{"id":10636,"date":"2020-08-04T03:34:01","date_gmt":"2020-08-04T07:34:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eyebuydirect.com\/blog\/?p=10636"},"modified":"2023-08-23T21:44:54","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T01:44:54","slug":"reading-glasses-prescription-numbers-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eyebuydirect.com\/blog\/reading-glasses-prescription-numbers-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Reading glasses: prescription numbers explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reviewed by Thomas Stokkermans, OD, PhD<\/a> on June 23, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

At some point as you get older, you will probably need a little help reading smaller text. Age-related changes within your eyes can make it difficult to focus on small print and nearby objects. <\/span>Reading glasses<\/span><\/a> and<\/span> reading sunglasses<\/span><\/a> can improve near vision, and are available in a range of prescription powers.<\/span><\/p>\n

After an eye exam, your eye doctor will give you a prescription with all the information you\u2019ll need to buy the correct reading glasses. These numbers and symbols listed on a <\/span>glasses prescription<\/span><\/a> might be a little confusing, so we\u2019ll break down what everything means below.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Why You Might Need Reading Glasses<\/b><\/h2>\n

Starting around age 40, most people begin experiencing a vision condition called presbyopia. Presbyopia affects a person’s close-up vision, which can interfere with near tasks like reading and writing. Slowly losing the ability to focus up close can be scary for many. And for people who rely on near vision for their livelihoods, like tailors and accountants, it can be detrimental.<\/span><\/p>\n

Presbyopia is caused by the natural aging of the eye’s crystalline lens. Like a camera, the crystalline lens of the eye adjusts to focus on objects at every distance. As you age, the lens stiffens and isn’t able to adjust as well as it used to \u2014 particularly in regard to focusing up close. This causes near vision to appear blurry, especially if you’re trying to read fine print or focus in a poorly lit environment.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Reading glasses help correct presbyopia by focusing the eye on the near focal point and sharpening its details. Everyone’s eyes are different and at varying stages of presbyopia, so there are many benefits of using reading glasses. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Why the Correct Reading Glasses Strength Is Important<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you’re new to reading glasses, seeing all the lens power options may feel a little overwhelming. But before you pick just any pair of readers, you should find the correct lens power for your particular vision needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Using a lens power that’s too weak or too strong can cause things to continue looking out of focus. This can lead to eye strain (sore, tired eyes) and headaches. Ultimately, having reading glasses with the wrong lens power will make you feel less inclined to use them, which won\u2019t help you see better. You should have reading glasses that fit you well enough that you <\/span>want<\/span><\/i> to wear them.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Understanding Your Reading Glasses Lens Power<\/b><\/h2>\n

A reading glasses prescription looks nearly the same as a standard eyeglasses prescription. However, reading glasses prescriptions will always have a sphere (SPH) number, or lens power, with a plus symbol (+). This indicates that the lenses will improve your eyes\u2019 focusing power for close-up objects.<\/span><\/p>\n

The numbers after the plus symbol are measurements (called diopters) that show how much corrective strength is in the lens. Drugstore reading glasses usually range from +1.00 D to +3.50 D, increasing in increments of +0.25 D.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While this isn’t a bad option, you may be able to get a more precise fit by starting at +0.25 D and increasing to a much higher strength when needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eyebuydirect reading glasses lens powers range from +0.25 D to +12.00 D. The strength that will work for you depends on how much correction you need. The higher the number on the prescription, the stronger the lens power and the more vision correction you need.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Different Levels of Lens Power<\/b><\/h2>\n

As mentioned earlier, reading glasses lens powers usually begin at +0.25 D and increase in increments of +0.25 D. Lens powers of +0.25 D and +0.50 D are very low and may be used by people who don\u2019t actually have presbyopia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, these lower-power readers may be used by people who want a more comfortable and in-focus view of something small that they need to look at for a long period of time. An example of this is someone who makes jewelry or paints figurines and needs a very sharp view of a small object for hours at a time.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By the time someone recognizes a change in their near vision, they’re usually at +0.75 D or higher.<\/span><\/p>\n

Average Reading Lens Power by Age<\/span><\/h3>\n

While it varies from person to person, these lens powers are common for the following age ranges when reading at a distance of 14 to 16 inches:<\/span><\/p>\n