Three Options
Different Needs
Pick the Right One
Reading Glasses vs. Prescription Glasses vs. Progressives

Drugstore readers work for some people and not others -- here's how to know which category you actually fall into.

Over-the-Counter Readers

Generic, symmetric magnification for both eyes. Fine only if your eyes need identical, simple correction with no astigmatism.

Prescription Reading Glasses

Customized to your exact prescription for close-up vision, including astigmatism correction if needed.

Progressives

Correct distance, intermediate, and near vision all in one lens, for those who need correction beyond just reading.

When Drugstore Readers Fall Short

Over-the-counter readers assume both eyes need the same correction and that you have no astigmatism -- assumptions that don't hold for a large share of people. They also only correct one distance, which is fine if you only ever need help with close-up text, but is a poor fit if you also need correction for distance vision or want one pair of glasses for everything.

If you already need vision correction for distance (nearsighted or farsighted) and are now also noticing close-up strain, progressives are almost always the better solution, rather than switching between distance glasses and reading glasses all day.

A Simple Test If you've tried drugstore readers and they still feel slightly blurry or cause headaches, that's often a sign of uncorrected astigmatism or an eye-to-eye difference that only a proper prescription accounts for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just buy the strongest drugstore readers I can find? +
This is not recommended -- over-magnifying can cause eye strain and headaches, and won't correct astigmatism or eye-to-eye differences even at high strength.
I only struggle with reading -- do I need progressives? +
Not necessarily. If distance vision is otherwise fine, prescription reading glasses (single vision, calibrated for near distance) are usually sufficient.
Are prescription reading glasses covered by FSA/HSA? +
Yes, prescription eyewear of any kind, including reading glasses, is FSA/HSA eligible.
How do I know if I need progressives instead of readers? +
If you need correction for both distance and near vision, progressives let you avoid switching glasses throughout the day.
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Skip the drugstore aisle

Get reading glasses, progressives, or any prescription lens made to your exact numbers, starting at $49.