I have been contemplating my options in the last few months about what to do with my eyewear. Working in the industry, I am aware of all of the options for people who are 40+ in age and need a reading correction because their eyes are getting less flexible from distance to near vision.  So you may have always worn glasses, or you may never have worn them, but if you are starting to have trouble seeing small print, you may be interested to know all of your options. So let's explore the possibilities together!

When we find small print needs to be held further away in order to focus, but then is too small to see it, one great option is anti-fatigue lenses. These types of eyeglasses give a similar experience to single vision glasses, however at the bottom of the lens you can see small print better as it has a slight magnification. I have tried these and love them. They give up to +0.88 Add (ie: reading) power, but I never notice using it. It's like I just have my eyes from five years ago when wearing my glasses!  

Another go-to solution is a digital progressive lens. This you may need if your Add power in your prescription is nearing +1.25 or more. A digital progressive lens allows you to put your glasses on in the morning and be able to see both far and near regardless of your optical prescription. The technology in these lenses is amazing compared to their predecessors, and with any prescription the viewing fields can be maximized according to your most important usage for your glasses. For instance if you are a long distance driver, the progressive can be personalized to give you maximum distance width with driving comfort for hours at a time. If you are an office worker, you can maximize your near vision fields. The progressive is the best solution available for those who need a prescription for reading, intermediate and distance vision in one pair of glasses.

For those who have never worn glasses, a good option can be a pair of prescription readers.  You only need them for the tiny print, so keep them handy and you are set!

For those who have always worn glasses for distance, and for whom progressives are not an option, multiple pairs are your best bet, and what a problem to have!  With so many gorgeous frames to choose from, you can enjoy switching back and forth to have the best vision for the task-at-hand. Some people enjoy having a full set of glasses for reading and another set for their distance wear. Other folks who need help with their intermediate vision at the computer will choose a computer lens which takes care of reading and computer vision needs and sometimes can have a small portion of distance at the top of the lens. Then, a pure distance set of glasses can be chosen for outdoors - either with clear lenses, transition lenses (with or without a clip-on for full sun protection when behind a windshield) or polarized sun lenses. Then you have all your vision needs met with two pairs of glasses, or more depending on your needs.

And one more option that's still available today is a lined bifocal or even a lined trifocal.  A lined bifocal gives a reading correction at the very bottom of your distance lenses.  A lined trifocal has this reading correction with an additional skinny portion above it for intermediate vision tasks.  For some, this is the best option if they cannot wear a progressive and it is necessary to see multiple distances throughout the day.

If you wear contact lenses, you have a few more options.  Ask an optometrist at eye-bar to give you a solution which is best for your prescription and your vision needs at your next eye exam, or book a contact lens fitting.