The Plus One Vision (POV) - Near Vision Score™
When you take the Plus One Vision reading test, we don't just guess your reading glasses strength. We calculate it using the POV Near Vision Score™ — a proprietary method that measures the gap between what your eyes can do now and what you want them to do, and translates that gap into a precise lens strength. It takes about 60 seconds and works on any device.
Not sure which reading glasses you need?
Take the free reading test and get your recommended strength in about a minute.
Take the test →What the POV Near Vision Score™ Measures
The POV Near Vision Score™ is built from a short two-part reading test. Each part captures something different, and the relationship between them is where the calculation happens.
- Your current near vision In the first part of the test, you find the smallest text you can read comfortably right now, without glasses. This establishes your baseline.
- Your target near vision In the second part, you find the smallest text you'd like to be able to read comfortably. This is your goal.
- The gap between them The difference between where you are and where you want to be is the heart of the POV Near Vision Score™. A small gap means you need only a little help. A larger gap means you need more.
- Conservative calibration The score is deliberately tuned toward the lighter, safer recommendation. Reading glasses that are slightly too weak are far more comfortable than glasses that are too strong, so the POV Near Vision Score™ leans toward the gentler option and offers a stronger alternative for those who want it.
- Real-world strengths The final result is mapped to the actual reading glasses strengths sold in stores, from +0.75 to +4.00 in standard steps, so your recommendation is something you can actually buy.
Why It's Different
Most people choose reading glasses by trial and error — trying pair after pair off a drugstore rack, or guessing from a printed chart held at an arbitrary distance. Those methods ignore the one thing that actually matters: the gap between your current vision and the vision you want. The POV Near Vision Score™ measures that gap directly, on your own screen, at your own natural reading distance. That's what makes the recommendation personal rather than generic.
What the POV Near Vision Score™ Is Not
The POV Near Vision Score™ is a self-guided measurement, not an eye exam. It does not diagnose any condition, measure eye health, or replace a professional examination by an optometrist or eye care provider. It is designed for one specific purpose: helping you find the right strength of over-the-counter reading glasses with more confidence than guessing.
If you wear prescription glasses for distance, have an eye condition, or notice changes in your vision, see an eye care professional.
How We Use It
You never see the POV Near Vision Score™ as a raw number — you see its result: a clear, specific reading glasses strength, with a lighter and a stronger option on either side. The score does the work behind the scenes so your recommendation is simple and actionable.
Not sure which reading glasses you need?
Take the free reading test and get your recommended strength in about a minute.
Take the test →Plus One Vision is a self-guided tool. It does not provide medical or optometric advice, diagnose conditions, or replace a professional eye exam. Always consult a qualified eye care professional for concerns about your vision.