Reading glasses seem to have been around prior to 1352. “They first appeared in a painting which Italian Tommaso de Modena made of Cardinal Hugh de Provence, using them while reading from a scriptorium. (Wikipedia .org) There are also claims that the Chinese were using them as early as 1270, having imported the technology from the Middle East in the 11th Century. (Wikipedia .org)
Today, technology provides us with innovations in reading glasses which make our lives easier. Also, the fashion-forward designs coming out now are no longer your granny’s styles. Designer reading glasses will allow you to look chic and trendy while wearing your prescription glasses.
With the new technology and fashionable designs in reading glasses, this no longer has to be you.(Photo courtesy of tsakshaug, Flickr.)
About Reading Glasses
It is a fact that most people after hitting the BIG 4-0 suffer from “hyperopia”, which is the ability to “see distant objects clearly but have trouble with seeing objects that are close to them.” (Wikipedia .org) You and I are no exception. Another common vision condition which is found in the elderly is “presbyopia, which is caused by the eye’s crystalline lens losing elasticity, progressively reducing the ability of the lens to accommodate (i.e. to focus on objects close to the eye).” (Wikipedia .org)
Presbyopia and Hyperopia are corrected with convex lenses by “moving the focal point on the retina accordingly with one’s particular needs. The depth of the curve, the thickness of the lens, and the precise shape of the lens can all be used to change the focal point.” (Wikipedia .org)
Today, reading glasses come in four types – bifocals, sun readers, full frame and the half frame (folding reading glasses .com). You may choose between reading glasses with your own prescription or purchase a pair from your local Dollar Store or pharmacy. The drawback of purchasing the cheaper, ready-made reading glasses is that usually we do not have the same prescription in both eyes and, these glasses come with the same prescription in both lenses.
Reading Sunglasses
You will no longer have to change your glasses or, worse yet – wear your sunglasses over your reading glasses, when trying to read outside in sunlight. Now, there are tinted reading glasses for such times. When you are going to purchase reading sunglasses, make sure that your glasses come with UV protection lenses.
Magnetic Reading Glasses
These reading glasses are manufactured under the name “Clics Readers”. “A unique one-piece design that lets them hang around your neck when not in use and, when you put them on, they just “CliCk” together. The patented neodymium magnet that has been tested to stay connected in speeds of up to 130 mph and holds them in place at the bridge of your nose keeps your CliCs in place during just about any activity.” (impulse clics .com)
Lighted Reading Glasses
These glasses come with LED lights on both sides of the actual glass. The light mechanism turns on whenever the glasses are opened up for usage. This is very convenient for when you are reading in bed, trying to read the menu in a dimly lit restaurant or wherever extra light is needed. (speert .com)
With your lighted reading glasses you can now put the candle away. (Photo courtesy of zAppledot, Flickr.)
Folding Reading Glasses
The advantage of owning folding reading glasses is that they are compact enough that once folded will fit in your pocket, evening bag or clip to your belt. They are light-weight and are manufactured with an exclusive spring hinge, which comprises the folding mechanism. (speert .com)
Flexies
The frames of these reading glasses are manufactured from pure TR90 Grilamid, “which is characterized by its extremely good UV resistance, high chemical and stress crack resistance as well as high impact strength. “ (matweb .com)
The frames on these glasses “are extremely flexible and lightweight. They can be bent and twisted without breaking and will always retain their original shape.” (speert .com)
Gels
These reading glasses are manufactured with a gel-like frame which not only allows them to contour around your face, perfectly, but are extremely light-weight. (the dirty t shirt .com) Also, “the temples are made from TR90 memory plastic, a high-tech material that bends for the best fit.” (readingstyle .com)
Fashion Forward Designs
Reading glasses no longer have you looking like your grandma. Now, there are designer reading glasses in a variety of colors and finishes to include hand-painted, metallic and with crystal and stud adornments. (speert .com)
Designer reading glasses now come in a plethora of prints, metallic colors and even studs and crystal adornments. (Photo courtesy of chucka nc, Flickr.)
A pair of reading glasses that definitely fits into this category is the eye-bobs. Making a fashion statement with trendy reading glasses can be pretty difficult….but, not when you are wearing these babies. On the technical side, eyebobs are manufactured from “top grade Italian plastics…Powers are available in hard to find quarter strength increments (1.00, 1.25, 1.50…).” (eyebobs .com) On the aesthetic side, their logo says it all – their specialty is “eyewear for the irreverent and slightly jaded.”
Eye-bobs warped TR90 sport brown/aqua blue.
Eyebobs shaken TR90 sport blue/multi.
Eye-bobs big pencil. (Photos courtesy of internationaloptique.com)
Should you opt to go with eyebobs? Remember to ask for the protective case.
On a side note, for those of us that are constantly losing our reading glasses, now there are the Peepers’ Sculptures. “These whimsical sculptures are completely hand-crafted, carved from real wood and then hand-painted. The perfect way to express your style and keep your glasses at hand. Great for the desk, nightstand, kitchen, just about anywhere you want to store your specs. “ (speert .com)
The Invisible Line
Also referred to as “progressive lenses”, are those bifocal or trifocal reading glasses manufactured where “the line” between the lenses is invisible. The advantage of these lenses is that they are multifocal – i.e., they “provide a seamless progression of many lens powers for all viewing distances and eliminate an annoying problem caused by bifocal and trifocal lenses known as “image jump.” (all about vision .com)
Computer Eyewear
If you suffer from blurred vision, eye strain, and headaches when you work at your computer you may want to check out prescription computer glasses. These glasses have been manufactured specifically to avoid CVS (Computer Vision Syndrome). These glasses are not to be confused with regular reading glasses and, should not be used for such purposes. Make certain that your computer glasses come with an anti-reflective coating. Another option is to have a light, contrast-enhancing tint added. “These tints help reduce glare caused by harsh overhead lighting found in many office environments.” (all about vision .com)
Occupational Progressive Lenses
Another type of reading glasses which has been manufactured for working at your computer is occupational progressive lenses. These glasses have “a no-line multifocal that corrects near, intermediate, and, up to a point, distance vision. It has a larger intermediate zone than regular progressive lenses for more comfortable vision at the computer. But this leaves less lens area for distance vision. So these lenses are not recommended for driving or other significant distance vision tasks.” (all about vision .com)
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