Eye Doctors Agree That You Might Need Reading Glasses Starting at This Age

If you’re squinting to read the menu at your favorite restaurant, or holding books at arm’s length to see clearly—this could mean your eyes are having problems focusing on nearby objects. Your vision can feel off for different reasons: poor lighting, stress, or even side effects from certain medications. But one of the most common causes of difficulty focusing is presbyopia—an age-related condition that gradually reduces your eyes’ ability to focus up close.

The good news is that with the right care, presbyopia is manageable, especially with a simple pair of reading glasses. Sturdy and easily accessible options from brands like Peepers, Zenni, and Warby Parker make it easy to find a pair that suits your needs. But the question is, when is the right time to use reading glasses? Read on to see what eye experts suggest.

How do you know if you need reading glasses?

While it’s different from person to person, most people start to experience blurry vision or challenges with focusing their eyes around midlife. This is different from farsightedness, a condition that can happen at any age that causes vision difficulties with up-close objects. "Presbyopia typically begins to develop in your early to mid-forties and is a natural, age-related condition that affects everyone over time”, Steven T. Reed OD, optometrist, and president of the American Optometric Association (AOA), tells Well+Good.

At this age, the eye lens (i.e., the structure behind the pupil that sends light toward the back of the eye) becomes less flexible, making it harder to reshape the lens to focus on objects at different distances. “The flexibility is necessary for adjusting focus between near and far objects; so, as the lens becomes less elastic, it becomes more difficult to see close-up objects clearly," Dr. Reed adds.

This loss of flexibility means that light from nearby objects lands behind the retina instead (the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye), causing blurry vision up close. Before this change, your younger eyes—with more flexible lenses—could more easily change shape to focus light correctly, and thereby produce sharper images.

"If you're over age 45 and have noticed that it has become increasingly difficult to read or do up-close work, or you notice headaches, blurry vision, or your eyes feeling strained, you may be experiencing some of the signs of presbyopia," says Artis Beatty, OD, an optometrist and chief medical officer at MyEyeDr.com. Other common signs that your eyes are struggling to focus on nearby objects include:

• Experiencing blurry vision when reading books or magazines
• Eye strain when using a computer
• Finding it difficult to read text messages in regular fonts
• Having trouble telling the time on a watch 
• Feeling tired or experiencing headaches after reading or doing close-up tasks overtime

While these signs may point toward presbyopia, Dr. Beatty says "the only way to know for sure is to have a comprehensive eye exam." During these exams, your provider—typically an ophthalmologist or optometrist—will evaluate how healthy your eyes are by carrying out tests to determine things like visual acuity¹ (i.e., sharpness), pupil response, muscle function, and more, to decide if reading glasses or other visual aids are needed to keep your vision sharp.

5 brands that sell great reading glasses online

The American Academy of Ophthalmology says a good pair of reading glasses may be all you need to correct vision problems caused by presbyopia—especially if you don’t have other issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism (an abnormality in the curve of your eye lens) affecting your eyesight. "Reading glasses provide a simple and effective way to improve near vision to make everyday tasks easier and more comfortable," says Dr. Reed.

Here are some expert-recommended brands you can shop online to find the best pair of reading glasses—for both your vision and your personal style.

1. Peepers

Peepers is a stylish, easy-reach pick for anyone looking to improve their eyesight. A true fan favorite, this brand has earned a spot on Oprah’s Favorite Things—thanks to creative designs for anyone wanting the opposite of boring readers. One of our faves (and Oprah's) are the Peepers Bravado frames ($23) because they're lightweight, scratch-resistant, and fitted with blue lens protection.

While the nose grip isn’t adjustable, its affordable price and spring hinges that adapt to every head shape make it an easy choice. And if the Bravado style isn't for you, the Peepers site offers virtual try-on sessions (where you upload a picture of yourself) so you can find the perfect pair before adding them to your cart. Lastly, Peepers also works with a variety of prescriptions; you can find readers within the +1 to +4 range, and you can pick based on what your optometrist suggests.

2. Zenni

Any long-time glasses wearer is likely familiar with Zenni—an eyewear brand that has spent decades delivering budget-friendly eyewear without compromising on quality. For folks just starting with wearing readers, Zenni's are a go-to choice as they're affordable and durable, helping bring your blurry vision to focus.

We like the best-selling Square Readers in Tortoiseshell ($28) or the Round Readers in Black ($20), but there are plenty of other shapes, colors, and styles to choose from based on what you like. All customizable styles are priced under $30, meaning they are not only easy on the eyes but on your wallet, too. Plus, like Peepers, Zenni also offers a virtual try-on option to make you sure like what you've picked before committing.

3. Warby Parker

There’s plenty to love about the designer-quality eyewear brand Warby Parker, but high on the list is the online shopping experience. Besides many sizing options to choose from, you can also take specialized quizzes to determine what frames work best for your face. The brand also has seasonal collections so you always have fresh options to pick from.

Another pro? Warby Parker has a home try-on collection, where buyers can select five frames (shipped for free!) before choosing which pairs they'd like to keep. They also have a virtual try-on option like the other brands, too, if this is more convenient. Most of their high-quality reading glasses start at $95—we like these Chamberlain frames ($95) in the color whiskey tortoise—and are fitted with non-prescription lenses in strengths ranging from +0.25 to 2.75.

Another great quality is that their lenses are scratch-resistant, have an anti-reflective coating, and are made of polycarbonate—the most impact-resistant material for glasses.

4. GlassesUSA

If your vision issues are a little more advanced, GlassesUSA is a good place to find readers that cater to your specific needs. Most of their reading glasses start with a +0.25 prescription and extend up to +4.0—with added anti-glare and scratch-proof protection at an added cost. We like these light blue plastic Muse Campbell frames ($58) or these fun, thick black and white Ottoto Chiellini pair ($70).

A bonus: GlassesUSA offers a variety of different name-brand and designer options, usually during a sale or other promotion.

5. Caddis

If you're in the market for reading glasses that make a statement with any outfit, the designs from Caddis promise just that. Each pair is hand-measured and inspected for a perfect fit every time, with prescriptions up to +4.00 and a catalog of modern designs to choose from. For a more vintage-looking vibe, we recommend these aviator-shaped Root Cause Analysis ($110) frames in the color matte gopher. Or for a funky bold moment, go with the D28 frames ($110) which sport thick square plastic frames in colors like heritage green.

You can find your perfect pair using their virtual try-on tool, which could be valuable as Caddis frames can be pricey. While readers start at around $98, these high-quality frames could be a worthwhile investment for long-term use.

When to see a healthcare provider

We get it: The thought of having to start using reading glasses can feel like admitting you're not a spring chicken anymore. But if you're constantly squinting at words on a page, your phone, or a menu—or if headaches and eye strain become part of your daily routine—it might be time to visit your healthcare provider to check out your vision issues.

Your primary care provider may refer you to an optometrist or ophthalmologist to give you an eye exam and determine the best options to improve your vision and comfort. More than likely, they will suggest purchasing reading glasses in a specific strength, or give you a prescription to reference when you are purchasing them. Thankfully, there are plenty of stylish and affordable readers out there, so you can see clearly without compromising your style.

"Annual in-person comprehensive eye exams with a doctor of optometry are recommended to track changes in your vision and identify any underlying conditions," says Dr. Reed. In other words, be sure to schedule your appointment once a year to keep your peepers in tip-top shape.