Some adjustments may be needed if you’re new to reading glasses or have a new pair. If one side of your reading glasses seems higher than the other, gently bend the left arm down at the hinge or where it starts to bend behind your ear. Repeat on the right arm.

Get the Right Fit

Getting the right fit when you get your new reading glasses from an online retailer like Zenni Optical is essential to getting used to them. This means they have the right size frames and lenses for your face shape and are correctly positioned so that your pupils align in the center of the lens when you look through them. This ensures you can see clearly without being distracted by glare, distortion, or other visual issues. Whether you’re shopping for your first pair of reading glasses or need a new prescription, picking the correct frames and lenses can be an overwhelming experience. That’s especially true when deciding what strength reading glasses you need. While several online tools can help you estimate the power you need for your reading glasses, these are less accurate than a visit to an optometrist. Having several pairs of reading glasses on hand is also a good idea. Keep a pair at work, in your bag or purse, and at home to always have a pair handy.

Pick the Right Power

When buying reading glasses, picking a pair with the correct strength is essential. You can determine what strength you need by visiting an optician for a consultation or using an eye chart. It’s helpful to bring a book or something similar to read to compare your test results against it. Remember that the higher the magnification power, the stronger your lenses will be. Once you know your lens power, try on a few pairs of over-the-counter readers in that strength and see how well they work for you. Please don’t choose a too strong pair since they could strain your eyes and blur things. It’s also worth trying on a pair slightly weaker than your lens power to see how they fit. You will likely need to change the strength of your reading glasses as you age, as the natural lenses in your eyes will stiffen, and your focus point will move farther away. This age-related change is called presbyopia, and it’s why most adults need to increase the strength of their reading glasses. The average reading glasses are around +0.75 to +2.50 diopters in strength, but many people need stronger or weaker lenses depending on their needs. Glasses with lens powers above +2.75 diopters are usually only available by prescription and won’t be sold at stores or online.

Pick the Right Frame Shape

When browsing through a pair of frames, deciding which looks best on you can be overwhelming. While everyone’s face shape is unique, it’s helpful to have some guidelines when deciding what frame shapes complement your features and bring a natural balance to your appearance. For example, if you have a square face shape that’s broad through the forehead and cheekbones and narrows toward the chin, you should choose rounded frames to add softness to your angular features. Conversely, if your face is round with full cheeks and smooth lines, you should choose angular frames to add contrast and definition. Lastly, if you have a triangle-shaped face with a wide jaw and narrow forehead, you should opt for bold frames on the top and light on the bottom, such as aviator or d-frame styles. Oval faces, typically widest at the forehead and narrower through the chin, can be worn with any frame style or color as they offer a lot of versatility. Slightly oversized frames, bold in shape, or feature-rich textures and details look particularly good on oval faces.

Wear Your Glasses Regularly

Reading glasses are a fantastic invention that has dramatically improved the lives of millions of people. They can help you see close objects more clearly by bending the light that enters your eyes to focus on the retina. This lets you read clearly without squinting and see street signs, cars, and other things. But, it can take time for the brain and eye to get used to seeing with these lenses. During this adjustment period, you may experience some visual distortion, like having objects appear warped or bent. You may also have issues with depth perception, but these are usually temporary. Wearing your glasses regularly will help speed up the adaptation process. Start with a few hours daily, then gradually work up to all-day wear. This consistency will allow your eyes and brain to get used to the lenses, so you don’t feel so surprised when you wear them. It is important to note that it is not healthy for your eyes to wear reading glasses all the time, especially if you have presbyopia. Regularly checking your prescriptions will ensure you don’t need to wear them as often as you do now, so schedule your routine eye exam. This will allow your doctor to monitor your vision and adjust your prescription if needed.