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Reading glasses, looking for suggestions

Kathie

Veteran

A couple years ago, my close vision started being less than ideal, so I bought a pair of reading glasses for when my eyes were tired, or low light conditions (See Concept, now Izipizi, in finds).
I've been a contact lens wearer for 30+ years, so at least for now,
would prefer to continue to wear my contacts most of the time, and add
the readers as needed. Anyway, as I'm sure many of you can relate to, I'm finding that I need them more and more. I found an old thread with great suggestions, so just looking for any other ideas, thoughts, experiences.

Are prescription ones worth it? Suggestions for full-sized, vs. half-sized lenses? Suggestions for places to look, other than drug stores? My main uses are at a computer, and also in choir. I'm thinking half-sized lenses would be better for choir, since I'm constantly glancing down and up, but open to suggestions. Any thoughts much appreciated.

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18 replies

Latest reply was from ChrisM

JAileen

Veteran

I buy reading glasses at CVS, Costco and Walmart. They cost $10-20, and last until I lose or break them. My eye doctor actually suggested them. I’ve been doing this for the past 18 years.

I do have prescription sunglasses, though. The top is plain and the bottom has my reading prescription. I need to be able to read a map, or look at a bird guide. I also like to read outside in the summertime. In a hammock.

Last year I got prescription glasses with a very slight Rx on top for astigmatism, and readers on bottom. They were supposed to be for birding and driving at night, but I haven’t used them much.

Chris987

Veteran

I bought these after seeing a friend’s pair. Incredibly lightweight, come in many colors and correction levels, and this brand has other styles too. They work perfectly for me for glancing up at a conductor while also reading music. (I’m an instrumental musician) . I too wore contacts for many years before I had cataract surgery so I can appreciate good quality specs but I find these just fine. They come in a cool plastic case. I’m thinking of getting a second pair in another color. I use cheap ones from drugstores or tjmaxx at home.’

Scojo New York Scojo New York Gels GOLD Reading Glasses (+1.25 Magnification Power)

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jill58

Veteran

I buy them at Marshalls and TJ Maxx -- 3 for $9.99. They always have various brands and lots of styles. I too wear contacts and can no longer read without reading glasses. Since I like to have several pairs around the house and a pair in my purse at all times, I've always opted for inexpensive ones. They are also very easy to lose -- another reason for not making a major investment.

rachylou

Veteran

Anthropologie sometimes has nice readers. Mine are from CVS, tho.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

One of clients likes the readers from Anthropologie and Kate Spade best.

Personally, I think prescription lenses for reading are worth the price.

AndiB

Veteran

I get mine at tjmaxx too, 3 or So to a pack. I buy men’s though, I like the bigger glasses, they seem more on trend and edgy than what’s usually offered for women

Zibbets

Veteran

Kathie, I'm in about the same place as you - longtime contact lens wearer who occasionally needs to add readers. I've found cute ones at the bookstore, the pharmacy and Goodwill (brand new!).
I'll be following your thread to see if anyone says prescription readers are better than off the rack ones. I haven't needed anything that strong yet.

ETA: Sorry, Angie, I didn't mean to discount your opinion! I was reading before coffee.

Suzanimal

TJ Maxx. Best readers for the best price. My mom used to get hers at Ace Hardware of all places and they were really nice.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Kathie --

My eye doc is big on suggesting coatings to minimize blue light/glare from computer screens.

Here's my .02 as a long-time contact-lens-wearer...turned contacts + readers...turned Lasik patient (woohoo) who still needs readers.

I wore contacts because I didn't like wearing glasses. Still don't, but appreciate their purpose!

When I'm forced into glasses for long periods in public (aka job with lots of computer time) I'm glad to have Rx ones chosen for style and eye health. For that situation I don't want the typical "readers" shape -- I want a pair that looks a bit on-trend. That pair stays with the computer in their case to protect my investment!

My eye doc also stocked off-the-shelf readers ( ~ $30) and I had a pair I used for home/carrying about. Decent quality lenses. I liked the style and solidity of the frames, and feel you could try online for options.

I've also bought a 3-pack of readers at Costco ($20) that I should have returned as they were the wrong shape for my face and 2/3 colors annoy me but...I keep them for utility.

So like most things...it's all about what you need, what you want, and what you want to spend.

Kathie

Veteran

Thanks, everyone!! I put the ones I'm considering in the Finds- lots of great ones!

JAileen- good point about the sunglasses. Thus far, my optometrist has told me I don't need a prescription for the readers, but, I think I'm going to press her on this point.

jill58, AndiB, Suzanimal- Thanks for the tip about TJMaxx. I haven't shopped there in ages. Just checked out their website and found some cute EyeBob ones. (Ok, they're a bit higher price than a three-pack for $10, but still, not bad.)

Chris987- Those are lovely! I really like the option of having something less obtrusive. Adding them to my list!

Zibbets- hadn't thought of looking at a bookstore- will check my local indie one. I got my first ones at my favorite knitting store. I guess "leave no retail stone unturned."

Angie- thanks for the vote on prescription ones. I know it seems silly, but I'm hoping for slightly better quality lenses/optics. Kate Spade has some super cute readers.

rachylou- I found some nice ones on Anthro. Thanks for the suggestion.

Vix- you've nailed it, as to why I was thinking of getting a prescription. I feel like my off the shelf ones are not quite good enough for long hours at the computer. Thanks for confirming.

EYEBOBS Start Over Readers

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Kate Spade New York jodie 50mm rectangular reading glasses

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Kate Spade Women's Jodie Rectangular Reader

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Kate Spade New York Women's Jodie Red Havana +1.00

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Daniella Reading Glasses

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Scojo New York Scojo New York Gels GOLD Reading Glasses (+1.25 Magnification Power)

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Kate Spade New York rebecca 47mm reading glasses

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lisaflex

Veteran

chicos has some cute ones on clearance sometimes.

i also buy the tj maxx ones...3 pack and if ya misplace or break one, you still have 2 more...

must have at least 5 pairs...lol...one in purse for menus, etc, one at work, one by computer area (or 3 in my case), one in kitchen for recipes, one near crossword book in living room....etc...etc...

readers are like sunglasses for me...nothing over $20 as i know i will not take care enough to not break or leave behind, or even sit on...lol, yes, thats happened to me

JAileen

Veteran

Kathie, I bought some cute Eyebobs. They are too heavy to wear comfortably.

ETA: I had rubber glasses from Walmart. They were very durable until I sat on them.

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marija

I don't need readers yet, but a very good optician suggested to my mother-in-law that she get rimless glasses. She does not require them to see far away. She loves them because when she goes into a store she can put them at the end of her nose and read small print and still look up at the rest of the items. Or, if she is on her sofa, looking at a magazine, she can still look up around the room. However, if she wants to put them up, on the bridge of her nose, close to her eyes, this is also an option.

Mainelady

Veteran

I have some readers that I purchased at TJ Maxx that I use as extras at home and in my classroom. I have a pair of prescription readers that I wear at home at night, when my eyes are tired and I am usIng the computer. Like Vix said, they protect my eyes from the glare. I also have a pair of prescription transition lenses, for reading and distance that I wear most of the time in the classroom.
I do think the prescription lenses are worth the price. The readers from TJ’s still work for me, but I find I prefer the prescription lenses .

ladypainter

Hi Kathie,
The optician at my oprometrist’s office recommended EyeBobs to wear as readers over my contacts—for quality of lens AND frame construction. They are also available n Amazon, but without a price break.
Most of the time I wear glasses with a progressive Rx. A lot of chic non-Rx sunglass frames can NOT be retrofitted to large diopter Rx sizes, in case you are interested in going that way.
Good luck!

mcjiffy

Member

https://youlookfab.com/finds/item/?product=87879

Echo

Veteran

I have prescription glasses, but they are no-line bifocals and SO hard to get used to. Additionally, I need so little adjustment for everyday vision that I just don't find it worth it to wear them. And I see very little difference between the prescription lenses and the readers for text. I do find the readers at my optometrist (they carry non prescription readers, too) to be of better quality than, say, Walmart, but that might be my imagination.

ChrisM

Veteran

I got prescription progressives and love them. I wear monovision contacts when I don’t want to have glasses perched on my face (reading prescription in left eye, distance prescription in right eye) - perfect for outdoor activities. I’m tempted to get computer only prescription glasses (no distance) because I work on the computer a lot and cheap readers don’t make it.

For choir performances, I decided that contacts didn’t work so well, so I got a pair of minimal frame progressive prescription glasses from Costco.

BtW - my husband wears the monovision contacts for everyday, his glasses at night and has done so for years. It’s funny how our bodies adapt so easily and seamlessly to the monovision