If you already wear multifocal glasses, you likely already understand the basics of what they entail. It seems the obvious facet would be that your multifocal glasses allow you to see more than one focal point throughout the lenses. However, what does this really mean? How does it work? What are the differences in types of multifocal eyeglasses? This guide will help you better understand your prescription needs, and the details that go into creating, and using your eye glasses.

When creating simple single vision lenses, such as what is needed for just distance or just reading needs, the explanation is quite incomplex depending on the exact prescription details. [Of course other attributes can make the production a bit more complicated, such as when one suffers from astigmatism, requires a prism, or other more intricate prescription details.] However, it is not until one requires a multifocal lens that the process gets a bit tricky. There are a few different types of dual vision eyeglasses; the two major options available are bifocal lenses, or the more modern, and ultimately more promoted: progressive lenses.

Bifocal glasses are the original answer to those who must succumb to both reading and distance vision corrections. Bifocal lenses take two different pieces of glasses - or rather plastic, as prescription eyeglasses are rarely made out of glass anymore - to make up the lens. The distance vision is located in the upper part of the lens, while the reading portion is towards the bottom. There are two main types of bifocals: the more modern style is one in which the smaller reading lens is inserted into a larger distance piece.

Progressive lenses are a bit more complicated, in which both vision needs are created through tunnels - all throughout one single lens. Due to the way in which the glasses are made - in order to accommodate both focal points in one lens - progressive lenses actually offer three fields of vision: distance, intermediate (often referred to as computer vision), and reading sections. Like the bifocals, progressives also place the distance reading on top, and it slowly transitions into your near vision needs. Switching over from single vision or even bifocal lenses to progressives can be quite a challenge for most. The sides of the lenses are a bit blurry (which is perfectly normal), as this tunneling allows the passageway for the gradual change in focus.

It is important to understand, or at least try and get a grasp of, the production of prescription eye glasses- especially when you are a slave to their daily use! While there are several different types of prescription necessities, as well as eyeglasses production techniques, hopefully this guide has helped iron out just some of the basic details between the differences, needs, and importance of progressive versus bifocal glasses. Now, you can sleep easy knowing that youll be prepared next time you need to get new multifocal glasses!