
Verywell / Brooke Pelczynski
Schedule an Eye Exam
At around the age of 40, many people noticechanges in their vision.You may squint while reading or feel likeyour eyesdon’t focus up close like they used to. Your vision may also seem slow to focus from near to far.
Your vision changes are likely to be age-related, however,blurry visioncan also be a sign of aserious eye problemor disease.
Before you pick up a pair of OTC readers, make an appointment with aneye doctorfor a comprehensive eye examination.
What to Expect During an Eye Exam
This happens when thecrystalline lensesin your eyes become less flexible. It can also happen if the muscle that supports the lens gets weaker.
Over-the-Counter Reading Glasses
Over-the-counter reading glasses are simply magnifiers.Your provider will tell you if ready-made OTC readers are enough to help with your vision.
OTC readers are available at drugstores, big box stores, grocery stores, and even bookstores. You can also get them online.
You might want to also buy some cleaner and special cloth to keep the lenses in good shape, just as you would with a prescription pair.
What Strength Reading Glasses Do You Need?
The powers—or strengths—of reading glasses go from +1.00 to +4.00. These numbers are called diopters. They tell you how much magnification the lenses have.
Usually, powers go up in increments of 0.25. That means you don’t have to jump right to +2.00 if +1.00 is not enough.
Your provider will tell you which power to get. That said, make sure you tell them about your job and hobbies. These activities may change which power they recommend for you.
Everyone’s eyes are different, but people of different age ranges typically require certain strengths of reading glasses.
Will Cheap Reading Glasses Hurt Your Eyes?
Prescription Reading Glasses
Your eye health care provider may recommend that you get prescription reading glasses instead of OTC readers. Whereas OTC readers make things larger, prescription glasses address specific problems with your vision and correct them.
Here are a few reasons that your provider might recommend you get prescription lenses rather than an OTC pair:
Can I Wear Readers With Contacts?Yes. For example, you may have contact lenses to help correct an astigmatism and a pair of readers for reading. This is helpful, as you would otherwise need to switch between two pairs of glasses or between contacts and prescription glasses.
Can I Wear Readers With Contacts?
Yes. For example, you may have contact lenses to help correct an astigmatism and a pair of readers for reading. This is helpful, as you would otherwise need to switch between two pairs of glasses or between contacts and prescription glasses.
How to Read Your Eyeglasses Prescription
Summary
If you’re noticing that it’s getting harder to read as you get older, age-related eye changes might be to blame. But since serious eye health conditions can cause vision changes, make an appointment with your eye health provider to get your vision checked.
Frequently Asked QuestionsNo. Over time, your near eyesight may naturally get worse, which means you’ll need to switch to stronger readers. This has nothing to do with the use of readers, however.Generally speaking, there isn’t much difference in quality between an expensive pair of readers and an inexpensive one.
No. Over time, your near eyesight may naturally get worse, which means you’ll need to switch to stronger readers. This has nothing to do with the use of readers, however.
Generally speaking, there isn’t much difference in quality between an expensive pair of readers and an inexpensive one.
How to Improve Your Eyesight
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Optometric Association.Adult vision: 41 to 60 years of age.
Brown B.The Low Vision Handbook for Eyecare Professionals. 2nd ed. Slack.
American Academy of Opthamology.Tips for choosing the right reading glasses.
Zhang J, Wu Y, Sharma B, Gupta R, Jawla S, Bullimore MA.Epidemiology and burden of astigmatism: a systematic literature review.Optom Vis Sci. 2023;100(3):218-231. doi:10.1097/OPX.0000000000001998
Hughes A, Fylan F, Elliott DB.What are patients' beliefs about, and experiences of, adaptation to glasses and how does this affect their wearing habits?Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2021;41(5):1034-1047. doi:10.1111/opo.12867
American Academy of Opthamology.Can I buy OTC glasses for nearsightedness?
Schott Technical Information.TIE-28: Bubbles and Inclusions In Optical Glass.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.How to Choose Eyeglasses for Vision Correction.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Tips for Choosing the Right Reading Glasses.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.How to Choose Eyeglasses for Vision Correction.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Tips for Choosing the Right Reading Glasses.
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