It’s the rare – and lucky – boomer who can get away without needing reading glasses. These are the years when our near-range vision goes blurry. Called presbyopia, it’s the progressive deterioration of near vision that you find you’re losing around the age of 45.
And since I’m the rule, rather than the exception, over the years I’ve managed to build up quite an inventory of reading glasses.
But here’s the thing. Those readers don’t last too long. Why? Two reasons. Either my prescription changes and the glasses “expire” – or I lose them.
Unfortunately, the older I get, the more likely I lose them – which means I have a lot of really nice but useless glasses hanging around and not enough of the ones I actually need. It’s frustrating, really, because no sooner do I buy a new pair that I absolutely fall in love with than poof! They’re gone. I’m tired of calling restaurants and gyms and movie theaters and friends asking if a pair of really cool tortoise-shell round chunky reading glasses turned up lately.
And here’s the other thing. Whenever I change handbags, I inevitably leave something behind. Sometimes it’s tissues, a pen, but usually it’s my reading glasses. Tissues and pens? You don’t always need them and if you do, there’s usually someone you can borrow from. Reading glasses? That’s another story altogether. And squinting, besides causing wrinkles, becomes totally worthless and tiresome after a while. Especially when you have a really important message on your iPhone and you can’t read it.
Long story made short: I want to share my new find with you. Seriously, I’m really excited about it. It’s a why-didn’t-I-think-of-that kind of invention from a company called ThinOptics.
The reading glasses are super-thin (weighing less than a nickel). They’re flat and flexible. They have no “sides” – you just sort of pinch them onto your nose. And I can (almost) guarantee you won’t lose them. There are two easy ways to carry them: they fit into the back of a custom-designed iPhone or Android case, or they slip into a universal (very thin) pod case, which you can carry right in your pocket, purse or even makeup case.
There’s rarely a day that passes that I don’t use mine (which are part of my iPhone case) or are without them (because I almost always have my IPhone with me). Just last week when I was sitting with goppy hair dye covering my head, I wanted to read but didn’t want to get my regular reading glasses covered with the stuff. Voila! Easy enough. ThinOptics to the rescue. Then, this morning, I went out to take a walk, grabbing my iPhone but not my wallet. When I decided to stop at Starbucks to get my soy latte fix, I not only had the ability to pay (I have the Starbucks app on my phone) but as an added bonus I could actually see what I was doing.
I’m not getting paid to promote this new product. I did get a complimentary pair when I discovered them at the Boomer Summit in San Diego a few weeks ago…but I’d still share my discovery with you, free pair or not.
Want a pair? The folks at Thin Optics are generously offering two giveaways to my readers. And even if they weren’t, the prices are pretty reasonable (check them out on their website here).
Just leave me a comment and tell me why you need these glasses and which strength you’d prefer – they come in either 1.75 or 2.50. Two winners will be chosen – the first winner will get the glasses with the iPhone case, and the other winner will get the glasses with the universal flat pod case (in case you’re married to your existing iPhone case).
This giveaway closes Friday, April 4 at 5PM ET. I’ll notify the winner by email (so, please make sure to include your e-mail address!) If you fail to respond within 48 hours of notification, you’ll make someone else happy, because another winner will be chosen. Apologies to those of you who live abroad; the contest is open to U.S. residents only.
If you liked this, you might also like to read:
Small Steps Toward Big Changes http://mysocalledmidlife.net/take-these-20-baby-steps-toward-better-health-without-feeling-deprived/
Surrender & Acceptance http://mysocalledmidlife.net/is-surrender-and-acceptance-the-same/
Cathy Chester says
What a wonderful find, Sheryl!
I’ve been wearing glasses since I was 8 years old, and now that I”m in my 50’s and my eyesight is even worse, I have readers all over the house. I wear contact lenses, but still need readers.
I’d like to know how come the small print is getting even smaller? Is there a conspiracy going on? Anything from newspapers to vitamin bottles have labels with the tiniest print? Hmm.
If I won this giveaway, I wear 1.75!!
SherylK says
I know, Cathy – the print does seem to be getting smaller and smaller – and sometimes, it really is!
Miriam Hendeles says
Hi – this is.a brilliant invention. I know people who wear their
glasses on a string around their neck and other such
tricks. But this is more discrete.
I have been near sighted and wearing glasses for
distance since age 9, and then during my mid
40s, I developed the typical far sighted thing. It’s
complicated.
If I were to win this giveaway, my reading glasses
prescription is -2.50.
Great post about a unique product.
SherylK says
Yes, Miriam, this is definitely discrete…in fact, sometimes I forget I have them on! Thanks for stopping by.
Irene S Levine says
You certainly have the right “market” for this giveaway. I’d “opt” for the stronger prescription so I have an extra pair when I need them:-)
SherylK says
I say you can never be too rich, too thin, or have too many pairs of reading glasses!
Carol Cassara says
Changing the purse–ALWAYS a danger! I love reading glasses and the 1.75 would be a fabulous addition to my collection. They’re fashion statements!
SherylK says
Yes, Carol. When I change the purse I always leave something behind. Every. Single. Time. You’d think I’d learn by now…
Helene Cohen Bludman says
These sound great, Sheryl. I used to need reading glasses, but no I wear bifocal contact lenses so my reading vision is pretty good. I don’t qualify for the 1.75 … yet! I like the fact that these are so easy to store. I’ll keep them in mind.
SherylK says
Hmm…bifocal contacts. I haven’t tried those (yet). Glad they’re working for you, Helene! Were they tough to get used to?
mindy trotta says
Great article, Sheryl, and the glasses sound like a great idea as well. I don’t even know what strength I need because I don’t wear readers (I just squint a lot.) I may just need them…ya think?
Lois Alter Mark says
Wow, what a great idea. Love that they weigh less than a nickel and fit into a phone case. The 1.75 is too strong for me but it sounds like someone will win a fantastic prize!
SherylK says
Sounds like your eyes are still relatively young, Lois! Lucky girl.
Dee Margolis says
What an incredible find. This may shock you, but I am one of few women I know, (actually, I’m the only one!) who doesn’t carry a purse. I bought an iphone case, that yes, I’m married to, which holds one credit card, one folded bill and my driver”s license. I have a lip gloss attached to my car keys. Therefore, now that my poor eyesight has progressed to the point that I need glasses to read anything and everything, I’m constantly carrying a glasses case in my front pocket. When I forget them, It’s really a problem. Yesterday, at my daughter’s dance competition, I walked 1/4 mile back to the venue to purchase pictures. I had to wing it because I forgot my glasses in my car. The pictures are now in the trash because her facial expression is well, expressionless. If I had the pocket pair of these glasses, my problem would be solved! Thank you for a great article!
SherylK says
You are the opposite of me, Dee. I carry a purse that is way too heavy and way too big – and that doesn’t always guarantee that my reading glasses will make it in! Thanks for your comment – it’s always nice to see new names here!
Rosalba Gordon says
Hi Sheryl, I’m in the same boat… I lost my readding glasses all the time.
I get frustrated when I need it and can’t find it, specially if I’m at at Barnes & Noble having a cup of coffe and ready to read a magazine. I’ll love to win a pair of your new find. My prescription is 2..50 ( just in case).
Phoebe Wulliman Graber says
I decided I didn’t want to bother with reading glasses because of the hassles with losing them or having to wear them around my neck (and I didn’t want to look like an old lady). So, I wear progressives all the time (except in bed) with no correction in the top portion! In essence they are reading glasses that stay perched on my nose at all times.
It would be nice to give these ThinOptics a try as I need a pair at my bedside stand. I can’t check my phone without them! My correction is 1.75!
Haven’t won anything in far too long!
Kathy @ SMART Living 365.com says
Hi Sheryl…can I win a pair for my husband? I’m blessed with seeing well up close…it’s the far away that I have trouble with. But we have dozens of reading pairs around the house for my husband and I’m sure he would appreciate them very much. The 2.5’s for him (if we win!)
Don’t make me go to Costco AGAIN for another 3 pack! Thank you!
~Kathy
SherylK says
You are one lucky lady – and the exception to the rule! No reading glasses for you to misplace, like the rest of us…
Karen D. Austin says
I’m too far gone for reading glasses, but this is great information for many other people. Thanks for getting the word out about presbyopia.
Barbara Younger says
I am constantly losing my reading glasses! Love to try these. I’d need the 2.5s. My eyes are fading fast…
Estelle Sobel Erasmus says
Sheryl,
I use reading glasses. I would want the 1.75. I need the glasses because I’m always frustrated when wearing contact lenses that I can’t read a menu in a restaurant. Usually, I leave my bulky (Costco) glasses at home; so the fact that the frames are so lightweight really appeals to me.
Judy Freedman says
Sheryl,
I love all the fun readers but I wear progressives so I don’t need readers. However, I did just purchase prescription computer glasses which are bifocals for computer use and allow me to read as well. They changed my life and I keep them right near my computer so I won’t lose them. Hope the Boomer Summit was worthwhile.
handyreadingglasses.com says
Great information! I wear progressive glasses and they are very expensive. As I am getting more mature (older), my distance site is almost 100% and my eye doctor said in another year or two I would only need reading glasses. The weight of glasses bother me so these would certainly be with a try. I also really love the idea that these reading are discrete!