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As a book blogger, I come across a lot of people who lose their reading mojo for one reason or another. My mum was even saying to me that reading is tricky without a good lamp nearby or a sunlit window over your shoulder. However, one of the things that causes the most hurdles for us readers as we get a little bit older (I am 45 by the way) is eye strain caused by having to focus on small print. So, in this article I am going to discuss using magnifying glasses for reading books.
Things That Make Reading A Struggle
In a previous article I wrote Why is reading so important? which sums up just how valuable regular reading can be. The trouble is that some of the hurdles to reading are physical ones. For example, not being able to read the text because it is too small or blurry.
Here are a few things that make enjoying a good book harder:
– a scratched kindle reader or iPad/ phone screen
– poor print quality or crinkled pages
– insufficient lighting of the room
– time of day (some are night owls but others find it hard to stay awake and read at night)
– eye strain (sometimes because of eye condition and also because many people use visual display equipment all day so when they come to read their eyes are already tired)
– disruptive or noisy environments (either at home, work or on public transport)
A Possible Solution
If reading itself is becoming a strain and you have already checked your vision and looked into wearing glasses, then consider this. A magnifying glass for reading is the perfect solution for people with eye strain.
I have only come across these devices recently but my friend tells me they are brilliant. Instead of little circular magnifiers, as pictured below, they are large rectangular glass structures which can also have additional features.
The magnifier linked here is an example of one which includes built in LED lights. As a result it helps with lighting the book as well as expanding the size of the visible print.
Another such example of a book magnifier is linked below. This time it is more like a traditional handheld one. It is affordable and easy to transport as it bends into a key ring holder type cover. You can use this to follow the text line for line, if you prefer.
In A Nutshell
There are many ways to deal with reading barriers. Some of them are easy changes to the environment in which you open your books. Others require making the printed text more visible. It is here that weary eyes can be defeated by using magnifying glasses. They are especially useful if you do a lot of reading at work and your eyes would benefit from a little support when reading as a hobby.
Thank you for taking the time to read my article about improving the reading process. Please share your own thoughts on this in the comments section and consider following my little blog.
My grandpa used such magnifying glasses when he used to read. He’d always say it makes his eyes strain less. Great recommendation.
I’ve been wearing glasses since I was about 6 years old, but was fortunate to not need them for reading until about a year ago. Now I have progressives. It was either that or surgery to lengthen my arms. LOL
Yes that sounds painful. 😛
Interesting choice, Jamie.
I wear contacts and have one lens that is bifocal and one just for distance. Typically this works perfect for me but there are times I pick up my weak readers just to read the fine print. A magnifying glass may be in my future one day though.
I think it is in mine too.
Whenever I tell my mom that to prevent eye strain I am going to buy her magnifying glasses, she cringes and says that she doesn’t need them because she is still young. I mean c’mon! 🧐 There are so many great magnifying glass options available online like the one you have mentioned with led light and key ring.
Yes indeed. So many great options. Thanks for reading.
I wear contacts and have one lens that is bifocal and one just for distance. Typically this works perfect for me but there are times I pick up my weak readers just to read the fine print. A magnifying glass may be in my future one day though
I’ve worn glasses for short-sightedness since I was little, but I don’t currently need them for reading. I’m sure I will at some point, so this would come in very handy 🙂 thank you for sharing Jamie
I must admit magnifiers are a nice solution for us when we do have tired eyes. Thanks for reading.
Yes it is in all of our futures. Thanks for commenting.
I had never considered using a large magnifying glass. Good idea for those struggling to read small print.
These are some really helpful tools to help you be able to enjoy reading a book. I wear glasses and contact lens which help me read. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren.
Thanks for checking it out.