If you’re in the market for reading glasses, we have great news for you! There are more types and styles available today than ever before. Gone are the granny glasses of the past. Today, you can find reading glasses to compliment nearly visual every need and personal taste.
By the time you’ve decided to get reading glasses, you probably already know there’s a problem. If you find yourself holding reading material at arm’s length or have problems with headaches, eye strain, or blurred vision, it’s time for a change. Especially if you’re over the age of 40, these could be symptoms of presbyopia. Presbyopia also has similar symptoms to other kinds of more serious eye problems, such as cataracts or glaucoma.
For that reason, it’s worth considering visiting an eye doctor. Only an ophthalmologist can accurately evaluate whether you have presbyopia and how to manage it. It’s a natural part of aging, so it’s more a matter of when you manifest presbyopia than if.
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Types Of Reading Glasses
If you’re in the clear on eye problems and just need a little boost in your vision, you’re sure to find something you like among the many types of reading glasses available today. Let’s take a look at five of the most popular types of reading glasses and who they work for.
- Fully Magnified Lenses
These look like regular glasses but they have a fixed power over the entire lens. Single vision glasses are great for those who are either farsighted or nearsighted; you can’t get both solutions in one pair of single vision glasses. These help wearers see up to 18 inches.
- Bifocal Lenses
If you struggle with aspects of both nearsightedness and farsightedness, then bifocals may be just right for you. They contain two different prescriptions within their lenses. For nearsightedness, the focal length is about 12 to 18 inches from your face. For farsightedness, the focal length is about 21 inches and beyond. Bifocal lenses have a noticeable horizontal line that distinguishes one focal length from the other.
- Multifocal Lenses
Multifocal lenses have three different vision powers in a single set of lenses. These are a great choice for those showing signs of presbyopia, allowing a little bit of correction at every turn. For mid-range vision, look straight ahead. For farsighted vision, tilt your head slightly upward, and for nearsighted vision, slightly downward. The differences are subtle but dramatic. Multifocal lenses lack the distinctive lines that bifocal lenses have.
- Blue Light Lenses
Blue light lenses are designed specifically to ease eyestrain from looking at digital screens. They can be fully magnified, partially magnified, or multifocal. All of them feature technology that reproduces color accurately but cuts down on the dreaded blue screen glare. There are also unmagnified options that include blue light technology only.
- Reading Sunglasses
Often available with fully magnified or bifocal lenses, these glasses offer the perks without having to squint in bright daylight. The bifocal versions may be unmagnified except for a reader portion near the bottom. That way, you get the benefits of the tinted lenses but no distracting magnification except where you need it. There are also polarized versions available.
Frame Styles
Most human faces are similar, with a nose and two ears that can support any pair of glasses. The vast majority of frame styles are designed around exactly that, so there are only a handful of basic frame options. These styles have a bit more to do with how you want your glasses to function, but you will certainly have aesthetic choices to make, too.
- Full Frame Readers
These have the highest, widest, and overall broadest coverage of all frame types. If you like gazing out over the top of your glasses, it will be challenging to do so with full frames.
- Half Frame Readers
These are magnified to correct for nearsighted vision but have reduced height to give you an unimpeded distance view. They’re usually worn closer to the end of the nose for reading up-close.
- Rimless And Semi-Rimless Readers
If you like the look of all-lense-all-the-time, then these are for you. Rimless frames have virtually no frame at all, with just the bridge and temples present. Semi-rimless may have a frame only above or below the lenses, in addition to the bridge and temples. These are lightweight and offer the least obstruction to your view.
The Eyes Have It
Now that you know the types and styles of reading glasses available, you can decide on how to make them uniquely yours. While the basics of the types and styles are pretty constant, the shapes and colors are almost infinite! There is no doubt that you’ll be able to find the right glasses that speak to who you are, in addition to giving your eyes the boost they so badly need.