How to Buy The Right Reading Glasses: Buying Guide

At Sam's Club optical center, we carry a wide assortment of high-quality ready-made reading glasses - for use at the computer, on the go and out in the sun. No matter your style, you'll find just the right look or color to suit your taste.

Sam's Club also sells a variety of other eye care products including contact solution, eye drops, sunglasses, and more.

What are Reading Glasses?

As the name suggests, reading glasses - also called readers - are a type of eyewear designed to help those who have trouble making out words and shapes up close.

For a more technical explanation, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) says reading glasses help address those with up-close vision problems by bending -- also known as refracting -- any light before it reaches your eye.

The cause of this specific problem is presbyopia -- an aging-related condition that generally starts in your 40s, when your eyesight changes and it's no longer easy to see things up close.

You can purchase readers without prescription, but the AAO recommends you have an eye exam to find out the precise power of your reading glasses.

How are reading glasses rated?

You measure your height in feet and inches, weight in pounds and ounces and reading glasses in increments known as diopters. On the low end - i.e. those who need a little help with reading vision - the power is rated as +1.00 diopter. From there, the ratings go up by units of +.25, with the highest rating usually being +4.00 diopters.

At Sam's Club, you can find reading glasses power ratings listed on the product page under the product details. Many of our glasses come in the standard power ratings, including those rated +1.25, +1.50, +1.75, +2.00, +2.50 and +3.00.

How to find my reading glasses power?

This can be determined with an eye exam or trial and error. If you're testing this out on your own, the Cleveland Clinic recommends going with the lowest strength first (+1.00). With the lenses on, try reading something at a usual distance and keep testing until you find the pair of reading glasses that lets you read without any issues.

How do I know if I need reading glasses?

According to WebMD, here are a few signs you may need readers:

• Things look blurry when you hold them up close, but when you move them away they get easier to see and read
• Fine print is harder to read in poor lighting
• You feel an eye strain or even headaches from reading or doing other work with objects close to your eyes

Where to buy packs of reading glasses?

You can buy packs of reading glasses at Sam's Club. Most of our sets come in packs of four. Plus, we offer members-only pricing on select items.

What Different Types of Reading Glasses Are There?

Here's an overview of the most common kinds of reading glasses you may come across in your search - and a bit about what makes each type unique.

Bifocals

This lens type address two issues (thus "bi"-focals) -- the first being problems seeing up close and the second being with seeing far away. For those who want protection from the sun, bifocal reading sunglasses are also available.

Fully Magnified

Unlike bifocals, which usually have the magnification portion in the lower half of the lens to help with reading problems up close and are unmagnified at the top, traditional reading glasses as fully magnified -- i.e., the entire lens is designed to help with reading up close.

Computer Glasses or Computer Readers

Working at a computer all day can be tiring on the eyes. Buy a pair of computer readers from Sam's Club to help eliminate blurriness and minimize screen glare. They are also ideal for use with smartphones and tablets.

Reading Sunglasses

Our tinted sunglass readers are ideal for outdoor use. They also come in magnification from +1.5 up to +3.00. Use them when reading your newspaper with a cup of coffee outdoors or answering a text while lounging on the beach.

Women's Reading Glasses

Look good while you are reading a book or magazine. We carry both plastic and metal fashion reading glasses in a number of chic patterns and designs, such as animal print and cat eye frames. You'll also find an abundance of colors to match your wardrobe, including pink, blue and aqua green.

Men's Reading Glasses

Sam's Club carries a number of reading glasses for men as well. You'll find a variety of looks from professional to sporty. We also have both plastic and metal along with rimless frames for the man who enjoys a designer look.

What Styles of Reading Glasses Can I Choose From?

When you're shopping, here are the main types of lenses and rims you'll find in your search:

• Full Frame Lenses
• Half Frame Lenses
• Rimless Readers
• Semi Rimless Readers

What to Consider When Buying Reading Glasses

Here are some questions to ask yourself as you shop around for the right pair(s) of readers for you:

• When will I use reading glasses?
• Will I or should I use reading glasses at my computer?
• What power do I need?
• How many pairs of reading glasses do I need? (Always have extras on hand.)
• Do I need bifocals or other specialized reading glasses?
• What specifications matter to me?
• Do I need any accessories?

At Sam's Club, all of our reading glasses feature quality aspheric lenses with a scratch-resistant coating. And we also carry accessories, such as eyeglass wipes and tissues to keep your new reading glasses dust- and dirt-free.

What Brands of Reading Glasses Does Sam's Club Sell?

Sam's Club carries reading glasses from I.Image.

FAQ - Reading Glasses

How to clean my reading glasses?

Here are some do's and don'ts for cleaning your lenses:

• Do clean your hands before cleaning your glasses
• Do use a soft microfiber-based lens wipe or alcohol-free lens cleaning solution then dry the lens with the microfiber cloth
• Do be gentle and clean evenly
• Don't use hot water as it can cause damage

Should I wear reading glasses all day?

Experts do not recommend wearing reading glasses all day. They should be used for brief periods of time.

Are readers bad for my eyes?

Reading glasses in and of themselves are not likely to be harmful. And for some, these glasses may work well. That said, experts advise using them for brief periods of time.

How often should I check my eye prescription?

According to WebMD, as you age, your reading glasses prescription may change every year or two. In general, it's recommended to have an exam with an eye doctor every two years to check your vision and to look for other problems related to eyesight and eye health.

How much are reading glasses?

At Sam's Club, we offer four-packs of reading glasses for as low as $19.88 in a variety of styles.