In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes, or so said Benjamin Franklin. It is ironic that the inventor of the bifocal did not add “and reading glasses” to that famous quote. It is inevitable that people will eventually need glasses to read or see close up, beginning at around the age of 40.
Why? A condition known as “presbyopia” occurs when the lens of the eye becomes less flexible. This rigidity makes it more difficult to focus on close things, thus necessitating reading glasses. This occurs as a result of age, and though it is completely unavoidable, it is entirely manageable.
The first sign that you are becoming farsighted is your need to hold books, newspapers and other printed matter farther and farther away from your face. Then you might find your eyes get tired or you get headaches when you read. Before you know it, you can not hold your reading material far enough away and still see it clearly.
If you already have corrected vision, bifocals may be all you need to see up close comfortably. These glasses have full-size lenses that feature your prescription on the top and magnification on the bottom. Thus, you will only need one pair of glasses to see both near and far.
If you had perfect vision before, you will need a simple pair of glasses to be worn only when reading or doing close work. You can get high-quality reading glasses from a licensed optician. The demand for fashionable reading eyeglasses has resulted in the availability of a wide variety of stylish, yet functional readers that are fun to wear.
Advances in medicine have led to surgical solutions for presbyopia. These treatments, including laser surgery and gel injections, are relatively new and carry risks that do not exist with reading glasses.
When you find yourself straining to read things you could previously read with ease, it might be time to consider new eyewear. Luckily, you won’t be at a loss for options.