Readers at the computer
Can you use reading glasses for the computer?
Yes, with the right power for the screen, or a lens made for the whole desk.
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The short answer
You can use reading glasses for the computer if the power matches your screen distance. Reading glasses focus at about 18 to 22 inches. A monitor usually sits farther out, so it needs a little less power, about three quarters of your reading number. If you also read your phone at the desk, a multifocal lens such as EV6™ holds both, from 18 inches to 6 feet.
Three options
Ways to see the screen
- Readers in a lower power
A single-distance pair set for your monitor. Good for long stretches at one screen. The strength guide has the numbers. Our reading glasses start at $145.
- Bring the screen closer
Readers focus at about 18 to 22 inches. A laptop pulled in that close can come into focus, though the American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests sitting about 25 inches away.
- A lens for the whole desk
EV6 puts your reading power at the bottom for the phone and eases it off toward the monitor and the room, so the whole desk is in focus.
Wrong-distance readers
Signs your readers are set too close
Readers focused for a book are a little too strong for a monitor. It usually shows up in one of these ways.
- Blur
The screen never looks quite sharp, even with clean lenses.
- Leaning in
You pull your head toward the monitor to reach the point where the lens focuses. Over a full day you feel it in your neck and back.
- Tired eyes and headaches
Your eyes work harder to make up for a lens set for a closer distance. The ache often sits at the forehead or temples.
- Stronger readers make it worse
More power pulls the focus even closer. The screen needs a lower power, or a lens that covers more than one distance.
EV6
Made for the desk
You order EV6 in your reading power, the same number as your readers. It sits at the bottom of the lens and lightens as you look up, so the monitor at three feet and the person across the desk at six feet are both in focus.
It stops at six feet, so its clear corridor runs nearly edge to edge.
See the difference
EV6 at the desk
On the left, a standard progressive that reaches the horizon. On the right, EV6, which stops at six feet.
The same desk through two lenses. EV6 stops at six feet, and the width it saves shows up as corridor.
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Customer reviews
What customers say
“Great glasses…yet again”
This is my fourth pair from Lens and Frame and their EV Readers are amazing. Highly recommend this company.
“Perfect!”
These are something that you really don’t know how much you need, until you’re wearing them. They’re a game changer for me!
“customer service”
maybe one of the best customer focus companies around. very responsive, very polite, and great communication. i'd give 6 stars if i could
“Best progressives EVER”
I’ve bought progressives from just about every company, but they were all so difficult to use. Lens & Frames are high quality and provide clear and perfect vision at every single level. I can see perfectly even while dri…
“LOVE”
These readers have changed my work life! I recently started a desk job and had to find something ASAP for my close up vision. I wanted something that was great quality and that I could use my HSA for and these are it! Th…
“One pair isn't enough...”
Quality frames and good vision. I'm about 90% happy with my vision when I used my new glasses for reading and computer. I say 90% because the 'reading power' I selected from from a pair of basic drug store readers and mi…
How it works
From your order to your desk
Pick a frame and a range
Each range comes in 35 frames from L&F, Ombraz, RAEN and STATE Optical.
Order your reading power
The power you’d use to read a book, from +1.00 to +2.75. Add your PD, which you can measure at home in about a minute.
We make them in about two weeks
We digitally surface, coat and edge the lenses in California. Shipping is free and takes about three days.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Are reading glasses good for computer use?
In the right power, yes. A monitor sits farther away than a book, so it needs a little less power than your reading number.
Do reading glasses help with computer work?
If your screen looks soft, a pair with the right power for screen distance brings it into focus.
Are there reading glasses made for computer use?
Yes. Computer readers are focused farther out than standard readers. EV6 covers the whole desk, from 18 inches to 6 feet.
Which reading power should I order?
Order the power you’d use to read a book or your phone up close. That full power sits at the bottom of the lens. The lens eases it down for your screen and the room. If you already wear drugstore readers, their number is your starting point. Which power to order walks through it.
What if they aren’t right for me?
You have 30 days from delivery to return them for a full refund, with a prepaid label. Within 60 days we’ll remake the lenses at no charge if the power or measurements need adjusting, or exchange them for a different frame style, color or lens option. Start any of these through the contact form.
EV6
Reading glasses made for the desk.
Made to your measurements · Free 3-day shipping · 1-year scratch warranty
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