09/19/2022
What are reading glasses?
Reading glasses, available in over-the-counter or prescription versions, improve the ability to read something up close, such as a book or a computer screen.
When do you need reading glasses? Just about anyone in their 40s and beyond will, at some point, need reading glasses. Reading glasses help compensate for diminished vision related to presbyopia, the normal age-related loss of the ability to focus on up-close objects, such as words in a book or a text message on a smartphone.
How do I pick the right reading glasses for me? Visit with your eye care professional. Experts recommend a yearly eye exam to check for problems like glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration, even after you’ve gotten reading glasses. For computer work, most people can get by with low-power reading glasses (+1.25 to +1.5). For reading things that are closer, stronger glasses might be in order (+2.0 to +2.5). As you age, the power you need likely will increase.
