Getting older is a wild ride, isn't it? One minute you're conquering the world, and the next, you're squinting at the menu, wondering when the fine print became so… fine. I remember thinking 40 was just a number, but then my eyes started playing tricks on me. Suddenly, reading a book or even just checking my phone felt like a Herculean task. If you're in the same boat, know that you're not alone! Let me share my journey into the world of reading glasses and what I've learned along the way.
I’d always prided myself on my vision. Even though I needed glasses for distance, I could always see things up close without them. But about a decade ago, I noticed that focusing on things right in front of me through my glasses became difficult. Taking them off helped, but I knew something was changing. It was a slow creep at first. The tiny text on medicine bottles became a blur. The instructions on my favorite recipes seemed to shrink overnight. I found myself holding things further and further away just to decipher them. I even tried ignoring it, hoping it would go away, but it didn't. The struggle was real!
The fine print started to get fuzzy for me right after I turned 40. I remember resisting it at first, thinking, "No, not yet!" But eventually, I caved and bought a pair of cheap drugstore readers. It was a game-changer! Suddenly, the world was in focus again. I bought several pairs and scattered them around the house – one in the kitchen, one by the bed, one in my home office. Within a couple of years, the magnification needed an upgrade. That's when it really hit me: this wasn't a temporary fix; it was a new chapter.
I've always been a bit of a collector, and that tendency spilled over into my reading glasses. I started with my first pair of reading glasses around 45. Now, at 53, I have about 25 pairs! I have this thing about coordinating, so I have them in every color of the rainbow, including one pair that's rainbow-colored. It's a bit silly, I know, but it makes me happy. Plus, it means I always have a pair handy!
My vision journey has been a bit of a roller coaster. I had crummy vision my whole life and got LASIK at 37. For the first time ever, I had perfect vision. It was amazing! I could see everything, near and far, without glasses or contacts. And then, the inevitable happened. Even though my distance vision is still good, the close-up stuff started to go. I was bummed out by the prospect of needing readers, especially after the joy of LASIK. However, I realized that LASIK doesn't prevent age-related vision changes like presbyopia.
I decided to talk to my optometrist and explained my frustration with wearing glasses. I've been wearing contacts for years and didn't want to go back to full-time glasses. She suggested a new prescription where my left eye focuses on longer distances, and the right eye is prescribed for close-up work. It took some getting used to, but now I can see clearly at all distances without constantly switching between glasses and contacts. It's been a lifesaver!
One of my biggest challenges was reading outside. I love to read on my patio, but switching between my regular sunglasses and reading glasses was a pain. That's when I discovered bifocal sunglasses. I found a pair from homepage that I absolutely love. I was searching for a solution for reading in the sun, and stumbled upon JM Bifocal Sunglasses. They are a game-changer!
These JM Bifocal Sunglasses are perfect for reading by the pool or at the beach. The gradient lenses provide great sun protection, and the bifocal portion allows me to read without constantly switching glasses. I love the design too; they're stylish and comfortable. If you struggle with reading in the sun, these are a must-try. The brand Mozaer really nailed it with these!
Here are a few tips I've picked up along the way that might help you adjust to wearing reading glasses: