Reading Glasses

This is probably the first question that pops in to any early 40 or late 30's persons mind right after the shocking thought of "Oh My Gosh! What is happening to my eyes?"

If it seams your eyes just recently stopped working for you up close and you are right around the young age of forty, don't stress. It's called presbyopia.

• [Prez-bee-oh-pee-uh] farsightedness due to ciliary muscle weakness and loss of elasticity in the crystalline lens.

Now that "muscle weakness" is nothing you can fix at the gym and the "loss of elasticity" can not be corrected with Botox. However, those two factors are what makes it near impossible for a previously perfect eye to see clearly up close. The phenomenom is completely age related and, as of today, non-reversible. (and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but presbyopia has a continual and gradual effect)

Don't fear, there are workarounds...

The reason I am calling these"workarounds" is because there is no "cure" for presbyopia. Mainly because it is not a disease. Absolutely every person who reaches there mid forties will experience presbyopia. It's a fact of life. So what are your options to alleviate this condition?

1. Multifocal contact lenses - these work best for people that have already worn contact lenses. If your vision was perfect untill presbyopia set in, you may be in for a compromise in your distance vision too. Nontheless, they do work.
2. Surgery - there are a couple surgical options out there, they are new and may also compromise your distance vision, especially at night. But they do exist, have a serious conversation with your eye doctor about this possibility and expectation if you are considering surgery.
3. Bifocal glasses or reading glasses. They are easy, they work, they don't damage your eyes, and nowadays they actually can look pretty cool.

If you are still reading, you have probably come to grips with the fact that you need something for your eyes. Even if you decide to get multifocal contact lenses (which I am a huge fan of), reading glasses will probably still be necessary in many situations. (Such as in dim lighting or when you lenses are out.)

I have put together a list of some nice reading glasses and a couple points for each style.

EyeBobs is a company that designs some of the most bold, fashionable, and functional readers around. All frames from eyebobs are optical quality, meaning that they are of the same quality as eyeglass frames you can purchase at the local optical outlet for a couple hundreds bucks. Only difference is, because Eyebobs focuses on reading glasses, they can pre-manufacture eyewear in specific powers at a much lower price.

In addition to the all fun shapes, styles and colors available, all eyebobs reading glasses have spring hinges for comfortable fit and long term durability. (This is important for reading glasses as you will be taking them on and off a lot more than a standard pair of eyeglasses.) And the lenses are ground aspheric for crisp optics. (That means clear vision...)

Oh, and did I mention that even the clear lenses offer UV protection? These readers are awesome, and with an average price point around $60, you can't beat the value.

A couple of tips when looking for some EyeBobs:

1. Be bold with your color choice. These readers are not for the person that wants to hide in the corner. These frames are designed to be noticed.
2. It is ok to have multiple pairs to match various outfits, occasions, or moods.
3. Aim for a style that has a contradictory shape to your face. If you have a round face, look for more angular styles, and vice-versa.

Do you want to feel like a superstar every time you put on your reading glasses?

With some of the hottest styles available today, you can.

Reading glasses are available in frames that will suit just about anybodies style. Starting at the simple and convenient types such as Gels by Scojo or Twisties. Both of these are lightweigt and compact readers that you can carry in your pocket. They are always there when you need them.

For the more dressy occasion don some rimless or rhinestone readers. Even the subtle details of frames can make all the difference.

A nice cat-eye curve at the temples gives a whole new sense of confidence to your eye glasses.

For the bold and "fun at heart", the entire line of EyeBobs reading glasses will be a crowd pleaser.