They are sometimes called Bed Reading Glasses or even Periscope Glasses, but they are all, basically, glasses, or spectacles, designed specifically for reading when lying down.

They work by bending the field of view by around 90 degrees, probably a bit less, downwards, effectively allowing the wearer to see almost straight down to the ground when looking straight ahead.

This means that when lying down the user would see horizontally to the wall beyond his or her feet, while looking straight upwards toward the ceiling!

The benefits of this may not be immediately obvious, but it simply means that something beyond the wearers feet such as a TV or a PC Monitor or something a little nearer, such as a book, does not have to be directly in front of their face. So, no bending the head forward to see in a horizontal direction, and no need to be propped up with pillows either. No neck or back ache!

So who would need to wear these strange looking glasses?

The need for Bed Prism Glasses falls into three distinct categories:

1. Medical
2. Leisure
3. Commuting

Medical

Anyone confined to bed either short or long term due to a medical condition would benefit greatly from the use of Bed Prism Glasses. Being required to lay down for any length of time or simply not being able to sit up can be a miserable time on its own, but the added disadvantage of not being able to read a book or comfortably watch TV, only adds to the patient’s unhappiness.

But being able to read a book or watch TV while lying down would bring immense benefits. Reading their favourite books is great way to pass the time and would lift their spirits and make for a more content patient. The time confined to their bed would be a much happier one!

To enable the patient to watch TV in bed some quite ingenious devices have been devised. These usually involve heavy, expensive wall or floor mounted arms that position the TV over and toward to patient’s head.

But with Bed Reading Glasses all that would be needed is a lightweight TV wall mount or perhaps the even simpler solution of a just a cabinet to stand the TV on! A very easy and inexpensive solution indeed, particularly with these specs costing as little as $20.

Leisure

Making use of, what can be very scarce leisure time can be equally beneficial to the able-bodied too!

Just being able to read a book in comfort can bring great rewards in mental health and plain happiness.

Sitting in a chair reading a book may suit some people some of the time but lying on a blanket on the ground surrounded by grass and trees might be even better. Ever tried sitting under a tree? It’s not always particularly comfortable! But lie down on the grass and read while wearing a pair of these bed reading specs and you’ll suffer no such discomfort!

Imagine trying to sit comfortably on a sandy beach with no back support. How much better it would be to lie back with a cushion under your head and a book rested easily on your tummy or chest. No weight to hold aloft. No newspaper to keep flopping over your face. How annoying that can be! You just have to relax your grip and down it comes. Maddening!

But, by wearing a pair of Bed Prism Glasses lying on the beach, reading in complete comfort with a cold drink by your side, you could be in heaven! And you’d probably get a better tan too!

Commuting

Probably not quite so obvious a use for Bed Prism Glasses as the two above but anyone commuting on a train or plane might also find them of benefit too!

Holding up a book or Tablet PC such as an i-Pad or Kindle for any length of time be quite tiring in itself. So imagine having the Tablet or book horizontally on your lap or on a table if there is one. You can sit back in your seat, looking straight ahead with your head held comfortably against the head rest but at the same time being able to read your book or newspaper or watch a movie on your i-Pad. That would also allow you to use both hands to type on the tablet or perhaps to fill in the answers in your daily crossword puzzle.

Would this work? To be honest I'm not sure as I haven't had the opportunity to test it out on a train or plane yet. I'd be interested to hear from anyone brave enough to try it though!

The only downside I can see with this particular usage is that you could find yourself being constantly interrupted by your fellow commuters asking "Where did you get those crazy looking glasses from?" and "Could you get me a pair too?"

An inexpensive aid to comfort and happiness!

Bed Prism Glasses, or whatever you prefer to call them, are an inexpensive and simple solution to reading books, newspapers and magazines outdoors for pleasure or reading in bed because you have no choice - and possibly for fearless commuters too!

So who needs bed prism glasses?

Well, perhaps you do!