📅 10 Aug 2026
⏱ 6 min read
👁 Eye Dive Optical, Karnal
After 40, most people find that their arms are suddenly "too short" — they have to hold their phone further away to read it. This is presbyopia, and it is completely normal. The question is which type of lens to use to correct it.
The Three Main Types
Single Vision
- One focal distance
- Distance or near — not both
- Most affordable
- Any age, any prescription
- Works for most people under 40
Bifocal
- Two zones — distance + reading
- Visible line between zones
- Mid-range price
- Abrupt jump between zones
- Less popular than progressive
Progressive
- All distances in one lens
- No visible line
- Premium price
- Short adjustment period
- Most natural vision experience
Who Needs Single Vision Lenses?
Most people under 40 need single vision lenses. Your prescription will have only a SPH (and possibly CYL) value — no ADD power. You get one pair for distance (driving, TV, walking) and that is usually all you need.
Some people also get a separate pair of single vision reading glasses — affordable and effective if you only need help for near tasks.
Who Needs Progressive Lenses?
If your prescription includes an ADD power (usually +1.00 to +3.00), you need help at multiple distances. Progressive lenses are the modern solution — they transition smoothly from distance at the top to reading at the bottom, with intermediate vision (computer distance) in the middle.
- No line — nobody knows you are wearing reading lenses
- Natural vision — your eye moves naturally to the right zone
- One pair replaces two — no switching between glasses
- Better for active lifestyles — no sudden zone jump
The Adjustment Period
First-time progressive wearers need 1–2 weeks to adjust. Common experiences during this time:
- Peripheral distortion (the sides look slightly wavy) — this fades
- Needing to move your head rather than just your eyes to find the focus zone
- Feeling slightly unsteady on stairs
All of these are normal and temporary. The vast majority of people adapt fully and would never go back to bifocals.
Our recommendation: If you have an ADD power and can budget for progressive lenses, they are almost always worth it. The convenience of clear vision at all distances — without switching pairs or having a visible line — is something most patients say they wish they had done years earlier.
Lens Coatings That Make a Difference
- Anti-reflective (AR) — eliminates reflections, especially important for night driving and screen use. We recommend this for everyone.
- Blue-cut — filters blue light from screens. Beneficial if you spend 4+ hours a day on devices.
- Photochromic — darkens in sunlight, clears indoors. Replaces the need for prescription sunglasses.
- Polarized — for prescription sunglasses. Eliminates glare from water, roads and glass surfaces.