All About Readers

Chances are most of us will need reading glasses eventually. It's okay. While it may sound like some sort of cult, Presbyopia is actually a pretty harmless and natural effect of aging. So don't fight it, embrace it. It's a chance to look cool, smart, creative and stylish, while actually being able to read that menu.

Presbyopia                                                                                                                                                                  Very smart and scientific-like researchers in white coats estimate that more than one billion people wordlwide have Presbyopia, and about half of those people do not have adequate corrective lenses. That number is projected to increase to nearly 1.37 billion by the year 2020.

Presbyopia is a natural condition that usually kicks in around age 40 (along with sore knees and the desire to drive a Corvette).  As you age, your eye lenses harden and can no longer change shape to focus on close objects like they used to.

You have two options: Get yourself some reading glasses, or squint, though that causes little wrinkles around the eyes that no one really seems to want.

And every two or three years, you're going to need to get a new pair, upping the power to overcome the effects of aging. So why not get a pair that looks great on you? Readerboutique.com can help you with that!

So are reading glasses safe to wear? Yes. Every day, eye care professionals are recommending simple magnifying reading glasses to their patients who need help reading small print. The thing is, reading glasses are not intended to replace an eye examination by a trained, and licensed eye care specialist. So go see an honest-to-goodness eye care professional once a year.

Contact Lenses and Reading glasses
Now maybe you're thinking, "I don't need reading glasses, I wear contact lenses." Wrong, Mister Smart guy. While there may be truth to that, some contact wearers may require a little help from a pair of reading glasses at some point.

Contacts are designed to correct your underlying vision issues. For example, if you're nearsighted, you can't see distances clearly without contacts or glasses. The opposite is true for you farsighted folk. Even so, reading glasses may be necessary when you're reading fine print, in low light.  Even some hobbies are going to require readers so you can actually see what you're doing. You wouldn't want to drill that hole in the wrong place would you?

Lasik Surgery Patients and Reading Glasses
Did you know that if you're over 40 and you undergo LASIK eye surgery to treat your near sightedness, or distance vision, you still may need reading glasses for all that up-close stuff? Welcome to the world of Presbyopia, in which the lens of the eye progressively hardens, making it more difficult to read small print.  LASIK surgery corrects near sightedness but may in fact hasten the need for reading glasses to help with near vision tasks.

Cataract Surgery Patients and Reading Glasses
A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision.  Some common symptoms are: cloudy or blurred vision, colors that seemed faded, and poor night vision.  Most cataracts are related to aging. Although, you don't have to be a senior citizen to get a cataract, cataracts are more common in older people - in fact, by age 80, more than half of all Americas either have a cataract, or have had cataract surgery. Some patients may need reading glasses after undergoing cataract surgery for close vision.  Your doctor will be able to determine what is best for you based on your current vision and goals. But remember: Only you can decide whether that bright green pair with the rhinestones works for you or not.

Sun Readers
Sun readers are just like regular sunglasses, but with bifocal readers at the bottom of the lens. So not only will you be able to see every detail, you'll also look cool and Hollywood. And trust us, wearing a pair of regular sunglasses over your readers while lying on the beach - that ain't Hollywood.

Now, if you're new to bifocals, it'll take awhile to get used to them. Start out just sitting and reading. Eventually, you may be able to walk, talk, and chew gum while wearing them. One thing though: because they're bifocals, you shouldn't drive in sun readers.  Even in the Corvette, Mister Over 40.

Computer Readers
The American Optometric Association estimates that over 125 Million adults suffer from symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome. Fortunately, while you're here at the computer anyway, you can get a pair of computer readers. Their specially-designed lenses reduce eye strain, blurred vision and all sorts of problems that come with being on the computer all day, whether its part of your job, or you just like looking at really awesome websites that sell readers.

That blue light that comes from your monitor makes your eyes work harder, causing blurred vision, muscle strain, eye discomfort and headaches. But A-HA! The amber lenses in computer readers filter out blue light. Genius! And then there's the anti-reflective coating that gives you even more protection from fluorescent lighting and glare.

One thing to remember: Your monitor isn't as close as normal reading materials, so you'll need to choose a half-power weaker than your everyday reader. But no worries, the amber lenses make you look at least eleven-times more powerful.

Disclaimer: The information and reference materials on this website are intended solely for the informational purposes of the reader. This information is not intended to diagnose health problems and does not replace the advice, diagnosis or treatment of an eye doctor or medical professional. No representations are made and no responsibility is assumed for the information contained on this website. Contact your eye doctor or a medical professional directly if you have any questions concerning your eye health or the information contained on this website.