For followers of my blog you may have read my e-book titled: 'A Guide To Lasik Surgery In Thailand' on Amazon.com where at the age of 52 I had to come to terms with the fact my ever-declining vision was negatively impacting my lifestyle.
As a consequence, I embarked on a journey to explore the options for laser eye surgery including Lasik vision correction surgery. The guide details my personal quest from initial investigation of corrective surgery options at home to opting ‘in’ on the medical tourism boom in Asia.
Having elected distance vision over a near vision preference as my surgical outcome, I now wear single-vision reading glasses with a strength of +1.25 when reading or undertaking any type of 'close work'. It's been six months now since the surgery and I've been seeking out reading glasses which fulfil a practical and aesthetic purpose in my daily life.
Can A Pair Of Over The Counter Readers Work For Me?
Ready-made single-vision reading glasses are known by many names including:
- Magnifiers
- Non-prescription glasses or readers
- Ready Readers
- Cheaters
- Generic Readers
Whatever name you may know these products by, they can generally be purchased over the counter at retail stores including pharmacies, supermarkets and even petrol stations. Readers are available in a range of strengths from between +0.75 to +3.50 diopters and offer a cost effective solution to the achievement of clearer vision for people with presbyopia and hyperopia.
However readers are of little use for those in need of astigmatism correction, which influence both the near and distance prescription. If the wearer has little to no need for the correction of astigmatism then a good pair of readers can work well for people such as myself who rely on them for performing near vision tasks.
Traditionally readers were available in two styles being full frame - where the entire lens is made within the frame and half eyes, which sit lower down on the nose. Full frame readers need to be removed to see distance clearly, while the distance can be clearly viewed by looking over the top of half eye readers.
I recently came across a brand called 'ThinOPTICS' who manufacture a range of compact readers for the visually challenged and I'm not alone it seems, with over 30 million Americans purchasing at least two pairs of reading glasses every year. Much like myself, they've probably lost them, like the 3 pairs I've purchased in the last six months alone to replace lost or broken pairs!
That's what caught my attention with ThinOPTICS. I believe they have potentially solved this laughably common problem with their nifty design. ThinOptics readers are so ultra slim and lightweight, they slip directly into special accessory smart phone cases or their uniquely designed key chain case, and are easily removed. When fitted the readers grip the bridge of your nose with confidence when it’s time to do some reading.
The readers themselves are so strong the manufacturer provides a free lifetime replacement that guarantees to warrant your purchase against defects, workmanship and failures under normal use forever, together with a 30 day money back guarantee if you are not happy with your purchase.
These glasses feature a especially strong and flexible titanium alloy nose bridge which is combined with independent suspension nose pads, allowing the bridge to clamp down on your nose with reliable confidence, which negates the need for the arms which extend beyond the temple and sit over the tops of the ears.
I’m wearing my ThinOPTICS as I write this blog and I find them to be comfortable and easy to wear for long periods of time. The readers are incredibly thin and lightweight, so they don't add any bulk when you slip them into whichever case accessory you end up buying.
I have observed though that when eating they do have a tendency to slip off my nose, however with a little practice I'm sure I will find just the right spot to fit them onto the bridge of my nose to overcome this issue.
Are ThinOPTICS Durable?
ThinOPTICS are made from thermo-injection molded optical grade polycarbonate, which is shatter proof and frequently used in safety and ballistic (bullet proof) eyewear. The bridge is made from Nitinol, which is 10x more elastic than spring steel. The Nitinol bridge is encased in medical grade silicon tubing, and anchored in the injection molded polycarbonate frame.
Will ThinOPTICS fit every nose?
ThinOPTICS have been designed to fit the vast majority of noses. They can be positioned higher up the nose to fit right in front of the eyes. For those with smaller or flatter bridges, they can be positioned to fit right above the nostrils. The company has tested hundreds of different combinations of nose pad angles and widths to arrive at the optimal design for the majority of noses.
ThinOPTICS come in a range of colors and designs with a special 'curated collections' for the fashion forward reader.
Yellow Floral from the Curated Range
Metals from the Curated Range
Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades from the Curated Range
ThinOPTICS are available in four strengths and are manufactured using optical-grade polycarbonate lenses (same as high-end prescription glasses).
+1.00 - also fits +0.75 to +1.25
+1.50 - also fits +1.25 to +1.75
+2.00 - also fits +1.75 to +2.25
+2.50 - also fits +2.25 to +2.75
Selecting the Right Strength for Reading Glasses
Step One
Print this eye test chart. Make sure “Fit to Page” is off. The page should print at actual size. Do not test vision on screen. To make sure this test is accurate, the chart should be 5 inches wide. Note: The Printed diagram should be 5” wide.
Step Two
With your glasses off, read the lines of copy in the chart from a distance of about 14 inches.
Step Three
The first line you have difficulty reading corresponds to the lens strength that is best suited for you.
My new ThinOPTICS readers are a great addition to my travel kit.