4 advantages of readers while stuck at home

Isolation presents a perfect opportunity to get back into an old interest or hobby. Maybe one of those interests is reading books, a pastime that’s been partially lost in the digital age.

All over the world, people are dusting off old books and e-readers that have gone untouched for months (or years).

Reading can be enlightening, entertaining, and even emotional — but immersing yourself in a good book isn’t as easy when the words on the page aren’t in focus.

HAVING TROUBLE WITH YOUR VISION CLOSE-UP? Shop for reading glasses online or contact an eye care professional near you.

Keeping a pair of readers handy can remove the nagging discomfort of blurry vision. Here are a few reasons why a good pair of reading glasses might be calling your name.

Reading glasses improve close-up focus

Presbyopia is the natural loss of near-focusing flexibility in your eyes — it’s a completely normal process that usually starts sometime after age 40. This is why reading, especially smaller print, gradually becomes more difficult with age.

Readers can help alleviate the reduced ability to clearly focus on small, close-up words and objects. By providing the needed magnification to see clearly up close, reading glasses make reading a pleasant and relaxing activity again.

Storing a pair of readers in a nearby drawer or pocket means they’ll always be available, whenever you need them.

Reading glasses don’t always require a prescription

Scheduling a routine eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist may be challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily, if all you need is reading glasses because of presbyopia, you can purchase a pair of readers without the need for a prescription.

Next time you make a trip to the pharmacy or grocery store, check out their reading glasses rack. You’ll see a wide variety of styles and lens powers available. Give a few pairs quick test runs until you find your correct viewing power.

The powers of reading glasses generally range from +1.00 to +3.00 diopters (D). Generally, you will be most comfortable with the lowest power that enables you to see clearly at distances that bracket your preferred reading distance.

When trying out readers at the store, be mindful that other people may have tried on that same pair of glasses before you did. Bring a few sanitizing wipes along and clean any parts of the frames that make skin contact, just to be safe. Then, once you own a pair, be sure to clean your glasses regularly.

SEE RELATED: Germs and your eyes (hand-washing and hygiene tips to keep your glasses and contacts germ free)

Readers are affordable and accessible

Readers can be found in almost any supermarket and drugstore in America. They also are available in many discount stores. With that kind of accessibility comes plenty of cheap options for reading glasses that don’t require prescriptions.

Readers also are readily available online, often costing you less than a month of your favorite streaming service. Shopping at online retailers like Amazon, EyeBuyDirect, Walmart, or Readers.com, will give you an almost unfathomable range of colors, styles and materials to choose from.

The best part about shopping online? It gives you one less reason to leave your home during self-isolation because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SEE RELATED: Eye doctors switch to virtual visits reduce spread of coronavirus

Reading glasses aren’t just for books

Books might not be for everyone, but bookworms and non-bookworms alike still need to read a variety of small print throughout the course of the day. Coronavirus quarantines have also led to an increase in computer, laptop, tablet and cell phone usage.

Readers make it easier to read almost any kind of text viewed at close distance. Reading glasses offer the same benefits for someone with presbyopia whether you are reading a print book or magazine, the labels on medicine bottles and other containers, or small print on your digital devices.

There are even readers specially made to filter some blue light that comes from digital screens. This may reduce glare and increase your comfort.

Regardless what you want to see clearly up close, reading glasses can have a positive impact on your day-to-day life after age 40 and are easily available at prices that fit any budget.

THINK YOU NEED A READING GLASSES PRESCRIPTION? Talk to an eye doctor near you to schedule a virtual appointment or ask for advice on how to get a prescription without compromising your health during quarantine.

Page published on Sunday, April 12, 2020