# Reading glasses **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 22, 2011, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-glasses/603772 "2011-11-22T17:58:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-glasses/603772/1 "2011-11-22T17:58:46Z")
Hello Everyone, Well, time to admit that I am getting older. For the past year or so I have been forced to use reading glasses when reading or looking at things such as labels. I had an eye exam about 6 months ago and my vision is perfect 20/10 and the only problem being small print. This really isn’t that big of deal and wearing reading glasses doesn’t bother me. However I have noticed lately that when we go to the grocery store that I am having trouble reading the print on food packages and such. I could carry around my reading glasses, but that seems like such a PITA. I would have to keep putting them on, then take them off as it is impossible to walk with them on as you can’t see anything clear that isn’t a few inches away. My options then are to either carry them in my pocket or use one of those cords around my neck to hold them, I don’t like that idea as I think it will make me look and feel a bit older than I am (45) and doesn’t solve the problem of putting them on and taking them off constantly. I don’t need glasses as my vision is fine for everything but reading. What I am wanting to do is see if I can get glasses that have a clear lens with no enhancement that have a bi-focal for reading. I am sure that this can be done, but what I am wondering is: Do I need to have a eye doctor write a prescription for this setup or since they are only in essence reading glasses can I order them and have them made without a prescription? If I can get these I can wear them at a store or other places like one would wear a normal set of glasses. Then I wouldn’t have the problem of taking them on and off all the time. Also, any idea how much something like this would costs? Since I don’t wear prescription eye wear I don’t really know if it is the lens or the frame that makes them expensive. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-glasses/603772/2 "2011-11-22T18:27:53Z")
I see thousands and thousands of glasses. I have been surprised to see a reading glasses label on bifocals. If it says ‘’+2.00 on the leg somewhere, they are reading glasses. I have no clue where to find a pair, but I am betting they exist. I seldom tell people to Google it, but unless somebody else here has more specific information, it may be the only way. Might go to Magnavision’s or Readireaders’ websites. Personal Opitcs? ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-glasses/603772/3 "2011-11-22T18:44:12Z")
I found these–is this similar to what you’re looking for? [http://www.amazon.com/Panorama-Quality-Bifocal-Reading-Included/dp/B0043SK82A](http://www.amazon.com/Panorama-Quality-Bifocal-Reading-Included/dp/B0043SK82A) ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-glasses/603772/4 "2011-11-22T18:56:29Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > I found these–is this similar to what you’re looking for? > [Amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/Panorama-Quality-Bifocal-Reading-Included/dp/B0043SK82A) That’s it and at a great price. Thanks for the time to look. I suppose I should have Googled, but what fun is that? Thanks! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-glasses/603772/5 "2011-11-22T19:22:35Z")
I found some Magnivision reading glasses that come in a case with a flip top that looks like a long narrow Zippo lighter. I carry them with me in my pants pocket whenever I go out. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-glasses/603772/6 "2011-11-22T19:41:31Z")
I have sort of the same problem, but I’m starting to have vision problems in the dark as well. I have a hell of a time in restaurants after dark. One solution that I have is a device that is part magnifying glass and part flashlight. It really helps. But it doesn’t do much to make me look like a young stud. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-glasses/603772/7 "2011-11-23T00:43:00Z")
I just wear narrow reading glasses way down on my nose, so I can look over them for normal sight and read stuff by just glancing down. It takes a few days to get used to walking around like that of course, as the ground looks distorted, but your brain gets used to it pretty quickly. A bit like [this guy](http://careyeasy.com/eye-fashion/reading-glasses-for-people-with-low-income/) except my glasses are narrower top-to-bottom, and have a narrow black rim. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-glasses/603772/8 "2011-11-23T01:03:43Z")
yep, had to get mine at 54.