Reading Glasses & Bifocal Sunglasses for Sports and Outdoors

Need reading help without giving up the sunglasses or sports eyewear you actually want to wear?

SportEyes carries reading glasses, bifocal sunglasses, sunglass readers, and stick-on bifocal lenses for active adults who need help seeing up close.

Whether you're trying to read a scorecard on the golf course, tie a fishing knot, check a cycling computer, read your phone outdoors, work on a project, or simply read a menu in the sun, there are several ways to add near vision.

Options include:

• Ready-made reading glasses
• Bifocal reader sunglasses
• Polarized bifocal sunglasses
• Sports sunglasses with reader lenses
• Stick-on bifocal lenses
• Removable press-on bifocals
• Custom prescription bifocals
• Custom progressive lenses on compatible eyewear

The right solution depends on what you need to see, where you need to see it, and what you're doing while wearing the glasses.

What Are Bifocal Sunglasses?

Bifocal sunglasses combine sun protection with a small reading area in the lower portion of the lens.

The majority of the lens remains designed for distance vision without reading magnification, while the lower segment provides magnification for near tasks.

This lets you look straight ahead normally and then look down through the reader when you need to see something close.

SportEyes' current sunglass-reader collection includes ready-made bifocal powers such as:

• +1.00
• +1.50
• +2.00
• +2.50

depending on the product.

For many active adults, this is much more convenient than constantly switching between sunglasses and reading glasses.

Who Are Bifocal Sunglass Readers For?

Reader sunglasses can be useful anytime you need distance vision outdoors but occasionally need magnification up close.

Common uses include:

• Fishing
• Golf
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Boating
• Sailing
• Watersports
• Gardening
• Outdoor work
• Driving and travel
• Reading maps
• Checking a phone or GPS
• Reading menus outdoors

The important question isn't simply:

"Do I need readers?"

It's:

"What do I need to see up close while I'm wearing these glasses?"

That answer helps determine which type of reader makes the most sense.

Reading Glasses vs. Bifocal Sunglasses

They're designed for different situations.

Reading Glasses

Traditional readers magnify most or all of the lens.

They're useful when your primary task is close-up, such as:

• Reading
• Looking at a phone or tablet
• Working at a desk
• Doing detailed close work

The problem is that you generally don't want that magnification when you're looking across a golf course, riding a bike, walking outdoors, or scanning the water while fishing.

Bifocal Sunglasses

Bifocal sunglass readers leave the majority of the lens available for distance viewing while putting reading magnification in a smaller lower portion.

Look straight ahead for distance.

Look down through the reader for near vision.

For many outdoor activities, that's a much more practical arrangement.

Polarized Bifocal Sunglasses

Polarized bifocal sunglasses combine two useful features:

Polarization helps reduce reflected glare.

The bifocal reader provides magnification for near tasks.

This combination can be particularly useful for:

• Fishing
• Boating
• Driving
• Watersports
• General outdoor activities

SportEyes' current sunglass-reader collection is heavily oriented toward polarized options.

Keep in mind that polarization can affect the appearance of some LCD and digital displays at certain viewing angles.

If you regularly need to see a fish finder, GPS, bike computer, dashboard display, or phone, that's worth considering when choosing lenses.

Bifocal Fishing Sunglasses

Fishing is one of the best examples of why bifocal sunglasses are useful.

You need clear distance vision to see:

• The water
• Shoreline
• Structure
• Other boats
• Your surroundings

But a few seconds later, you may need near vision to:

• Tie a knot
• Change a fly
• Bait a hook
• Handle small tackle
• Read a fish finder
• Check your phone

Polarized bifocal sunglasses can combine glare reduction with the near magnification needed for these tasks.

For customers who require an actual prescription rather than simple reading magnification, custom bifocal or progressive fishing sunglasses may also be possible depending on the frame and prescription.

Bifocal Sunglasses for Golf

Golf is where reader placement becomes especially important.

A golfer may need near vision to:

• Read a scorecard
• Check a phone or GPS
• Read a rangefinder display
• Handle other close-up tasks

But there's a problem with conventional bifocal and progressive positioning.

When a golfer looks downward at the ball, the eyes may move into the near or intermediate portion of the lens.

That can interfere with a clear view of the ball and potentially affect how the golfer perceives its position.

That's why we don't automatically recommend a conventional bifocal or standard progressive for every golfer.

Why Stick-On Readers Can Be Excellent for Golf

One of our favorite solutions for golfers is a removable or stick-on reading segment positioned very low—or even off to one side—of the sunglass lens.

The golfer maintains clear distance vision through the main portion of the lens.

When it's time to read the scorecard or another close object, they deliberately look through the reader.

SportEyes' Press-On Bifocals can be positioned where they're most useful for the individual sport rather than being permanently placed in the conventional bifocal location. Our current product information specifically discusses placing the segment away from the golfer's normal downward line of sight to the ball.

That can be a much better sports-specific solution than simply putting a traditional bifocal in the usual position.

Bifocal Sunglasses for Cycling

Cycling presents almost the opposite positioning problem.

A cyclist may need near or intermediate vision to see:

• Bike computer
• GPS
• Phone
• Navigation
• Other cockpit information

But riding position changes where the cyclist is looking through the lens.

Traditional bifocal placement can sometimes put the near segment directly into an area the rider wants to use for seeing the road.

SportEyes' Press-On Bifocals allow the reader segment to be repositioned based on the rider's needs.

For cyclists, where the reader sits can be just as important as its power.

Stick-On Readers for Sunglasses & Sports Glasses

You don't necessarily need to buy a new pair of bifocal sunglasses.

SportEyes carries StickTite Stick-On Reader Lenses, which can turn many existing glasses or sunglasses into bifocal readers.

Current StickTite information describes the flexible reader as suitable for many sunglasses, safety glasses, cycling glasses and other eyewear, including curved lenses.

This can be especially useful if you already own sports sunglasses that:

• Fit well
• Stay securely in place
• Have the lens color you want
• Work with your helmet
• Provide the coverage you need

Instead of replacing the entire pair, you may be able to add near magnification.

Removable Press-On Bifocals

SportEyes also carries Press-On Bifocals, which provide another way to add near power to existing eyewear.

These are particularly interesting for sports because you can customize the location of the reading segment.

Instead of accepting the standard position chosen for an everyday bifocal, you can position the reader where it makes sense for your activity.

That can be useful for:

• Golf
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Shooting
• Work
• Boating
• Other activities requiring occasional near vision

They can also be removed and repositioned.

Ready-Made Readers vs. Custom Prescription Bifocals

These are two very different products.

Ready-Made Readers

Ready-made readers typically use the same magnification power in both eyes.

They're convenient and economical for people who simply need near magnification and don't require individualized correction.

Custom Prescription Bifocals

A custom prescription can correct more than reading power.

Depending on the frame and lens design, a custom prescription may address:

• Different prescriptions in each eye
• Distance correction
• Astigmatism
• Different near requirements
• Higher prescriptions
• Prism
• Other prescription requirements

If your everyday prescription contains sphere, cylinder, axis, prism, or substantially different powers between your eyes, don't assume a pair of off-the-shelf readers will replace your prescribed eyewear.

Bifocals vs. Progressive Lenses

Both provide more than one viewing distance, but they work differently.

Bifocal Lenses

A traditional bifocal has a defined near-vision area.

You generally know exactly where the reading portion begins.

That predictability can be useful for certain sports.

Progressive Lenses

Progressives transition from distance through intermediate to near vision without a visible bifocal line.

They're excellent for many everyday situations, but sports can present unique challenges because your head position and gaze may be very different from everyday walking and reading.

Golf and cycling are good examples.

The best lens isn't automatically the most sophisticated lens.

The best lens is the one that puts the vision you need where you need it for your activity.

Can I Get Custom Prescription Bifocal Sunglasses?

Yes, depending on the frame and prescription.

SportEyes can make many sunglasses with custom prescription lenses rather than limiting you to premade reader powers.

This may be the better option if you need:

• Distance correction
• Astigmatism correction
• Different powers in each eye
• A high prescription
• Prism
• A custom reading addition
• A particular bifocal configuration
• Progressive lenses

Prescription availability depends on the frame, lens curvature, prescription strength, and lens design.

If you have a complex prescription, send us the complete Rx before ordering.

What Reading Power Do I Need?

Ready-made reading glasses and bifocal reader sunglasses are commonly offered in plus powers such as +1.00, +1.50, +2.00 and +2.50.

But stronger isn't automatically better.

The appropriate power depends partly on how close the object is that you're trying to see.

Reading a book held relatively close and viewing a dashboard, bike computer, or other object farther away are not necessarily the same visual task.

If you already have an eyeglass prescription, your prescribed ADD power can provide useful information when selecting near correction.

If you're unsure what power you need—or you're experiencing a new or unexplained change in your vision—an eye-care professional can determine the appropriate correction.

Reader Sunglasses for High Prescriptions, Astigmatism & Prism

Having a reading ADD doesn't necessarily mean the rest of your prescription is simple.

You may also have:

• High sphere power
• High cylinder or astigmatism
• Prism
• Different prescriptions between your eyes
• Other complex prescription requirements

In these situations, ready-made bifocal readers may not provide the correction you need.

SportEyes specializes in difficult prescriptions, including high prescriptions and astigmatism.

If you have prism or another complex prescription, send us the complete prescription so we can determine which sunglass frames and multifocal options are realistic.

Foam-Sealed Bifocal Sunglasses

Near vision can also be combined with specialized eyewear features.

SportEyes' current sunglass-reader collection includes multiple 7eye by Panoptx styles with foam seals and prescription availability.

Foam-sealed sunglasses are particularly useful for people who want to reduce exposure to:

• Wind
• Dust
• Airflow
• Debris

They're popular for motorcycling, high-wind environments, and people who experience dry-eye discomfort outdoors.

The foam seal is intended to reduce airflow; it isn't a treatment or cure for dry eye.

Reader Sunglasses with Interchangeable Lenses

Some sports sunglasses offer interchangeable lenses, allowing you to change lenses as lighting conditions change.

SportEyes' current reader collection includes multiple interchangeable-lens designs.

Depending on the system, reader lenses may provide a convenient way to maintain near magnification while choosing eyewear designed for your activity.

Always verify which reader lens powers and replacement lenses are available for the particular model.

Which Reader Solution Is Right for Me?

A simple way to think about it:

Need inexpensive reading magnification outdoors?
Start with ready-made bifocal reader sunglasses.

Already own sunglasses you love?
Consider stick-on or press-on bifocals.

Need different correction in each eye or astigmatism correction?
Consider custom prescription bifocals.

Need distance, intermediate and near vision?
A custom progressive may be appropriate, depending on the activity.

Playing golf?
Pay particular attention to where the reading area falls when looking down at the ball.

Cycling?
Consider your riding position and where your bike computer or GPS sits.

Fishing?
Polarized bifocal readers can be particularly useful for combining glare reduction with near vision.

The important thing is not simply choosing a bifocal.

It's choosing a near-vision solution appropriate for how you actually use your eyes.

Why Buy Readers & Bifocal Sunglasses from SportEyes?

Anyone can sell a pair of +2.00 reading sunglasses.

The harder questions are:

"Where should the bifocal be positioned for golf?"

"I need to see my bike computer, but I don't want the reader interfering with the road."

"Can I get polarized bifocals for fishing?"

"I have astigmatism too—will premade readers work?"

"Can you make this sports sunglass in my actual bifocal prescription?"

"My prescription has prism. What are my options?"

That's where SportEyes is different.

We've specialized in sports and prescription eyewear since 1996. We look at what you're doing, what you need to see, your prescription, and the eyewear you're using before recommending a solution.

Sometimes that's a custom prescription lens.

Sometimes it's a ready-made bifocal sunglass.

And sometimes the smartest solution is simply adding a reader to the sports glasses you already own.

Frequently Asked Questions About Readers & Bifocal Sunglasses

What are bifocal sunglasses?

Bifocal reader sunglasses generally provide normal distance viewing through most of the lens with reading magnification in a smaller lower section.

Can I get polarized bifocal sunglasses?

Yes. SportEyes carries numerous polarized options in its current sunglass-reader collection.

What powers do sunglass readers come in?

SportEyes' current collection includes premade bifocal reader powers such as +1.00, +1.50, +2.00 and +2.50, depending on the product.

Are bifocal sunglasses good for fishing?

They can be particularly useful for fishing because you can maintain distance vision while gaining near magnification for knots, tackle, electronics, and other close tasks.

Polarization can also reduce reflected glare from the water.

Are bifocal sunglasses good for golf?

They can be, but bifocal position is important. A conventional near segment can interfere when looking down toward the ball. A strategically positioned stick-on or press-on reader may work better for some golfers.

Can I add readers to sunglasses I already own?

Yes. SportEyes carries stick-on and press-on reader lenses designed to add near magnification to compatible existing eyewear.

Can stick-on bifocals be used on curved sports sunglasses?

SportEyes' current StickTite product information says its flexible lenses can attach to glasses regardless of curvature. Compatibility should still be checked for the individual eyewear and lens surface.

Can I get bifocal sunglasses with my actual prescription?

Often, yes. Depending on the frame and prescription, SportEyes can offer custom prescription multifocal options rather than simple premade reader powers.

Can I get bifocal sunglasses if I have astigmatism?

A custom prescription bifocal may be able to correct your astigmatism. Premade reader sunglasses do not reproduce a full individualized prescription.

Can bifocal sunglasses include prism?

Potentially, depending on the complete prescription, lens design and frame. Prism can limit lens and frame choices, particularly at higher amounts, so send us your complete prescription before ordering.

Should I get bifocals or progressives for sports?

It depends on the sport and what viewing distances matter. Progressives are useful for multiple distances, while a defined bifocal or strategically positioned reader can sometimes be more practical for a specific sports task.

Suggested Blogs

Prescription Fishing Sunglasses & Bifocal Options