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Why do I need reading glasses after 40?

It usually starts quietly. The phone has to be held a little further away, medicine labels look smaller than they used to, threading a needle or mending a net needs more light, and reading the newspaper at night becomes tiring. For most people this begins somewhere between 40 and 45. It is a normal part of ageing, not a disease, and it is easy to correct.

What is presbyopia?

To see up close, a small muscle inside the eye changes the shape of the eye's natural lens. In childhood this lens is soft and flexible. Over the years it slowly stiffens, so it can no longer change shape enough for near work. The closest point at which you can read clearly moves further away, until your arms are not long enough. This is called presbyopia, from the Greek words for "old eye", although it begins in middle age.

The need for reading power usually increases every couple of years until about 60 to 65, and then stays fairly steady. People with long sight tend to notice it earlier. People with mild short sight may find they can read by taking their distance spectacles off. Eye exercises, diet and supplements do not prevent or reverse presbyopia.

Signs that you need reading glasses

• You hold the phone, a book or a menu at arm's length to read it.
• Small print looks blurred, especially in dim light or late in the evening.
• Your eyes feel tired or you get a headache after reading or close work.
• You need a brighter light than before for sewing, cooking or paperwork.
• You take your distance spectacles off, or push them up, to read.

Ready-made readers or prescription reading glasses?

Ready-made reading glasses are sold in standard strengths. They have the same power in both eyes, do not correct astigmatism, and have the lens centres in a standard position. They may be enough as a spare pair for someone whose eyes are equal, who has no astigmatism and no distance power, and who reads for short periods.

They are not a good choice if your two eyes have different powers, if you have astigmatism or need distance correction, if you read or work up close for long hours, or if they give you headaches or eye strain. Ready-made readers also do not replace an eye examination: buying a pair off a counter means nobody has checked your eye pressure or retina.

Stronger is not better. A reading power that is too strong makes you hold things unnaturally close and blurs anything further away. The right strength depends on your age, your eyes and the distance at which you like to read, which is why it is measured at an eye test for glasses.

One pair or two? Your options

• Single-vision reading glasses: clear for near work only. You take them off, or look over the top, to see across the room.
• Bifocals: distance power on top and reading power below, with a visible line.
• Progressive lenses: distance, middle and near power in one lens with no line. They take a short while to get used to.
• Office or computer lenses: for the desk and screen distance, for people who work at a computer for many hours.

Our page on progressive vs bifocal lenses explains the trade-offs in detail.

Your working distance matters

A phone is usually held 30 to 40 centimetres away, a book a little further, and a computer screen 50 to 70 centimetres away. Reading glasses made for a book will blur a computer screen. Tell the person testing your eyes what you do most: reading, phone, computer, sewing, accounts, cooking, or fine work such as repairing nets or electronics. If you can, measure the distance from your eyes to your screen at work.

Why an eye check at 40 matters

The age at which you first need reading glasses is also the age at which some silent eye diseases start to become more common. Glaucoma often causes no symptoms until sight has been lost, but it can be picked up by checking the eye pressure and the optic nerve. Diabetes and high blood pressure can affect the retina, and early cataract can begin to change your power. A complete eye check-up at around 40, and regularly after that, looks for all of these while your reading power is measured.

Common myths

• "Reading glasses make the eyes lazy." No. Presbyopia progresses with age whether or not you wear reading glasses. Spectacles simply let you read comfortably.
• "Reading in dim light damages the eyes." It does not cause damage, but it is more tiring. Good light makes reading easier after 40.
• "If I can still read the newspaper, my eyes are fine." Reading vision says nothing about eye pressure or the retina. Only an eye check can.

Practical tips

• Read with light coming from behind or beside you, not from in front.
• Increase the text size on your phone.
• Keep a pair of reading glasses where you read most, and a case to protect them.
• Do not wear reading glasses for walking about or driving: the distance will be blurred.

Reading glasses after cataract surgery

Many people still need reading glasses after cataract surgery, depending on the lens chosen for the operation. The eye doctor tells you when the eye has settled for a final power test, usually a few weeks after surgery. See cataract surgery in Vasco.

Getting reading glasses in Vasco

The eye test, the eye health check and the choice of frames and lenses can all be done at ReNew Vision Eye Hospital in Vaddem, Vasco. The eye OPD is open Monday to Saturday, 4 pm to 7 pm. Bring your present spectacles and any ready-made readers you use. See the Vision Correction Centre page, or call or WhatsApp 072489 88039.

Questions patients ask

At what age do people need reading glasses?

Most people notice it between 40 and 45. People with long sight may need them a little earlier. The need for reading power usually increases until about 60 to 65 and then stays fairly steady.

Are ready-made reading glasses safe to use?

They do not harm the eyes, but they may not suit you if your two eyes differ, if you have astigmatism or if you read for long hours. They also do not replace an eye check, which looks for glaucoma, cataract and retina problems.

Will my reading power keep increasing?

Usually yes, every couple of years until about 60 to 65, and then it stays fairly steady. A sudden or frequent change at any age needs an eye check, as it can be caused by blood sugar changes or cataract.

Can eye exercises remove the need for reading glasses?

No. Presbyopia is caused by the natural stiffening of the lens inside the eye. Exercises, diet and supplements do not prevent or reverse it.

Can I use my reading glasses for the computer?

Often not comfortably. Reading glasses are set for book distance, and a screen is further away, so it may look blurred. Office or computer lenses, or a separate pair set for your screen distance, usually work better for long hours.

This page is general eye-health information, not personal medical advice. Your eye doctor advises you after examining your eyes.