Ophthalmologist-approved readers to help you see clearly in style
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Whether you're picking up a book or using a Kindle, reading extensively can cause unwanted eye strain. Thankfully, reading glasses can help.
“You should wear reading glasses whenever you are struggling to read," says Richard Davidson, MD, an ophthalmologist with UC Health Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center in Colorado. "You will find using reading glasses is much less fatiguing, and you may have less dry-eye and other ocular irritation by using them. This is because when we struggle to read, we tend to blink less frequently, leading to dry eye symptoms and ocular irritation.”
Consumers looking to purchase reading glasses should pay attention to how they fit their head and face and whether they’re comfortable and provide good vision quality, he adds. We researched dozens of reading glasses and evaluated them for reviews, frame materials, lens type, fit, pricing, durability, and return policies. An optometrist from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy and integrity surrounding reading glasses, materials to look for, and how to evaluate them.
We chose these stylish, unisex frames from Foster Grant as our top pick because they come with several features for a reasonable price, including anti-reflective, scratch- and impact-resistant multi-strength polycarbonate lenses. In addition, the glasses’ spring hinge allows for a more precise fit and extra comfort. Plus, the round frames are available in either black or teal.
Price at time of publication: $35
Frame Material: Metal/plastic | Lens Type: Polycarbonate | Prescription Type: 1-3.5
Some lenses can be a bit fuzzy
If you’re someone who frequently misplaces their reading glasses, you may be better off buying them in a multipack. This one from Gaoye contains five pairs of reading glasses, so you’ll always have a backup pair handy when another pair goes missing. And they won't fall apart easily: The spring-hinge and flexible resin frame material make these relatively durable as well.
Price at time of publication: $23
Frame Material: Resin | Lens Type: Polycarbonate lens | Prescription Type: 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.5, 4
Thin padding on nose bridge
Even though plastic reading glasses may hold their shape better than metal or wire frames, some people prefer the look and feel of metal. If that sounds like you, this five-pack of thin metal frames is a safe bet—especially since the company offers a lifetime breakage warranty on both the lenses and frames. Plus, they’re available in five different colors (in other words, not as boring as they may sound).
Price at time of publication: $22
Frame Material: Metal | Lens Type: Plastic | Prescription Type: 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.5, 4
Highest strength power options available
Available in bifocals or progressive lenses
More expensive than other glasses
Need eye measurements to order
As mentioned before, there’s no evidence that blue light blocking glasses prevent eye strain caused by the light given off from electronic devices. Nevertheless, many people do like the effects these glasses have. If these glasses make you comfortable, you may want to consider a pair of frames from Zenni Optical, outfitted with Blokz blue light blocking lenses. They are available in non-prescription, great for those who always wear contacts, or prescription lenses.
Price at time of publication: $19
Frame Material: Acetate | Lens Type: Multiple ptions | Prescription Type: 0-6 in increments of 0.25
Lenses can sometimes come out
Though we tend to think of children as being farsighted—only realizing they need glasses when they’re unable to see the board at school—approximately 9% of school-aged children have myopia, or nearsightedness.
Unlike adults, kids don't wander into their local CVS and peruse their selection of reading glasses. Instead, their parents need to take them to see their pediatrician for an eye screening, followed by an appointment with an optometrist or ophthalmologist, if necessary. Overall, it’s the same process used for farsighted children, and there aren’t designated “reading glasses” (just regular kids’ glasses).
Having said that, parents who believe that blue light blocking glasses are useful might want their child to wear them, even if they have 20/20 vision and don’t require a prescription. If that’s the case, Livho’s bendable and lightwear blue light blocking glasses for kids are a good option.
Price at time of publication: $15
Frame Material: TR90 (flexible plastic) | Lens Type: Polycarbonate | Prescription Type: None
Aspheric lenses with anti-scratch coating
Short return phase if they get damaged
A family-run company now in its fourth generation, PeeperSpecs has a wide selection of reading glasses that don’t skimp on style. Ranging from contemporary frames to those that are vintage-inspired, even the most fashion-conscious people should find something they like. Plus, the spring hinges on the frames provide added comfort.
Price at time of publication: $23
Frame Material: Polycarbonate | Lens Type: Acrylic | Prescription Type: 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.25, 2.75, 3
Not as comfortable as other options
If you don’t always wear reading glasses, they need to be portable enough to come with you wherever you go. For this reason, some people prefer reading glasses that fold, like this pair from Sucess. Actually, these foldable glasses come two-to-an-order, complete with a hard carrying case for each pair, at a reasonable price. In addition, they also come with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Price at time of publication: $15
Frame Material: Plastic | Lens Type: Plastic | Prescription Type: 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4
Can add blue light filtering or light-responsive coating
Not available in higher powers
When Warby Parker first hit the scene, the company offered a lower-cost and significantly more convenient way of buying glasses—so it may seem odd to see them listed as our luxury pick. But compared to all of the other options for reading glasses out there, these are on the higher end of the price spectrum. At the same time, people who have ordered from Warby Parker previously may be more comfortable going with the brand again, and their one-year no-scratch guarantee can come in handy.
Price at time of publication: $95
Frame Material: Cellulose acetate | Lens Type: Polycarbonate | Prescription Type: 0.25, 0.5, .75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75
If you’re in the market for a pair of reading glasses, pay attention to these qualities and features:
Pay attention to the lens material. Looking through plastic CR-39 versus polycarbonate versus injection molded lenses of different materials can differ, and you should try different kinds to see what you like.
Similar to other types of prescription glasses, you’ll have to decide on plastic or metal/wire frames. Check the description of the frame to find out which material it is made from. Plastic frames tend to be more durable, but you can’t beat the convenience of a pair of folding metal glasses.
If you’re purchasing reading glasses online or through an optician, you’ll likely be offered a long list of options to add to your lenses. These can include everything from a scratch-resistant coating to lenses made from more lightweight materials to a blue light blocking coating. Pay attention to these options and your invoice to ensure you get all the lens features and qualities you want but aren’t stuck paying for ones you don’t want or need.
While some companies don’t offer any type of guarantee on their reading glasses, others have some version of a return policy and, in some cases, a warranty. If this is something that matters to you, check to make sure the company has an acceptable policy in place.
Keep in mind that if you are using higher numbers of correction, this means you will need closer working distances and you should see an eye doctor to find out if you may have a condition affecting your vision.
Some online glasses companies like Warby Parker and Zenni provide instructions for customers, walking them through how to measure their face to make sure they order glasses that fit. These directions can be useful even if you’re purchasing a pair of reading glasses on Amazon, as they’ll often list the sizes and dimensions of the frames.
But overall, this is one of those situations where in-person shopping can be easier, solely for the fact that it allows you to actually try glasses on physically, and not just virtually. When trying on reading glasses, Bhavin Shah, MCOptom, a behavioral optometrist at Central Vision Opticians in London, England, says that it’s most important to ensure that the glasses fit properly at the bridge of the nose—meaning that they should fit comfortably and not slide down your nose.
Next, check to see if the glasses fit well on the sides of your head. “The glasses shouldn't press in, neither should the sides of the glasses stretch out too much,” Shah explains. And when it comes to selecting a prescription, Shah advises to “always try to get the lowest power that you can use to see comfortably.”
While it’s generally a good idea to see an eye doctor about any vision problems, Dr. Davidson says that it’s possible (and not harmful) to purchase and wear reading glasses without getting a prescription for them first. “Prescription reading glasses may give you slightly better vision due to higher lens quality and the ability to correct any astigmatism you may have,” he explains. “However, over-the-counter reading glasses are perfectly fine if you are comfortable with the image quality.”
In short, reading glasses should be used as much as is needed for adults over 40, ophthalmologist Dr. Benjamin Bert says. “Many people feel that using the reading glasses has made their eyes ‘lazy,’ since they find themselves becoming more and more dependent on the reading glasses for their near vision,” he explains. “However, the process and progression of presbyopia will happen regardless of whether the reading glasses are used or not. Thus, it’s important to make yourself comfortable and not cause unnecessary eye strain.”
And if you find that you are needing reading glasses at a younger age, or if you’re having difficulty focusing up-close and you’re under 40, it may be worth seeing your optometrist or ophthalmologist to have a refraction performed and see if you need prescription glasses, Dr. Bert adds.
As a seasoned health writer and editor, Elizabeth Yuko, PhD, is always on the lookout for new (and research-backed) products, techniques, and services that can help people cope with their health challenges and needs.
Yoo S. Myopia (Nearsightedness) in children. HealthyChildren.org.
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