What are the Signs That You Need Reading Glasses?

Have you ever had difficulty seeing or reading things close to you? Do you ever wonder if you need reading glasses? Your vision begins to deteriorate as you age. As a result, you may need reading glasses, though you have had perfect vision all your life. You can see this page for high-quality reading glasses if you feel you have difficulty with vision. 

Signs That Indicate You Need Reading Glasses

Several signs may indicate you need reading glasses. A few of them are given below:

You Fall Asleep at the Computer

Your eye muscles work hardest when you focus on close-up or detailed work. For instance, when you are working at the computer or reading. If your near vision is weak and you need reading glasses, these muscles will work harder to help you see clearly. Since this is not natural for the eyes, they will get tired, making you sleepy. 

You Need Brighter Light to Read

If your near vision has weakened, your normal reading lamp will not be bright enough for you. So you will either turn on another lamp or an overhead light for that extra brightness. If you never have enough light, irrespective of the type of lighting, it could be a sign that you need reading glasses. 

You Have Difficulty Seeing After Dark

Sometimes, you will struggle to see after dark, even with the lights on. This is because, with age, your night vision slowly begins to deteriorate. Dimly lit environments like restaurants make it difficult for you to see clearly. If you think you have difficulty seeing after dark, you can speak to your doctor about reading glasses.

You Need to Adjust the Way You Hold Your Book or Phone

One of the most obvious signs you need reading glasses is how you hold a book or phone to read. Typically, if you are near-sighted, you will hold the book or phone about 30 cm or less away from your face as you won’t be able to see anything farther. But if you are far-sighted and cannot see anything close, you may need to hold the book at arm’s length. 

You Get Frequent Headaches

Eye strain due to poor near vision can cause severe headaches. If you get headaches after long periods of staring at the computer monitor or reading a book, you may have to ask your doctor if you need reading glasses. 

You See Halos

Light falling on your retina can become scattered or blurred if your eyes cannot focus correctly. As a result, you will see bright circles around lights of different sizes and shapes. For instance, you will notice halos around car headlights or bulbs. These halos can be a sign that you need reading glasses. 

You are Above 40

According to the American Optometric Association, most adults between the ages of 40 and 60 require reading glasses due to Presbyopia. Presbyopia is when the eyes slowly lose their ability to focus on close objects. The symptoms of this condition will usually appear in your early to mid-40s and can worsen by the time you are 60 years. 

When Should You Visit A Doctor?

If your near vision has become extremely blurry, you must visit a doctor and take an eye exam. Depending on what the doctor finds, they may recommend reading glasses. If you already have glasses to see distant objects, the doctor may recommend bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses. These glasses will help you see both close and far away. Below are a few symptoms that indicate you must see your doctor immediately:

• You notice drastic changes in your vision suddenly
• Everything around you looks blurry
• Your eyes hurt when you try to see something
• You constantly see flashes of light
• You have double vision

How Often Should I Test My Eyes for Reading Glasses?

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, you should get a baseline eye exam at 40 to determine if you need reading glasses. After that, you can get your eyes tested every 1-3 years between the ages 55 and 64 and every 1-2 years after age 65.

Before determining whether you need reading glasses or not, you must get an eye exam from a certified eye doctor. This will tell you accurately whether you have a near vision or any other eye problem. Once your eyes are tested, you can purchase glasses from eye stores like ICU Eyewear. They feature a wide range of reading glasses that you can choose from. Their stylish and affordable glasses for men and women come in various colors, frame materials, styles, and sizes.