Reading glasses have simple magnifying lenses, making letters appear larger. You do not need a prescription to order reading glasses, but you do need to know what your reading power is. You can figure this out at the eye doctor’s office, or by experimenting in the drugstore.
Magnifying lenses which are used to treat mild hyperopia and presbyopia, normally referred to as reading glasses, can be bought off the shelf. Most glasses are made to an individual prescription, based on degree of myopia or hyperopia combined with astigmatism if applicable. Lenses can be ground to specific prescriptions, but in some cases standard off-the-shelf prescriptions suffice, though they require custom fitting to particular frames.
Reading glasses come in many different types, reading powers, and shapes. Designer reading glasses, bifocal reading glasses, computer reading glasses, folding reading glasses, and rimless reading glasses are the most popular types.
Folding reading glasses fold up into a smaller package, making them easier to carry around.
Prescription reading glasses frames sit well down your nose, so you can look over the top of the frame for distance viewing, and look down your nose for reading.
Computer reading glasses are designed for a longer focal length — about 30″ compared to the 18″ focal length for standard reading glasses. Reading glasses come pre-loaded with magnifying lenses, or you can make any pair of glasses into designer reading glasses, just by adding a customer reading lens. Folding reading glasses are also very popular.