Do I need reading glasses?

By middle age, the ciliary muscles in your eyes start to weaken.

These muscles 'squeeze' the crystalline lens in your eyes which helps you focus on things close-up. 

Simultaneously, this crystalline lens begins to harden too which makes it more difficult to squeeze and achieve focus.

Thankfully, reading glasses help your close vision, within 30cm from your face.

This explains why reading glasses aren't ideal for computer work as the screen is generally beyond 30cm.

See below.

The three vision zones

Single vision lenses give optical correction for a single type of vision.

Reading glasses are a sub-type of single vision lens, specifically for close vision, as described below.

• Close vision: within 30cm (reading & writing.)
• Intermediate: arms length (computer work.)
• Distance: beyond arms length (driving or watching TV.)

On your prescription

You'll know if you need reading glasses by checking for these two details on your prescription paper.

• Your SPHERE (SPH) box contains + digits to correct hyperopia (farsightedness.)

• Your ADDITION (ADD) box contains + digits, meaning you can use multifocal lenses such as bifocal, vaifocal or anti-fatigue lenses.

Ordering reading glasses

If your optician has recommended reading glasses, you can order them here.

For help, raise a support ticket and we can help you select the right lenses.

Click here for more information about reading glasses.

Thanks for stopping by.