Close-up glasses (reading glasses): how to choose and when to wear them

How do I know if I need reading glasses?

The first manifestation is often difficulty reading small text, for example on leaflets or on the ingredients of food in the shop. However, you may also notice generally blurred text when reading, looking at your mobile phone, etc. This gradually forces you to move the text further away from your eyes to see it more clearly. Variability in vision during the day or depending on the light is also common. Some people may also experience headaches when working at close range for long periods of time, or more eyestrain and tearing.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to see an optometrist for advice on how to proceed.

How to choose the right reading glasses — step by step procedure

Choosing reading glasses is not just about design. It is important to have the right vision correction for comfortable vision. It’s good to know whether you will use the glasses occasionally in your leisure time or whether they will be your main work aid. If you already wear distance glasses, the approach to selecting reading glasses is different than for clients who see into the distance without correction. 

1. Vision examination and determination of correct diopters

Have your eyesight professionally measured before you start choosing your glasses. The value for reading glasses is given by the so-called add (ADD) - the addition to near. During the eye examination, we will also perform an eye screening, which can predict cataracts, keratoconus, or changes in the retina based on the values obtained. 

What is adice?

You can find the add value (ADD) in the result of a diopter examination from your doctor or optician; it is the difference between the distance and near diopters. It indicates how many diopters need to be added for the eye to see clearly at the chosen near distance. It depends on how close you need to see (reading ~40 cm vs computer further away). If you do not have a distance diopter (0 D), the addition corresponds to the resulting near diopter. 

If you have a distance diopter, the addition is added to the distance diopter: for farsighted (plus) people the resulting reading diopter is higher, for nearsighted (minus) people the addition reduces the distance diopter and the near glasses can have a minus value. Therefore, myopes often just need to take off their distance glasses for reading.

2. Selection of reading frames

You can choose from standard dioptric frames with standard lens sizes and a wide reading field of view. The second type is narrow (half-frame) reading glasses, which can be worn lower on the nose, allowing reading and distant vision above the frames without constantly removing them.
We offer plastic, metal, titanium frames, designer and luxury frames, as well as practical and economical models, including foldable glasses suitable for handbags. 

Foldable reading glasses 

A compact solution for your pocket or handbag, ideal as a spare. Expect compromises in comfort and durability with cheaper models.

Luxury reading glasses

Premium trim materials (titanium/​acetate), hinge quality, surface finish, timeless design and service. Luxury reading glasses are not just about aesthetics, but also ergonomics and durability.

Men’s reading glasses

More often wider fronts, longer sides, moderate colours and more angular shapes. However, we always recommend choosing according to facial anatomy, not purely by gender. 

3. Choice of lenses

If you only need glasses for one distance (reading, manual work), single-focal l enses are best (one diopter across the entire surface, wide field of vision for the distance).

However, if you alternate distances (papers on the table and a farther monitor) or want to see into the distance, the single-focus solution won’t be as sharp for everything and the distance will be blurry. For such cases, multifocal lenses are more suitable — office or multifocal for all-day wear. 

For lenses, we choose surface treatments (resistance, antireflective, hydro/​oleophobic). For digital equipment, we recommend a blue light filter.

“Customers often want just plain reading glasses, but such glasses don’t always do them a good service for close-up work. Typically, for example, if you want to use them for reading a book and working with a computer. We will always recommend the right option for you, preferably based on our examination.”

Mgr. Kateřina Sokolářová 

optometrist 

Why not wear cheap reading glasses from stores?

While it may seem that cheap reading glasses from the drugstore or supermarket will solve the situation, the opposite may be true. Store-bought reading glasses have universal diopters. They don’t have to match your vision, they don’t address the differences between your right and left eye, and they don’t take into account the individual distance of your pupils. The lenses themselves are of poor quality and have optical defects that cause glare and distortion. 

Looking through such glasses is more taxing on the eyes and brain and can cause eye discomfort. The frames often don’t fit properly, can push or fall off and are difficult to adjust due to their material.
We do not recommend these glasses for long-term use. However, they can be used to quickly resolve an urgent situation. If you want to prevent headaches, eye fatigue and impaired vision, we recommend a pair of custom-made glasses from an optician.

Not sure what glasses are best for you? Or are you unclear about reading glasses or your eye condition? Never mind! That’s what we’re here for. We’re always happy to explain everything and recommend the glasses that will serve you best. 

Depending on your lifestyle, progressive (multifocal) glasses for all-day wear may make sense, or multifocal contact lenses if you don’t want to change glasses. Each option has trade-offs (adaptation, cost, optical effects); we will suggest the best choice after the examination.