Computer Glasses vs Reading Glasses: Which Do You Need?
What Are Reading Glasses?
Reading glasses magnify close-up text and objects, making it easier to read books, menus, labels and your phone. Most people start to need them from their mid-40s onwards, as the eyes naturally find it harder to focus up close.
Our reading glasses are ready-made in strengths from +1.00 to +4.00, so you can simply choose your strength and order online. Not sure which strength you need? Our free eye chart can help.
What Are Computer Glasses?
Computer glasses are designed for screen use. Our computer glasses all have blue light-filtering lenses and come in strengths from +0.00 to +3.50. That means you can choose a pair with magnification for close-up screen work, or +0.00 lenses if you just want the blue light filter without any magnification.
The Key Differences
| Reading glasses | Computer glasses | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Books, menus, phones and close-up tasks | Laptops, desktop screens and tablets |
| Typical distance | Close up, around 30 to 40cm | A little further, around arm's length |
| Lenses | Magnifying lenses | Blue light-filtering lenses |
| Strengths (our range) | +1.00 to +4.00 | +0.00 to +3.50 |
Can I Use My Reading Glasses for the Computer?
You can, but they may not feel quite right. Screens usually sit further away than a book, so reading glasses can make your screen look slightly blurry unless you lean in. That's why many people choose a slightly lower strength for screen work than they use for reading. If you read at +2.00, for example, you might find +1.50 more comfortable at your desk.
If you're unsure, use our eye chart as a guide and try a lower strength for your computer.
Do Blue Light Glasses Help?
Research into blue light glasses is still mixed, so we won't make big promises. What we can say is that many people find computer glasses make long screen sessions feel more comfortable.
Whatever glasses you wear, good screen habits make a real difference:
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Take regular breaks away from your screen.
- Position your screen at about arm's length, slightly below eye level.
- Blink often, as we tend to blink less when concentrating on a screen.
If you have ongoing eye discomfort or headaches, it's always worth speaking to your optician.
Which Should I Choose?
- You mainly work at a computer: computer glasses are a great fit. Try our classic BluShield or the round metal Josef.
- You mainly read books, papers and your phone: reading glasses are the simplest choice, with plenty of styles for women and men.
- You're always on the move: our compact Fold Flat computer glasses fold away for your bag, and our Neck Hanging Computer Glasses are easy to keep to hand.
- You do both: many people keep a pair of each, one for reading and one at their desk. Our multipacks make it easy to keep spare reading glasses around the home too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear computer glasses all day?
Yes, our computer glasses are lightweight and comfortable for a full working day. You can take them off when you're away from your screen if you prefer.
Do computer glasses come without magnification?
Yes, our computer glasses are available at +0.00, which gives you the blue light-filtering lens with no magnification.
Are computer glasses good for gaming?
Yes, they're designed for any screen, so they work just as well for gaming, tablets and phones as they do for computers.
What strength computer glasses do I need?
Many people choose a slightly lower strength than their reading glasses, as screens sit further away than a book. Use our free eye chart as a starting point.
Ready to find your pair? Browse our full range of reading glasses and computer glasses, with free UK delivery when you order 2 or more pairs.
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