You know that feeling when you’re out, looking for your sunnies, or reading glasses – but they aren’t there?

The need to carry two pairs of glasses happens to many people – and it’s incredibly frustrating if you have left one at home.

But there is a solution!

If you have

• myopia (nearsightedness),
• hyperopia (farsightedness), and/or
• astigmatism,

your optometrist has probably prescribed single-vision lenses for you.

But quite often when you get to your early 40’s your single prescription lens doesn’t deliver the vision you need. You find yourself struggling to see objects that are close to you, having to extend your arm to read a book or a message on your phone.

This condition is known as presbyopia, and it’s easy to solve with multifocal glasses that include all your prescriptions in one lens. So you can see clearly when looking up close, but also at a distance.

Bifocals, which have been around for a while, have a hard line between the different parts of the lens prescription areas. The separation causes an image jump as you change your field of vision.

Progressive lenses are a big improvement on bifocals. They have a smooth transition between the lens prescription areas and also help you see clearly in the middle distance — something bifocals didn’t do very well.

Progressive lenses provide clear vision at all distances, eliminating the need to constantly switch between separate pairs of reading and distance glasses.

No.

Although they are commonly prescribed for adults over 40, they are also prescribed for children, teens, and young adults who have difficulties seeing at different distances or have specific vision issues requiring multifocal lenses.

Progressive contact lenses are available.

Other alternatives include monovision lenses where one eye has a prescription for close vision and the other eye for distant vision.

Wearing progressive contact lenses allows you to alternate between multiple activities, for instance you can look at the GPS on your phone while you are stopped and then read road signs while you drive.

Your optometrist can best guide you on options that will suit you.

It’s easy to confuse the two types of lenses, they both offer convenience, but their core functions are different.

Transition lenses combine eyeglasses and sunglasses.

They have light-sensitive – or photochromatic – lenses which change from clear to tinted when exposed to sunlight. When you’re indoors, the lenses will be clear; when you step outside, the lenses will automatically become tinted to protect your eyes from the sun.

Transitions lenses replace the need to switch between glasses and sunglasses with a single pair of glasses.

Transition lenses automatically adjust their tint in response to UV light, darkening in bright sunlight and returning to clear when indoors or in low-light conditions.

Polarised lenses are designed to reduce glare by filtering out horizontal light waves that reflect off surfaces like water, roads, or snow.

• Age
Single-vision lenses are good if you are under 40 and have no issues other than nearsightedness or farsightedness. Those with additional age-related vision changes may benefit from progressives.

• Lifestyle
Single-vision glasses are a practical choice if you only need glasses for one specific task, like driving or reading. Progressives are beneficial if you switch between pairs of glasses frequently.

• Budget
Progressive lenses are more expensive, however, investing in one pair of progressive glasses may be cheaper than buying several pairs of single-vision glasses.

• Recommendation from your Optometrist
Single-vision and progressive lenses have several advantages and disadvantages.

If you are still unsure about your options, your optometrist can recommend the best eyewear for your needs. They will check the health of your eyes, update your prescription, and provide appropriate recommendations to optimise your vision.