Save money, and see better, too

Are you struggling to read the financial page of the newspaper…and it has nothing to do with the state of the economy?  Do you find it hard to read the entrees on the menu at your favorite Italian restaurant, even though they include English descriptions?  Or have you recently wondered if you could get some ‘arm extenders’ to lengthen the distance between your eyes and the reading material you’re holding?

If you’re nearing 40 years old, you may be experiencing presbyopia.  As you mature, your eyes’ lenses gradually harden and lose their ability to change shape.  As a result, it becomes difficult to read small print, computer text, or other close work such as sewing.

Fortunately, the problem can be remedied by purchasing a pair of over-the-counter reading glasses that enlarge images so eyes can focus on objects up close.

Dr. Ernest Sutcliffe is a board certified ophthalmologist from Wellesley, Mass.  He says that while people over 40 should see an eye care professional once every two to three years to assess their overall eye health, they can obtain prescription quality reading glasses without a prescription – saving both time and money.  “I recommend Magnivision over-the-counter reading glasses because they have lightweight, scratch-resistant lenses that reduce eye strain.  They magnify images without distortion, allowing your eyes to focus on nearby objects.”

Drug stores, mass market retailers and supermarkets sell a wide variety of affordable over-the-counter reading glasses.  The in-store display makes it easy to self-diagnose which magnification power is needed for your unique set of eyes.

Those who prefer to have an optometrist diagnose the magnification power needed for their eyes may still utilize the affordable option of over-the-counter reading glasses.  The doctor will give the patient a magnification number that can be found at the in-store display, which is usually in the pharmacy area.

Doctor-recommended Magnivision brand reading glasses, for example, offer hundreds of fashionable styles that cost between $15 and $30.  By comparison, prescription lens and frames can cost between $50 and $300.  The affordability also allows people to purchase an extra pair or two to keep next to their favorite reading chair or in their desk drawer.

And at such an affordable price, it may make is easier to swallow the news on the financial page of your newspaper that you will now be able to read with great clarity.