Eyeglass Lenses
Your prescription will determine whether you need single vision, bifocal, or progressive lenses. Most people who wear glasses will start off with single vision lenses, which correct for one distance only, and will begin to wear bifocals or progressives in their 40s or 50s when they start to develop presbyopia and need correction for reading.
Here are a few things to know about lenses:
- There are varying degrees of lens compression, which are referred to as indexes. A higher index lens will be thinner than a lower index lens of the same prescription. The level of index that you want or need will be primarily related to the strength of your prescription. If you need a high degree of correction, you may need a higher index lens in order for the lens to fit neatly into a frame.
- Lenses are available in different materials and with a variety of coatings. You may consider options such as tints, UV protection, impact resistance, scratch resistance, etc.
- You may be given the option of choosing traditional or digital lenses. This relates to the way the lens surfacing is done. The recommended option may vary depending on your prescription.
- Specialty lenses and/or frames may be desirable if, for example, you work in an industrial setting and need safety glasses; or if you are sensitive to digital viewing and need an anti-reflective coating on your lenses or eyewear specifically designed for blue light.