There are many factors to consider when purchasing a pair of reading sunglasses: UV protection, tint, frame style, and reader prescription. The following steps will help you decide on a pair of sunglasses for reading.
Determine what your reading glasses prescription is.
To do this, use a diopter test, which is a test card that has lines of text that go from small to large. Each line has a corresponding prescription. Determine what the smallest line is that you can read without struggling or squinting. The prescription corresponding with that line should be your starting point for determining your reading glasses prescription. Try on a couple pairs of reading glasses that are stronger and weaker in prescription than your starting point. Once you narrow the prescriptions down to two, go with the weaker strength.
Decide if you want a bifocal lens or a full-lens readers.
A pair of bifocal reading sunglasses will have a small area of magnification at the bottom of the lens and a wide area of tinted, prescription-free sunglass at the top. These make it easy to look down at your reading and look up at the beach, all the while protecting your eyes. Full-lens sunglass reading glasses have magnification power throughout the entire lens. They provide a wider area of magnification; however, if you look up and over the top to see something in the distance, your eyes will not be protected from UV rays!
Consider wide or narrow lenses on your reading sunglasses.
This decision is a matter of personal taste and style, but also of UV protection. A pair of wide lenses will work the hardest to block out the most UV rays. However, it’s always good to consider the best frame shape for your face.
Choose the lens type and tint that suits you best.
Polarized reading glasses work to reduce glare off shiny surfaces or water. If you plan to use your sunglass readers by the pool or beach often, consider polarized lenses. There are also several different lens tints that serve different purposes. For example, a gray tint perfect for reading outside on a bright day because the tint distorts your vision the least and is great on clear days.
Pick a style that suits you best.
There are many trendy reading sunglasses and bifocal sunglasses styles to choose from. Perhaps you like retro styles like aviator reading sunglasses and wayfarer sunglasses. Maybe a more sporty shield style of reading sunglasses suits you. There are many options available to suit any taste.