LENS OPTIONS Choose a topic from the menu below to learn more about premium lens options! Anti-Reflective Coating Thin Profile Lenses Photochromatic Lenses Single Vision Lenses What are they? Single vision lenses are just that; they help you with a single vision correction need. When most people develop a "refractive error," they need glasses to help them see faraway objects clearly. They've become nearsighted and single vision lenses compensate for this condition. Somewhat less common is farsightedness, where a prescription is usually needed to help a patient see objects up close. Here, again, single vision lenses can help you to see clearly. Finally, if your distance vision is good but you need help reading up close, single-vision reading glasses can help. Bifocal Lenses What are they? Bifocal lenses help us to see objects both faraway and close-up. Traditional bifocals achieve this with two vision zones. The top part of the lens provides the distance refractive correction. That allows us to clearly see faraway objects. The bottom segment provides the near refractive correction, called the "add" powers. This segment helps the aging eye, which around age 40 begins to lose some of its power to "accommodate" or to see objects up close, a condition called presbyopia. With conventional bifocals, the two segments, with two different "powers," are separated by a visible line. Sometimes the near segment is a small crescent shape inset into the larger distance lens. Do bifocals take getting used to? Bifocals represent a different way of seeing the world. That takes time, but most people can do it quite easily. A first-time wearer learns to look down at what they are reading. Trifocal Lenses Why would I need trifocals? You may not need them. Trifocals serve a special purpose for people with particular needs. They're made of three zones. The first is a distance zone, on top, for seeing far away. As with bifocals, there's a near zone, located on the bottom. With trifocals, there's a mid-range zone, for clearly seeing objects at mid range. Trifocal lenses are similar to bifocals, but provide a mid-range segment above the reading segment for arm's length or intermediate viewing. Progressive Addition Lenses What are they? And why are they called "progressives"? Progressive lenses (also called "no-line bifocals") offer a continuous, gradual change in prescription strength from the lower (reading correction) to the upper (distance correction) portion of the eyeglass lens, providing correction for all distances. Progressives lenses derive their name from the fact that they have progressively more "add" power from the top to the bottom of the lens. In a sense, progressives are bifocals or trifocals without the lines. Are progressives easier to get used to than bifocals? In many ways, yes. Progressive lens wearers have their own adaptation period, which can last a week or two. During this time, you learn to locate the areas of the lens needed for different viewing distances. Progressive lens wearers find that this becomes second nature. As newer progressives with high-tech designs are introduced and refined, this adaptation period grows shorter. Of course, adaptation differs for all individuals. What if I can't adapt? What makes the difference? Like so many things, expertise makes the difference. With so many brands of progressive lens designs, it takes a good eye care professional to know which one works best for you. If the first lens you try is not working out, tell your eye doctor right away. He or she can fit you in another design that works for you. What about the fit? A good fit is important to your success. Eye doctors say they often rely on the fitting skills of a well-trained optician to make sure that your new progressive lenses are properly positioned. An eye doctor or optician will also recognize and adjust for any irregularities in your face. Commonly, eyes are located at slightly different horizontal and vertical distances from the nose, and an optician can adjust accordingly to maximize the performance and comfort of your new progressive lenses. Will I know if my progressive lenses don't fit right? Yes! If the lenses are set too high on your face, your vision may be blurred as you gaze straight ahead or to the side. Also, you may experience double vision, "ghosting" or eyestrain that can lead to headaches. What should I do? If after an adaptation period of one to two weeks, you're not happy with your new lenses, let Dr. Seymour know about it. Success with progressives often requires several office visits, and your eye doctor will be happy to deal with any problem. Also, it pays to be straightforward. We only know about problems if you tell us about them!