How to Read Well as You Age

Have you ever sat back in a comfy chair and cracked open a book, letting your eyes scan across the pages to dive into the content? Reading has been ubiquitous with calm leisure, no matter if you’re enjoying the Sunday paper or exploring new worlds at the bookstore. Your vision can make a huge difference in your enjoyment, but there are steps you can take now and as your eyesight fades to keep the pages turning.

Keeping adequate light

As eager as you may be to read your favorite book through the night, you still need to make sure that you have a proper light source. Reading in the dark can overwork and strain your eyes to the point of blurry vision and headaches. If you suffer from eye conditions like chronic dry eye and macular degeneration, additional lighting can be really beneficial and provide more comfort while reading.

Limit your time on the screen

On the other hand, too much light exposure can also cause vision issues. As the push for more publications to go digital continues, e-readers become a popular method of reading books and articles. The blue light emitted by these readers can also cause eye fatigue while also affecting your sleep cycle with repeated usage at night.

Dr. Joshua Rheinbolt, a CEENTA ophthalmologist from our Concord office, has specific advice regarding your blue light exposure. “Consider blocking blue light from your screens at least two hours prior to sleep by using blue light blocking glasses or adjusting the light settings on your device.”

Consider the size of the font

Trying to read a book with small font can be frustrating, especially as your vision diminishes. Many bookstores have opted to carry large-print editions of popular novels and informational texts to accommodate varying eyesight levels. If you’re reading on a digital platform, you can also increase the size of the font or the screen itself depending on the web browser. Electronic readers (e-readers) have helped millions of readers suffering from vision loss continue to enjoy their favorite pastime.

Blink often

No matter how engaging your book or article may be, make sure to blink frequently while you read. Blinking allows your eyes to retain moisture and prevent dry eye symptoms. This is especially pertinent if you are wearing contact lenses. “If your vision fluctuates while reading, this could be an indication of dry eye,” remarks Dr. Rheinbolt. “Using artificial tears prior to reading can be helpful, along with taking a thirty second break every twenty minutes to replenish your tear film.”

Update your prescription

As you get older, your vision will inevitably not be as strong as it was before. One of the most frustrating aspects of reading is being unable to see the text despite having proper lighting, font, and moderation. Routine eye exams allow you to see whether or not your eye prescriptions are up-to-date and if you need to update your eyewear or contacts if that is the case.

Immerse yourself into your stories again with an eye exam at CEENTA. Whether it’s finding the right pair of reading glasses or coming in for conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, or vision loss, your path to new reading begins here. Schedule with Dr. Rheinbolt at our Concord location today to see the possibilities in a whole new light.

This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor. New patients can make appointments online with our eye doctors in North and South Carolina. Current patients can also make appointments through myCEENTAchart with physicians they have already seen.