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Writer's pictureDr. Stella Hennen

101 On Reading Glasses

Updated: Apr 22, 2019

If you don’t think you’ve reached middle aged, the need for readings glasses can be a wake-up call.  If you start holding your reading material farther away in order to see it better, chances are you need reading glasses.


Most people need reading glasses sometime after their 40th birthday, say experts.  As we age, our eyes become less mobile, making it more difficult to focus on objects that are close to us.


If drugstore reading glasses are your preference, here are some tips for buying a pair that best suits your needs:


Find the right power. All reading glasses will have signs or stickers indicating their strength or power. They often range from +1 to +4 diopter, in increments of +.25. Most eye care professionals recommend that you try the lowest power (+1) first.  So, for example, you will see glasses marked 1.25 or 1.50.


Try them. If you’ve brought reading material with you, try reading it at a comfortable length. If you are still having trouble reading at a normal distance, try a stronger pair.  Keep testing the different powers until you can read clearly at a comfortable distance.


Bigger frames are usually better. It’s better to try larger frames for your first pair.  That way you get used to the power of the lenses more easily than small lenses and frames.  You can always buy a smaller or more fashionable pair later.


If you would like to schedule an eye exam with Dr. Hennen to have your eyesight evaluated, please contact Eye Care MPLS at 612-470-9871 or eyecarempls.com.

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