Guide to Prescription Lenses

Whether you’re getting your first pair of glasses or just getting a new prescription, there’s a lot to consider when buying a new pair. There’s a lot of focus on finding the right frames, but just as important – and perhaps more important – is getting the right type of lenses for your needs. The lenses in your glasses have a big impact on how you’ll use them throughout the day, so it’s vital you get lenses that work well with your needs. Some things to think about include the type of work you do, how often you plan to use your glasses, and of course your individual needs when it comes to the lenses themselves.

Single Vision Lenses

The most common of all lens types, single vision lenses feature just one prescription power throughout the entire lens and are typically best suited for those who are either nearsighted or farsighted. Single vision lenses can most often be found in your standard pair of reading glasses and can be a good option if you only need your glasses for certain tasks.

Single vision lenses include over-the-counter readers, which come in a variety of strengths, allowing you to choose the option that works best for your individual needs. However, many people will need prescription single vision lenses, especially if their vision is different between each eye.

Bifocals

Don’t worry about it if your optometrist says you need bifocals. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting old. It just means that you need reading glasses in addition to glasses to help you with your distance vision. Bifocals have two viewing areas that are separated by a visible line, with the smaller portion at the bottom being the viewing area dedicated to helping you read or do any other up-close viewing that may be necessary.

Those who are new to bifocals will typically find it takes some time to adjust to using them, as your eyes now have to move between the two viewing areas to see properly. For some people, the “jump” that occurs as you move between the two viewing areas can be a bit of a nuisance. However, wearing your bifocals as much as possible can help you get used to using them.

Progressive Lenses

Those who aren’t particularly fond of the jump that occurs with bifocals may find that progressives are a great alternative, especially if they need an additional viewing area in their lenses to help them see the space at an intermediate distance. Progressive lenses also have different areas for distance and reading in addition to this intermediate viewing area. However, there is no line in progressive lenses, which means it can be a little less obtrusive for individuals wearing these glasses to move their eyes between the different areas of the glasses.

Most progressive lenses have a larger space for distance vision at the top, with the smaller area for reading at the bottom and the intermediate distance lying between the two. When using these types of lenses, people will find they have to move their heads in addition to moving their eyes to see properly. This does take some getting used to, and it’s typically recommended when getting a new pair of glasses with progressive lenses to start by only wearing them for a few hours a day, increasing the amount of time you wear them every day over the next couple of weeks until you become used to them.

In addition to the standard progressive lenses, an alternative known as workplace progressives is also available. The difference between these and standard progressive lenses is that they do not contain an area for distance vision, instead offering a large space for intermediate vision as well as a smaller viewing area for reading. These can be a good option if you need a pair of glasses for performing tasks like working at a computer or doing certain hobbies such as sewing, as they’ll allow you to easily move between viewing distances a few feet away and objects that are up close.

Those who still aren’t sure what prescription lenses are right for them may want to speak with their optician about how they plan to use their glasses and which option is right for their needs. Just as every individual’s eyes are different, every individual responds best to different types of lenses.