What are Book Reading Glasses? What are the types?

Reading glasses, especially those that appear with age; These are glasses that help you read materials such as books, newspapers and magazines comfortably. Glasses are one of the main treatment methods for refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. However, in some cases, the use of glasses can be a solution to the problem of focusing or nearsightedness while reading a book.

Book reading glasses, also known as relaxing glasses, make reading more comfortable for people who have difficulty and feel discomfort while reading written materials such as books and newspapers. These are glasses designed for These glasses, which were originally used only for reading written materials, are now also used while looking at computer, phone and television screens.

When choosing among different types of reading glasses such as full-frame, half-frame and illuminated, it is best to consult an ophthalmologist who is an expert in the field. can help you choose. There is no need to have any visual impairment to use reading glasses. Who should use reading glasses? Can reading glasses be used for a long time? You can read the rest of the article for answers to questions such as these and detailed information about reading glasses.

What are Reading Glasses?

Reading glasses are usually available without a prescription and make it easier to read written material or look at a screen. In other words, reading glasses can help provide comfort while doing daily activities. Aiming to reduce eye fatigue, these glasses help rest the eyes, especially in people who look at the screen or read for a long time. Although reading glasses are generally available without a prescription, if people have any vision defects, it may be necessary to use prescription ones instead of non-prescription glasses.

What are the Types of Reading Glasses?

Reading glasses are usually designed with single vision lenses that focus only on near vision. However, there are also reading glasses with varifocal or multifocal lenses. The types of reading glasses that are frequently preferred today are as follows:

• Standard reading glasses:These types of reading glasses have a single focus. Although they are mostly designed to correct distance vision acuity, they can also be adjusted for near vision.
• Bifocal reading glasses (bifocal reading glasses): Standard reading glasses may not be sufficient for people with more than one vision problem. In this case, multifocal lenses are preferred. Bifocal reading glasses are the most commonly used multifocal glasses. Bifocal glasses have two different focal points. The upper part of them allows you to see distant objects better, while the lower point allows you to see near objects better. These are generally preferred in cases where hyperopic and myopic vision defects occur simultaneously. However, people with presbyopia, a vision defect seen especially in people over the age of 40, that is, people who have problems focusing on nearby objects, can be more comfortable while reading or looking at the screen with bifocal reading glasses.
• Trifocal reading glasses (trifocal reading glasses). ):One of the types of multifocal glasses is trifocal reading glasses. Like bifocal glasses, trifocal glasses have more than one focal point. The most important feature that distinguishes them from bifocal glasses is that they have three focal points. The upper part of trifocal glasses makes it easier to see distance, the middle part makes it easier to see medium distance, and the lower part makes it easier to see close distance. These glasses are generally recommended for people who have difficulty seeing objects and texts at arm's distance (2).
• Progressive reading glasses:Progressive reading glasses allow seeing objects at different distances. In progressive reading glasses, unlike a harsh transition between distance and near vision, there is a soft transition that enables near vision while looking at distance.
• Blue light glasses:With the increasing use of technological devices such as computers and phones. There is also an increase in the amount of time people spend looking at the screen. Looking at devices that emit blue light, that is, screen light, for a long time can cause eye fatigue over time. Blue light glasses allow the eyes to get less tired when looking at a computer, phone or television screen.

Along with the above, today's reading glasses; They can also be classified as ready-to-use or specially prepared reading glasses. While ready-to-use glasses are preferred by people who do not have any vision problems, those with eye defects such as myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism should use specially prepared glasses. Reading glasses can be designed in full-frame, half-frame or rimless models and with different features, depending on their design as well as their usage areas.

Who Should Use Reading Glasses?

There is no need to have any eye problems to use reading glasses. Book reading glasses are mainly used to rest the eyes while reading something or looking at the screen. In addition, an eye defect known as presbyopia may occur, especially in individuals in the older age group. Presbyopia is caused by the lens of the eye losing its flexibility with age, resulting in focusing problems. People with visual impairments such as presbyopia often need to look from a distance while reading something.

Reading glasses help make reading more comfortable, especially for people with presbyopia. In addition, eye fatigue is common nowadays due to the increase in time spent in front of the screen. For this reason, it is also beneficial to use reading glasses when looking at screens that emit blue light during the day.

Can Reading Glasses Be Used for a Long Time?

Those who want to use reading glasses should first consult an ophthalmologist who is an expert in his field. After the necessary checks, the ophthalmologist explains in detail how and for how long reading glasses should be used. Wearing reading glasses constantly can tire the eyes. However, reading glasses should be used when reading a book or looking at the screen.

What Should You Consider When Choosing Reading Glasses?

Reading glasses can help clarify vision when reading, writing, or doing other close tasks. However, it is important to choose the right reading glasses, as choosing the wrong glasses can cause more vision problems. Some important points to consider when choosing reading glasses can be listed as follows:

• Having an eye examination: It is important to consult an ophthalmologist before choosing reading glasses. As a result of the examination, the specialist ophthalmologist gives detailed information about which reading glasses should be chosen.
• Lense type: Single vision in reading glasses. Different lenses are used, such as bifocal, trifocal and progressive. Single vision lenses make it easier to see nearby objects, while bifocal and trifocal lenses help see objects at near, medium and far distances. Which of these lenses to use is decided by looking at the person's eye problems.
• Eyeglass frame: The eyeglass frame determines the shape and size of the glasses. Frame selection may affect the field of view. Therefore, the width and shape of the frame should suit the face type. In addition, the material used in the frame is also important in terms of comfort and durability.
• Material of the glass used: The material used in glass production affects the quality and weight of the glasses. Polycarbonate or trivex materials may be more resistant to scratches and lighter.

Although reading glasses are glasses that help reading especially from close distances, nowadays they are also used to protect the eyes from the screen rays while looking at the computer, phone or television screen. uses. To feel more comfortable while reading a book, you can make an appointment with a specialist ophthalmologist and get a pair of reading glasses that suit you.