Reading Glasses are “a second set of eyes” and a trendy fashion accessory for millions of men and women all over the world.
WHY? Reading Glasses can significantly improve one’s ability to read by magnifying the size of words.
According to The Vision Council, a non-profit
trade association that serves companies in the
optical industry, over 52 million Americans
wear over-the-counter reading glasses.
The Vision Council also reports that more than
90% of Reading Glasses are sold to people
over the age of 45. A study published in the
Community Eye Health Journal concluded that
the percentage of adults wearing
Reading Glasses continues to increase with age.
Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects. Since presbyopia is caused by age-related changes to the lens of the eye, presbyopia is not preventable or reversible.
Experts at the Mayo Clinic, a renowned academic medical center located in Rochester, Minnesota, maintain that “almost everyone experiences some degree of presbyopia after the age of 40”. Mayo Clinic experts went on to say that presbyopia is a natural part of aging that becomes noticeable in one’s early to mid-40s and continues to worsen until age 65.
Reading Glasses help people with presbyopia by providing them with lenses that magnify words on up-close objects such as books, newspapers, magazines, computer screens. and cell phones.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons, states that individuals should select reading glasses
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons, states that individuals should select reading glasses based one’s vision impairment. Having an ophthalmologist determine the best lens design for one’s vision is always recommended.
Over-the-counter Reading Glasses sold online and at drugstores, department stores, and general retailers, are designed for short-term wear and are best for people who have the same lens power (strength) in each eye.
“Even though over-the-counter Reading Glasses are not prescribed by an ophthalmologist, these Reading Glasses are perfectly safe,” says ophthalmologist Michelle Andreoli, M.D., an AAO clinical spokesperson. Dr. Andreoli maintains that even low-cost dollar store options can help one focus up close and will not damage one’s eyes.
Over-the-counter Reading Glasses are NOT recommended for individuals with astigmatism (the eye’s cornea or lens isn’t perfectly round). Instead, prescription Reading Glasses are required for astigmatism.
Also, individuals who need a different strength lens magnification for each eye also are not good candidates for over-the-counter Reading Glasses and almost always require prescription Reading Glasses.
The AAO reports that the most popular choice of prescription Reading Glasses are progressive lenses; lenses that combine multiple prescriptions in one lens, with a gradual top-to-bottom change.
Prescription Reading Glasses progressive lenses correct far-away, middle-distance, and up-close vision with one pair of eyeglasses.
Today’s Reading Glasses feature a fabulous selection of fashionable frame choices and vision options for consumers, making Reading Glasses a “must have” for individuals with presbyopia.