Barb, when I was having trouble, my eye doctor suggested getting reading glasses rather than trying to use jeweler's glasses. It had something to do with the stress of trying to use the strength of the jeweler's glasses for long periods of time. He was right, and I found the reading glasses very helpful. I did not wear then all the time, just when I needed to magnify something. Having cataract surgery also made a huge difference. I still use the reading glasses once in a while, particularly when I am working on black. I went to Costco and got a set of three. I keep them at different places in my room.

Good lighting can make a big difference. I recently installed LED lights under the harp of my sewing machines. They are great. I know newer machines have these lights installed, but I am still sewing with older machines. I have different kinds of lamps all over my sewing room. One of my OTT lamps has a magnifying glass attached to it. It is very helpful, when I need it. I do find that I have to use it in small doses and look away frequently.

My pins are ball headed pins and easy to see. I use magnetic pin cushions. I have several. If you are still using the old seamstress pins, consider changing them out with ball headed pins. They come in different degrees of thickness as well as different colors.

Maybe, you have started a good thread and others will have good suggestions so that we can all continue to sew as our eyes get older.

You can also buy some magnifying glasses that clip onto your regular glasses.I use those at times when i cross stitch,Mag eyes are another option,both of these can be found on Amazon and other sites.

I wear contacts, which basically correct astigmatism and equalize the distance vision. Good enough for driving and walking around.

I use a variety of "readers" from the dollar store. The magnification varies depending on what I am doing. With the high magnification ones, I can do fine repair work and hemming. The "regular" ones are for computer work, ordinary sewing distance, etc.

As for the pins, I use a magnetic strip to pick them up from the floor.

I have a pair of readers that are generally called "clicks" because they have magnets in the inside curves of the lens frames that bring the lenses together with an audible "click" sound when the lenses get near each other. They are WONDERFUL and I am never without them. Even riding a scooter down the road at 40 mph, they still do not fly off my neck. (I do not wear them when driving. They are merely hanging around my neck. But even 40 mph is a significant blast.) You can get them in a variety of strengths/magnifications, and they are usually available at outdoor/hunting/boating supply shops. Here in Savannah, I get them at Bass Pro Shops and West Marine, though I am sure any outdoor shop would have them. They are generally not available at pharmacies, but I would bet a week's pay the pharmacists would know where to send you to get them, because they are probably asked for them frequently.