Lenses
Step 2
Lens choice
Distance
Reading
Varifocal
Intermediate
Sport
Industrial
Sun glasses
Lens thickness
Lens finishes
Reading
You might be feeling a bit glum looking at this section – especially if you have to zoom in to read this. Most people will need reading glasses at some point in their life – usually over 40. This condition is called Presbyopia (not getting old).
There are various types of lenses to help you read again. They are:
Reading Glasses:
Single vision reading glasses are an easy type of lens to dispense. Work out the thickness of the lens, choose a frame with the correct width - preferably with rounder corners, colour and choose the amount of thinning required. Easy.
This may not be ideal if you use distance glasses as well. You would have to carry two glasses wherever you go.
Varifocals:
Click the image below to go the the Varifocal page.
Bifocals:
Bifocals are lenses with two powers in them. Traditionally the powers would be for distance and near, but you could have an intermediate power instead of the distance or near.
The reading prescription is grinded into the surface of the distance lens and this produces a visual split between the two powers. These splits can be across the lens (Franklin Split), a D segment, C segment or a round segment (the most discreet type of bifocal) Bifocal lenses can be grinded into the back of lens to produce a more discreet look, but the shape of the segment can be seen. You may have to choose deeper frames. This extra space is needed to fit the reading segment.
Office (Occupational) Lens:
Office lenses divide the lenses into two sections. The reading portion is at the bottom and the intermediate portion is at the top. There is no obvious split. This is ideal for someone who needs help with near vision for paperwork, but needs assistance to look at the computer screen as well.