Lenses - Lens Materials - Lens Types - Treatments and Coatings

Multifocals

Progressive or Graduated

Many people, especially people over 40 years old, require different strength lenses for close work and long distances. For these people multifocals are the most popular solution to avoid having to continually put glasses on and off, or even worse swapping from one pair to another.

Multifocal lenses work by having the correction required for distance at the top of the lens, and the correction required for close work at the bottom, with a gradual change from one focus to the other through the middle. In this way one pair of glasses can be used for everything, including computer and desk work.

Because of the gradual change in prescription, multifocal lenses create a ‘swimming’ effect on the sides of the lens, especially to the side of the reading area. For many people this is hardly noticeable. Other people may find it takes a couple of weeks to get used to.

There is a big difference in the quality of the different multifocals available. The better lenses have much less swimminess on the sides, and so take a lot less time to get used to and have a much wider range of clear, natural vision. The best quality multifocals feel like they are almost distortion free. Our preferred multifocal is the ‘FD’ lens for this reason – if you’ve tried multifocals before and couldn’t cope with the narrow area of clear vision in an older style lens ask us about how this lens would help you.