The Book on Buying Reading Glasses The Book on Buying Reading Glasses

Oh presbyopia, you old so-and-so. Most of the “gifts” you give us are ones we wish we could return, but we must admit you do give us the opportunity to add some serious sparkle to our wardrobes in the form of snazzy new eyewear. 

If you suspect presbyopia has visited you, here’s what to look for to know for sure. You’ll likely find yourself squinting a whole lot more often than normal, and you’ll notice that you need to hold books or other reading material at arm’s length in order to make out the words. You also may be getting headaches, experiencing blurred vision, and requiring more lights on all the time to see clearly. These changes can come on rather quickly, so even if it’s been less than a year since you last visited your optometrist, it’s a good idea to make an appointment if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms. 

Still not sure if you are ready for readers? Find the answers you are looking for in our blog appropriately titled: How Do I Know if I Need Reading Glasses. Now that you know what to look for, read on to find out how you and your presbyopia can co-exist peacefully.

Allow us to give you a crash course on knowing your strength. Reading glasses work by magnifying all the information that reaches your eyeballs, making it easier for you to focus on close-up activities like reading, writing, and putting together Lego castles with your nephew. Their strength refers to the amount of magnification your eyes require, and it’s measured in units called diopters. We offer diopters ranging from 0.00 to +4.00. Most people start at a reader strength of +1.00 and go up from there as they age. If you’ve left it a bit late and things are looking more than a little blurry, you’ll want to start at a higher strength.

We always recommend making an appointment with your optometrist to most accurately pinpoint your reader strength, but if you’re a die-hard DIY-er, our Reader Strength Test is your best bet. All that’s required is a printer and your eyeballs, and you’re well on your way to becoming exceedingly well-read. And exceedingly well-outfitted, of course.

Now that we’ve gotten the technical piffle out of the way, it’s time to revel in presbyopia’s serious silver lining: shopping for a fabulous new pair of readers. Can we get a “Hallelujah”? Here’s everything you never knew you needed to know about purchasing a pair of readers on the interweb, from lens types to finding the most flattering frame for your face.

If you haven’t perused our previous section on pinpointing your reader strength, please do NOT pass go and collect your new reading glasses. We know you want to skip to the fun part, but the diopter you need is inarguably the most essential part of finding your perfect pair. Make sure you’re sure of your strength before laying your eyes on our stunning selection of readers.

Once you know your strength, take a moment to reflect on how you plan to use your new readers. Yes, there are multiple types of reader lenses to choose from, and yes, you should have a look before jumping the gun and purchasing a pair that doesn’t suit your lifestyle. Are you someone who stares at screens quite a bit, or a staunch analog enthusiast? Do you prefer to read from the comfort of your air-conditioned living room, or outside on your patio? Can you trust yourself to keep track of multiple pairs of glasses? Your answers to these questions will help you choose your lens type. Peep our lens guide for more in-depth info.

Standard reading lenses

Our traditional reader lenses are suitable for most up-close activities. They come equipped with your reader strength throughout the whole lens, as well as scratch-resistant and smudge-proof coating. 

Blue light readers

If your reading habits involve reading on your phone, laptop, or tablet, or if you’re staring at your computer at work all day, our blue light readers will be your saving grace. They have all the features of our traditional reader lenses while also coming equipped with blue light blocking tech that may rescue you from eye strain and headaches. Add them onto your reader lenses for just $40 and doom scroll to your heart’s content. 

Progressive readers

If you need multiple types of vision correction, our progressive readers were made for you. They host both your near and distance prescription, with the different focus areas blending seamlessly together.

Reading sunglasses

At last, you need not choose between enduring the sun’s glare and not being able to see the page in front of you. Our reading sunglasses come fully tinted, and host your reader strength along with 100% UV protection and anti-reflective coating.

Here’s the part where we convince you that your presbyopia is, in fact, very much in vogue. Our selection of readers is vast and varied, and no matter your head size, face shape, and personal tastes, you’re sure to find a pair that suits you. 

Get in shape

We’re referring to the shape of your frames, of course; the only exercise we actively encourage involves moving your eyeballs up and down a page. To determine the frame shape you should be seeking, simply look to your own face. 

Size-wise, our frames range from narrow to average to wide, guaranteeing that you’ll be able to find a frame that fits your noggin. As a rule of thumb, your eyes should sit right in the middle of your lenses, the arms of your frames should fit evenly along your face and rest comfortably behind your ears, and your frames themselves should be slightly wider than your face. Peruse our Fit Guide for a more precise run-down.

The shape that will be the most flattering on your face depends on … well, your face. Allow us to direct you once more to our Fit Guide to see your perfect frame take shape. In general, those with more angular features will look stunning in softer, rounder shapes. For our rounder-faced folks, look to frames with sharper angles to balance you features. And if you’re somewhere in the middle? You’ve been blessed with looking good in practically everything. We’re impressed and a little jealous.

Are your frames forever material?

Forget choosing between style and substance; our reading glasses have plenty of both. Simply look to our wide range of materials, colors, and patterns to prove it. No matter your criteria for your spec-tacular soulmate, you’ll find a frame that checks all your boxes.

We offer two different frame materials: acetate and metal. Acetate is higher-quality and thicker compared to plastic, making it easier to incorporate groovy patterns and eye-catching colors into the frame. Look no further than our Lake & Harriet collection to see some seriously striking examples. We use luxury, Italian-designed acetate – only the best for you, our fearless readers.

Metal frames, on the other hand, tend to be lighter-weight and super strong, so they might be a good match for anyone who prefers a barely-there feel or has a tendency to fumble their frames. We use stainless steel, which is far more metal than other metals (read: stronger and more durable).

Color-wise, our wide and wonderful world of frames is truly your oyster. Whether you prefer to stick with classic tortoise or black frames or you’re looking to flip the script and explore eye-watering hues, we’ve got you covered.

Have a pair in mind yet? Look at you go. We’re very proud. Once you’ve identified the frame that makes you say “that’s SO me,” along with your reader strength and lens type of choice, you’re ready for action. The action in question being, of course, checking out and then anxiously checking your mailbox five times a day until your frames arrive.

At checkout, you’ll need to select your reader strength. You’ll also need to provide us with your distance prescription if you’re going with progressive lenses. There are a few different ways to do so: you can upload it from your device during checkout, submit it via email to rx@eyebobs.com, or authorize us to get it straight from your eye care provider. Your new reading glasses will then be created in a state-of-the-art lab and delivered unto you. Yes, it really is that easy.