I've been reduced to using a pair of 1.50 power reading glasses in conjunction with a 10 power jewelers loop. Or when in my shop area my magnifying hood. It will go up to 18 power.
When I use a needle just a bit, but not enough to wear it out, I mark the shank with a black Sharpie pen and put it back in the properly labeled package so I know what it is without having to look.
As for the needles in my machines they are either size 14 or 16. That's all I normally use.
Joe