What are Prism Reading Glasses?

Heard about prism reading glasses, but aren’t sure what they are? Read on!

What are Prism Reading Glasses?

Prism reading glasses are spectacles that turn your vision 90 degrees towards your feet, allowing you to read a book or watch TV while laying flat on your back. They use prisms, not mirrors, to turn your line of sight, removing the reversed image and distortion that is typical of mirrors.

Prism reading glasses do not contain a reading glasses lens like you’d find in a pair of readers at the drug store. Instead, some prism reading glasses come in a “fitover” style that will fit over your reading glasses or prescription glasses, allowing you to use them with your current eyewear.

One of the nicest things about prism reading glasses is their versatility. They are used by people with neck and back injuries or strains who have a hard time sitting up to watch TV or read, people who are hospitalized and cannot sit up, and people who just want to lay down and relax in bed after a long day, but still want to wind down with a book or TV show.

Here’s what you need to know about prism reading glasses:

  • Prism reading glasses are designed to give you perfect vision at a 90 degree angle towards your feet. This means that you can see a TV at the foot of your bed or a book that’s propped up on your chest while laying perfectly flat. No need to sit up or strain your neck.
  • Prism reading glasses are used by people who would like to lay down at the end of a long day and read a book or watch their favorite show, people who have neck or back injuries that are aggravated by prolonged sitting or neck straining in bed, and people who are hospitalized and cannot sit up or move their neck.
  • Prism reading glasses do not have their own reading power; they only turn your vision 90 degrees down. They do come in a “fitover” style, though, which will fit over existing reading glasses or prescription glasses.
  • Prism reading glasses use optical glass prisms (not mirrors) to turn your vision. This means that they do not cause the distortion or the reversed image that mirrors cause. They give you perfect, clear, regular vision at a 90 degree angle.
  • Prism reading glasses make a great gift to somebody who is injured or recovering from a surgery.
  • Prism reading glasses were originally developed for use with MRI’s, allowing claustrophobic patients to see out of the MRI machine (past their feet) during the procedure. They are made of high-quality optical prisms and frame materials, making them durable, long-lasting, and comfortable.

Once you use your prism glasses for the first time, you’ll realize that you’ve been missing out. They have plenty of other uses besides the bed as well, such as in hobbies, at work, or when you’re sitting at the table reading for a long period of time.

The demand for prism reading glasses exploded after they were featured in the movie “The Bucket List.” Since then, more and more people are enjoying the comfort and lack of back and neck strain that prism glasses provide.

If you have any questions about prism reading glasses, leave us a comment below! Thanks for reading!

  1. Sheila Terry says:

    Does this mean that my Prism Reading glasses can only work if I am laying flat on my back?? I have been using them only while I am sitting up in a chair or couch and they can only see clearly for 5 minutes! I never read flat on my back and no Eye Dr or Orthoptist ever told me this!!!

  2. Is it possible to create prism reading glasses with prescription lens?

  3. Rod Ross says:

    Great article!
    I have a pair. How do I defog them on the inside?


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