Reading Glasses

Prescription Reading Glasses

Prescription lenses can be installed in any glasses frame, to turn them into prescription reading glasses. Most reading glasses are considered "single vision", with just one viewing area. However, for many people that have a distance and a reading correction, multifocal reading glasses may be the answer. These would include bifocal reading glasses and progressive reading glasses.

Bifocal Reading Glasses

Bifocal reading glasses have two viewing areas with a visible line between them. Depending on your prescription, bifocals readers may have a distance correction in the top, or it may be clear. The reading portion of bifocal readers is in the bottom of the lens.

Progressive Reading Glasses

Progressive reading glasses have three view areas, and typically go by the name of progressive lenses. They have a viewing area in the distance, intermediate, and near distances, and with "no-line" between those areas. However, there are problems with progressive lenses and progressive reading glasses are no exception to that rule.

Computer Reading Glasses

Computer reading glasses are typically used just for the computer, which sits further away than a book, and so the power of the lenses is different from basic reading glasses. Computer reading glasses can include blue light blocking lenses; blue light reading glasses may cut down on the amount of harmful blue light that may be in the area. Computer reading glasses may also include anti-reflective coating to cut down on glare, and make for a more restful viewing experience.

Types Of Reading Glasses

Designer Reading Glasses

Designer reading glasses are really any eyeglasses frame. You can pick any eyeglasses frame, put custom lenses in it, and you will have made designer reading glasses

Cheap Reading Glasses

Cheap reading glasses are like cheap eyeglasses. We urge you to read our 10 Reasons To Avoid Cheap Glasses. Basically, they are unreliable, they look cheap, and the break at the most inopportune moments. Also, the lenses are so cheap that they are often difficult to see through.

Folding Reading Glasses

Foldable reading glasses allow a person to attach the glasses to a chain and wear it around his / her neck for easy access. Folding reading glasses fold up into a smaller package, making them more convenient to carry around.

Half Frame Reading Glasses

Half-Frame reading glasses are sometimes referred to as “Ben Franklin” frames. These reading glasses sit lower on the nose than regular glasses, allowing the wearer to look over the top of the half frames to see objects in the distance.

Some suggest that full-framed reading glasses should be worn by people who spend most of their day looking at objects or written material within about 12”-16” from their eyes. This type of reading glasses allows the wearer to clearly see close up items. If the person looks at something in the distance, however, it will appear blurry.  Progressive lenses alleviate this issue. Ask your eye doctor if progressive lenses would be better for your reading glasses.

Oakley Reading Glasses

Oakley reading glasses can be made from any Oakley glasses frame, just by adding custom lenses.

Round Reading Glasses

Round reading glasses can be made from any round glasses frame, just by adding custom lenses.

Rimless Reading Glasses

Rimless reading glasses can be made from any rimless glasses frame, just by adding custom lenses.

Monocle Reading Glasses

Although monocles were most prevalent in the late 19th century, and are less frequently worn today never the less, the monocle can have a corrective lens to enhance the vision in only one eye. Today some folks may feel that a monocle is more as distinctive fashion statement or affectation rather than a utilitarian reading glass, but at Eyeglasses.com we do carry several versions of monocles.

Pince Nez Reading Glasses

Another more unusual style of eyewear without the side earpieces and temple to support the frame and lenses is the pince-nez. Pince-Nez are anchored onto the bridge of the nose via several different methods.  They can be used as reading glasses or for distance depending upon the prescription of the lenses. Today you are more likely to see a character in a television series such as Poirot in Agatha Christie's Poirot), in the movies; "Meet John Doe," the classic Capra movie, the character of D.B. Norton wears an interesting pince nez, or the character Professor Tofty, a wizard working as an Examiner for the Wizarding Examinations Authority in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix features a pince nez, or in novels rather than someone in real life. Do you know the US president who wore a pince-nez? Answer: President Roosevelt .

What Is The Right Strength Of Reading Glasses?

In order to choose the correct strength reading glasses, you need to know your reading power. Some folks just try on various over-the-counter reading eyewear till they find a pair that seems to do the job. However, there are sites online where you down load and print out a pdf of a Diopter chart to help you determine what reading eyeglasses strength to buy. These types of eyewear may work in the short run. But major downside to this type of generic eyewear is it assumes both eyes need the same magnifying strength and there are no other vision issues or optical defects like astigmatism.

Unfortunately, wearing such mismatched ready-made reading eyeglasses can result in nausea, headaches and other symptoms of eyestrain. It is time to go to the optometrist or ophthalmologist and get a thorough eye exam. A pair of reading eyeglasses purchased with a prescription ensures that the wearer has the correct prescription for both eyes accounting for additional optical corrections.

Presbyopia and Reading Glasses

If you are over 40 years, the onset of presbyopia, which is the normal age-related loss of near focusing ability, may be the cause for needing reading. Just accept that the time has arrived for an eye exam and then a visit to Eyeglasses.com to choose designer reading glasses at prices below what you would normally pay at a retail optical store. Fortunately you can adjust font size on certain electronic devices like IPads, Kindles, Nooks, and other popular e-readers to make reading easier. But the time will eventually arrive when you will make the decision to buy a pair of reading glasses.

Drugstore Reading Glasses

In an attempt to perhaps save money and / or the time to go to the eye doctor for a thorough eye exam, many folks often purchase their first pair of reading eyewear at a drug store or department store from one of those ubiquitous counter carrousels holding eye. Over-the-counter eye are basically a simple single-strength magnifying lenses in a generic glasses frame. What makes over-the-counter reading glasses so convenient is you do not need a prescription, which is fine if both your eyes don’t have radically different vision levels. 

Glasses frames at this point may not be an important consideration, however, you will find a limited choice of over-the-counter reading frames, unlike the wide range of frame options you have at Eyeglasses.com. Once you know the “power” of the reading glasses lenses or have an actual prescription plus your Pupillary Distance (PD), you can easily order reading glasses at Eyeglasses.com where you can choose a frame that best suits your face and preferences. Usage and your own preference usually determines whether you need full frame or half frame reading eyewear. Eyeglasses.com offers both types.

Are Reading Glasses Bad For The Eyes?

Cheap reading glasses are bad for the eyes because the lenses do not provide the perfect correction for you vision, and as a result, you struggle to adjust. This creates excess tension, which could lead to headaches and other forms of stress. People try to save money by buying cheap reading glasses, but in the end the effort and the strain is not worth it.