Types of Prescription Glasses
Prescription lenses are the heart of what makes a pair of glasses provide the sharp, clear vision you want to have. There are several types of prescription eyeglasses to address your visual needs, whether you are nearsighted, farsighted or need multiple prescriptions in one lens:
Single Vision – Single vision prescription lenses are used to correct a single vision problem such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism. They contain the same amount of vision correction throughout the entire lens. In terms of single vision reading glasses, full frame readers are the most common. You’ll also find single vision lenses in half frame reading glasses which are narrower and sit at the end of your nose for easier up-close and distance viewing.
Multifocal Lenses – People who have more than one vision problem often need eyeglasses with multifocal lenses. Multifocal lenses, such as bifocals and progressive lenses, contain two or more vision-correcting prescriptions.
Bifocal – Bifocals contain two prescriptions within the same lens. The eyeglass lens is split into two sections; the upper part is for distance vision and the lower part for near vision. When you’re looking at someone who is wearing bifocals, you can often see the line between their nearsighted and farsighted prescription.
Progressive – Progressives are multifocal lenses that contain three main fields of vision including near, intermediate and distance. However, progressives do not have a visible line between prescriptions. This gives the wearer a seamless and uninterrupted transition when looking from up-close objects to far-away distance.
Computer Glasses – The lenses of computer glasses are designed to deal with eyestrain caused by computer screens. Computer glasses help with an intermediate distance of around 20 to 26 inches, which is the distance most people sit from their monitor. Many computer glasses have tinted lenses to block out blue light radiating from your electronic devices.
Reading – Even if you don’t have an eyeglass prescription from your eye doctor, you may find yourself needing reading glasses. A valid prescription is not required to purchase reading glasses, though your eye doctor can tell you the magnification you need.
