Typically your optometrist or optician can help you make the right decision when selecting a lens that will work for you, but if you’re curious like us, here is a quick guide on how to pick the right lens for your needs.
Lens Options
Lenses come in a variety of options. In this write up we will go through some of the most common types of lenses. These include single vision, bifocal or trifocal, and progressives.
Single Vision
Single vision is the most common type of lens and it is used to correct near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and/or astigmatism. Other terms used for single vision are a “standard lens” or a “basic lens.”
You would want to pick this lens when you only need correction set for one distance.
Bifocal or Trifocal
Bifocals or trifocals are selected when we want more than one viewing distance in the same lens. Typically the top of the lens is distance and the bottom is used for near (like reading a book).
Keep in mind that the separation between the distance and near vision is visible to both the wearer and people looking at them. There is a horizontal line separating the two different viewing zones. If you don’t want a visible line in your lens, you may want to choose a therapeutic or progressive lens.
Progressive
Progressive lenses are highly customizable option for the individual who want a seamless integration of distance, intermediate, and near vision correction. This is the best option for someone who wants to carry one pair of glasses for everyday use without the obvious horizontal line(s) that are visible with bifocals/trifocals.
There are many (thousands) of different designs when it comes to progressives, so it is important to keep an open mind when it comes to trying these lenses. Adaptation with newer more advanced designs is faster than with older progressives. Let your eye care provider know what your visual needs are, so they can help select the right type of progressive for you.
Watch the video
If you’ve had a long day at work and want to give your eyes a rest, have a listen to Dr. Allen at the Doctor Eye Health show on YouTube. Dr. Allen goes through lens options and lens materials. These two are important factors when it comes to the final lens package you end up choosing to pair with your fabulous frames.
Into the weeds
Premium vs Basic Lenses with Dr. Natasha Liaw
We’ve just scratched the surface when it comes to lens selection–no pun intended. Let Dr. Natasha Liaw from Wink Optometry in Burnaby give her opinion when it comes to choosing between Premium or Basic Lenses.
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Progressive lenses in depth analysis
All progressives are not created equal. There are a lot of things to take into consideration. You must consider the application and the measurements must be precise. Dr. Natasha Liaw goes into detail about what progressives are and why you would choose them.
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