How to try on all the reader strengths… from home?

January 8, 2023 12:27 PM

What I am looking for is a pack of reader glasses that has one pair of each strength/prescription, so I can wear them around and figure out what I actually need. (My searching has only turned up multi-packs of the same prescription, which will be great in the future but not now.)

I’d like to be able to order this set of readers online, and preferably not spend a ton of money on it. At this point I am avoiding indoor places because of Covid risks, so please only steer me to online options!

Thanks for your help with this. I feel like this is something that should exist, but I’m now frustrated enough at not being able to find it all that I could really use the help of some other brains.

posted by rocketing to Shopping (8 answers total)

Is there a local drug store that carries them and delivers in your neighbourhood? I don't know if they'd carry the really cheap ones like the dollar stores do, but if they aren't the $10-15 dollar readers that might be an option.
posted by kate4914 at 12:38 PM on January 8, 2023

... or failing that, I wonder if they'd deliver three or four pairs, and let you return what doesn't work?
posted by kate4914 at 12:44 PM on January 8, 2023 [1 favorite]

I've bought several pairs over the years at Home Depot. They carry different strengths with pretty sturdy frames for $5-6 each. I assume they'd deliver, or arrange outside pickup. You could return what doesn't suit.
posted by conscious matter at 12:53 PM on January 8, 2023

I did this by buying a pack of assorted reading glasses from eBay, something like this. I had a set of ten different strengths, but can't find that now. You might be able to by searching.

Afterwards, I listed the ones I didn't want on NextDoor, and easily found a home for them.
posted by FencingGal at 1:01 PM on January 8, 2023

Dollar Tree has readers of all strengths for a dollar each. Assuming there's one near you (there are I think 5 within a mile of my house), you can order from Dollar Tree on Instacart
posted by hydropsyche at 1:32 PM on January 8, 2023 [3 favorites]

I haven't tried any of these but I thought "surely someone has written a virtual program for this".
Here's what I found:
https://www.google.com/search?q=virtual+reader+strength+evaluator&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari
posted by BoscosMom at 2:10 PM on January 8, 2023

I found these on Amazon that sounds like what you want. I don't know anything about the seller or quality though.
posted by BoscosMom at 2:23 PM on January 8, 2023

I would but several pairs thru Amazon then return the ones that don't work. (I have Prime)
posted by tristeza at 2:24 PM on January 8, 2023