Best Reading Glasses

If you are struggling to focus on the words on a page, or are finding you need to move your book to focus your eyes, you may need to consider a set of reading glasses. Of course, any issues you suspect you have with your eyes do need to be checked out by an eye doctor to rule our eye disease, but many times these issues are minor and can be quickly corrected with a low focus lens.

If you suspect reading glasses may be for you, take a closer look at the following article that explains exactly what they are, why you might want a pair, and how easy they are to obtain. Our top best reading glasses are listed below to provide you some quality, affordable options for quick vision correction.

Rank	Product	Highlights
#1	6 Pack Reading Glasses by BOOST EYEWEAR buy now	Strengths: 1.0 – 4.0 diopter Quantity: 6 Case Included: no
#2	Success Eyewear Reading Glasses Compact Folding Glasses buy now	Strengths: 1.0 – 3.5 diopter Quantity: 2 Case Included: yes
#3	Gaoye Progressive Multifocus Reading Glasses buy now	Strengths: 0.0 – 3.5 diopter Quantity:1 Case Included: no
#4	Peepers by PeeperSpecs Women’s Center Stage Oversized Blue Light Filtering Reading Glasses buy now	Strengths: 0.0 – 3.0 diopter Quantity: 1 Case Included: no
#5	Memory Lightweight Titanium Stainless Steel Rimless Reading Glasses with Light Lenses buy now	Strengths: 1.0 – 3.5 diopter Quantity: 1 Case Included: yes

What Are Reading Glasses?

Reading glasses can be both over the counter or prescription and allow for the close up focus of things like a computer screen or book, and allow you to read more clearly. They are generally designed for short term wear, such as only when you are reading, only up close focus (no long distance clarity is needed), and for people who have the same vision needs in each eye.

Most lens power ranges from +1 to +4, but if you struggle with blurry vision, or feel you have different lens needs from one eye to the other, you may want to consult with an optometrist and get a prescription for more accurate focal needs.

Why Are Reading Glasses Needed?

As you age, your eyes become less flexible, and may not focus as well when transitioning from far to near surfaces. This condition is called presbyopia, and most people notice they may have an issue when they start moving reading material further from their eyes to focus properly. You may also find your eyes hurt when you do close up work, such as sewing, or you struggle with headaches from time to time.

Types of Reading Glasses

There are actually 5 different types of reading glasses, and each can work to ensure you see clearly. Some may require a prescription, however, so if you find your OTC option isn’t working for you, be sure to consult your eye doctor.

Single Vision

These are by far the most popular lenses and can be found for both far or near vision needs. These are what you often find for OTC reading vision needs. They are inexpensive and designed for use only when you need to focus on the distance you are struggling with as they don’t transition from one to the next.

Bifocal

Bifocals are also often found as an OTC choice for minor focal issues. These are marked by a line on the glasses that provide far distance clarity on top, and nearsighted clarity on the bottom. Prescription options may be needed if vision differs from one eye to the next or it is strong or weaker than + or – 4 diopters.

Progressive

Progressive readers can be found as an OTC choice also and provide three different powers on the same lens. No lines are marked on the lens, but by shifting your head, or looking through the top, middle, or bottom of the lenses.

Task Specific

These more or less will require a prescription and are made for a specific task at a specific distance. These are often popular for computer use.

Trifocals

Trifocals are similar to progressive lenses, but have a line marking where each transition occurs. These are generally for stronger vision needs and require a prescription.

How to Pick Reading Glasses

It isn’t hard to find what you need for reading purposes. OTC reading glasses are easy to find at local pharmacies, and online. Most people choose to have multiple pairs and leave them in various places in the house for easy access, rather than carry them around. They are inexpensive, so misplacing a pair isn’t a big deal, but can be annoying if you don’t have a backup.

To figure out what you need, take into account the lens powers available to your eyes. They start at a +1 diopter, and go up by .25 to +4 diopters.

• Take a book, magazine, or even greeting card and hold it about 14 to 16 inches from your face
• Starting with the lowest power and work your way up, trying on glasses, until the print becomes clear.
• Choose the weakest power that clarifies the writing.

Chances are your eyes will worsen approximately .25 diopters each year or two, so you may need to get a new pair from time to time.

Top Reading Glasses Picks

The following options are some of the best reading glasses picks. There is nothing fancy about glasses, and they all do what they are designed to do: solve your close vision focal issues. Some come in packs, and others offer bifocal or progressive options.

6 Pack Reading Glasses by BOOST EYEWEAR

Specs:

• Strengths: 1.0 – 4.0 diopter
• Quantity: 6
• Case Included: no

Best Multi-Pack Reading Glasses

As mentioned, if you depend on reading glasses, but don’t need glasses for anything else, then you may want to have a pair in a few different places to avoid having to carry them around everywhere with you. This 6 pack is affordable and comes in a wide range of focus for you to easily find what matches your vision best. Plus, all the frames are slightly different with subtle patterns and colors to match what you are wearing if that is a concern.

Pros

• 6 pack is convenient
• They come with cleaning cloths
• Various colors are cute

Cons

• May break easily with heavy use

Best For

This pack is best for those who prefer to have a pair of glasses in all your favorite reading places, and also leave you the ability to keep a pair in the car or purse for when you are on the go.

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Success Eyewear Reading Glasses Compact Folding Glasses

Specs:

• Strengths: 1.0 – 3.5 diopter
• Quantity: 2
• Case Included: yes

Best Folding Reading Glasses

If you are used to taking your reading glasses with you everywhere but hate worrying about breaking them in a purse or bag, these folding glasses are a perfect option. The hinged nose piece isn’t even noticeable when worn, and they fold into a nice, compact package that tucks well into its storage case for travel in a bag or pocket.

Pros

• Set of 2 lets you take one with you and leave one at home
• Very comfortable and works well
• Stores very compact in a hard case

Cons

• The inner hinge may rest on the nose

Best For

This is best for anyone who regularly travels with their glasses and worries about breaking the pair they have.

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Gaoye Progressive Multifocus Reading Glasses

Specs:

• Strengths: 0.0 – 3.5 diopter
• Quantity:1
• Case Included: no

Best Progressive Reading Glasses

One of the few progressive readers, these lenses provide both long to near distance sight transition so you can continually wear your glasses without the worry of setting them down and forgetting where they are. The lower part of the lens provides the near reading strength while you can choose the top to have zero diopters for distance. It progresses slightly for clear reading vision right in front of you.

Pros

• Also has a blue light filter
• Comfortable
• Works very well and provides a great transition

Cons

• May take some getting used to at first

Best For

This is best for someone who does not need overall vision correction, but struggles with mid to near focus on objects. Plus, you avoid having to keep taking glasses on and off.

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Peepers by PeeperSpecs Women’s Center Stage Oversized Blue Light Filtering Reading Glasses

Specs:

• Strengths: 0.0 – 3.0 diopter
• Quantity: 1
• Case Included: no

Best Designer Frame Reading Glasses

If you prefer fashion to be a part of your glasses wearing experience these are for you. Available in a variety of decorative frames that boast a slight cat eye, these have a spring hinge for comfort and an anti-scratch coating for long life use. They also have blue light protection for long days in front of a screen, and are offered with a 0 diopter for this as well.

Pros

• Are comfortable and fashionable
• Great blue light protection
• UV coating as well for further eye protection

Cons

• A bit oversized for smaller features

Best For

Fashion glasses wear has never looked better, and these are perfect for reading, or simply to protect your eyes from blue light emitted from screens.

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Memory Lightweight Titanium Stainless Steel Rimless Reading Glasses with Light Lenses

Specs:

• Strengths: 1.0 – 3.5 diopter
• Quantity: 1
• Case Included: yes

Best Rimless Reading Glasses

Rimless readers are a fashionable option for both men and women and these lightweight options are a great choice due to their durable design and comfort options. Light and stylish, are available in a variety of diopter strengths to fit your needs. It comes with a case, a cleaning cloth, and a screwdriver to tighten screws if ever needed.

Pros

• Very easy to wear and fit well
• Very light and flexible
• The case makes it each to take with you

Cons

• A bit delicate overall

Best For

If a lightweight style is your thing, these are a great choice for comfort, eye protection, and the strength you need to read clearly.

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Conclusion

If you find yourself moving reading materials further and further from your eyes in order to focus, you most likely need a pair of reading glasses. This is atypical as you age and does not usually affect your long distance vision in any way. However, it can be frustrating for close work as well as reading, but luckily a good pair of reading glasses can solve all these problems. Available in various strengths, you can find your perfect fit whether it is for home use, or you need a good pair to travel with you.