As I was struggling at work this week to read some fine print, I realized I needed the help of my twenty-something workmate, Max. It took him seconds to read what I could not.

I know my eyesight is weakening, but honestly, I have had a good run; being able to accommodate my vision changes throughout the years.

In third grade I got my first pair of glasses, a result of the teacher telling my mother I was squinting at the bulletin board. They were cat glasses, a popular style at the time, but I was still embarrassed and took my glasses off as I passed by the fourth and fifth grade boys as we walked the halls.

As I grew up, glasses were a mainstay. I needed them to read the blackboard, to see street signs when I began driving, and to pick out my friends from a crowd at the football game.

I was introduced to contacts after college. While pricy at the time on my limited income, they allowed me to ditch my glasses and all the inconveniences associated with them – pressure on my nose and ears, sliding down my nose, and fogging up in humid or cold conditions. And I still needed glasses at night after taking my contacts out.

Contacts, however, became a problem when I began to fly several times a week for my job. I would try to take a cat nap mid flight only to have my contacts sticking to my eyeballs as we landed.

That led me to Lasik surgery almost 35 years ago. I opted for monovision, where the dominant eye is corrected for distance vision (seeing far away) and the non-dominant eye is corrected for near vision (reading, phone, menus).

For most of those 35 years, I did not need reading glasses. But a few years ago, after having difficulty reading expiration dates, ingredient listings, and fine print, I broke down and bought a pair.

Drugstore “readers” don’t work for folks with monovision since each eye needs a different prescription. I mostly use my prescription glasses at home, but because they are only for reading, if I look up with my glasses on, I feel dizzy, and that’s not great for fall prevention.

So, rather than using my glasses for some tasks, I have begun relying on a magnifying glass.

I know I have a magnifying app on my phone, and I can also take a picture of something and then expand it to read it more clearly, but there still is nothing like a lighted magnifying glass for some tasks.

If I am checking to see if the bottled salsa I bought months ago has expired, to go through all the trouble to take a picture and then expand it is a lot of work when I can just pull out my magnifying glass and read the date immediately.

If you think a magnifying glass might be the answer for you, here are some things to look for as you consider which might work best.

First, a large lens or a “wide field of view lens” lets more of the text be visible at once, so you don’t have to move the magnifier constantly.

Moderate magnification of 2x or 4x is enough to enlarge small print clearly without making the image blurry.

Many older adults have issues with contrast or poor lighting. A built-in LED light helps make text sharper and reduces eye strain.

Having a comfortable, easy to hold design is also important. An ergonomic handle with a non-slip grip and lightweight structure can ensure your hand does not get tired.

The magnifier should be made of glass or high-quality acrylic that doesn’t distort or add color tint. It should also be scratch-resistant.

Lastly, the magnifier should have a shatter-proof frame, rounded edges, and a handle that is easy to grip. If the magnifier drops, that extra protection helps.

Magnifying glasses come in all price ranges and sizes. In the end, a good magnifying glass isn’t just a tool—it’s a simple, practical way to preserve independence and ease in everyday life.