Multifocal glasses – why do I need them? Doctor-medic Bánjai informs

Progressive vision glasses enable stepless vision at different distances. The special feature of progressive lenses is that only one pair of glasses is needed to see at close range, in the intermediate range and to see at a distance. Glasses that are suitable, so to speak, for reading, working at medium distances and views into the distance.

The progressive lenses thus correct nearsightedness or farsightedness and presbyopia, allowing you to see clearly into old age. You can find out exactly how this works, what advantages and disadvantages there are with progressive lenses and what to look out for when buying them here in our blog post.

What is progressive spectacles?

A progressive lens helps you to see clearly at all distances. A pair of glasses with a progressive lens not only has one power of vision, but is also divided into different areas of vision. This is also the biggest difference from reading or distance glasses.

The upper area covers the long-distance area. In the middle area, the intermediate area, objects such as the dashboard in the car are sharply imaged. In the lower area, all objects of near vision are sharply imaged. However, there is also an edge area that initially appears blurry. However, this usually settles after an acclimatization phase.

Progressive vision glasses are also referred to as multifocal glasses and are mainly used as a visual aid for presbyopia (presbyopia). Presbyopia manifests itself by the fact that the eye lens can no longer adjust so well to the close range.

As a result, you lose the ability to see equally clearly in all areas. A pair of progressive glasses is a real all-rounder and compensates for all your vision deficits.

Progressive glasses – the advantages

The purchase of progressive spectacles has a number of advantages:

• A pair of progressive spectacles replaces several spectacles (near and far vision) thanks to different vision zones.
• They are more aesthetic than bifocal glasses, because the different areas of vision are unobtrusively incorporated into the lens.
• It allows several refractive errors to be corrected at the same time.
• A smooth transition between the different fields of view is made possible.
• Sharp and clear vision even in the intermediate distances, for example as work glasses on a PC
• The progressive lenses are now also available in very high prescriptions (up to +/- 10 diopters).

Progressive glasses – the disadvantages

However, progressive spectacles also have a few disadvantages:

• Dizziness and headaches in the settling-in phase (a few days to weeks) are possible.
• Changed visual behaviour, as the head has to follow the eye movements. Pure eye movements to the left or right lead to the blurred areas at the edges of the progressive spectacles.
• Compared to single vision lenses, progressive lenses result in higher costs due to the complex manufacturing process.

When do I need progressive glasses?

Progressive glasses are particularly recommended for presbyopia. If you have to switch back and forth between different vision distances, or have to constantly put on and take off your reading glasses, progressive lenses are an ideal solution.

If you suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness and corneal curvature in combination with presbyopia, you need glasses for distance and near vision. A pair of progressive lenses covers these different areas of vision.

However, since the field of vision at the edge of the glasses can be blurred, you should plan for a certain acclimatization phase. Nevertheless, varifocal glasses are not recommended for technical draughtsmen or tilers, as odd lines can occur.

Pilots also need special “inverted” progressive lenses, as the fittings are at the top and they have to work overhead.

Types of progressive spectacles

When it comes to choosing the right glasses, there are different areas of application to consider, progressive lenses and models for women and men. Since progressive spectacles combine several refractive power levels, they also compensate for different visual impairments at the same time.

Unlike varifocal glasses, single vision glasses can only compensate for a certain distance. Single vision lenses are also much cheaper than progressive lenses. Progressive lenses are available in different qualities, usable areas and with different coatings.

Difference between progressive and reading glasses

Reading glasses are needed at close range when you can no longer see clearly in the vicinity. A pair of progressive lenses covers different intermediate distances, i.e. the reading glasses are already integrated into a pair of progressive lenses. So it comes into question if you also wear glasses in the distance in everyday life and also become presbyopian.

Progressive Sunglasses

Progressive sunglasses are a must in summer. After all, you want to see clearly, even in the sunshine. The advantages are obvious: Forget about annoying eyeglass changes and enjoy UV protection for your eyes with full vision in all areas.

Multifocal goggles for sports – sports goggles

Finding progressive spectacles for sporting activities was rather difficult until a few years ago. The problem here was suitable mounts for progressive lenses.

However, a new type of manufacturing form for optical lenses has made it possible for some time to produce lenses that also fit strongly curved sports glasses. So nothing stands in the way of the excursion by bike, on the via ferrata or while hiking. Many athletes opt for eye lasers.

VDU Workstation Glasses

In recent years, working time in front of the screen has increased more and more. For some years now, the focus has been on computer workstation glasses. They are adapted visual aids for working on a PC and often provide relief from headaches, redness or dry eyes.

The screen workplace glasses are optimized for the distance at which the respective screen is standing and partly cover additional distances as varifocal glasses. Blue light filter glasses are also being used more and more often.

Since the screen distance of varifocal glasses can only be seen clearly through the intermediate area, they are unsuitable for long work on the screen. On the one hand, because the intermediate area is relatively narrow, and on the other hand, the head has to be slightly raised.

This often leads to neck and headaches. Therefore, a computer workstation glasses in addition to the varifocal glasses is useful and recommended.

Bifocal and trifocal glasses

In addition to varifocal glasses, there are also bifocal and trifocal glasses. Bifocal glasses combine two different lens thicknesses. In the upper part is the spectacle lens, which corrects myopia or farsightedness. The lower lens compensates for presbyopia, so it includes integrated reading glasses.

Trifocal glasses are reading glasses that still have a third section of lens. This allows you to see clearly at medium distances. So you can perceive 3 different areas of view. Stepless vision is not possible here.

Cost of a pair of progressive spectacles

If you are interested in progressive spectacles, you should visit your optician. This ensures that your new glasses offer you maximum visual comfort. Progressive lenses are cost-intensive to manufacture. In addition, there is the individual adaptation to your wishes.

A pair of glasses with progressive lenses can quickly cost €1,200. However, experience of spectacle wearers shows that you should not save at this point.

Both a high-quality lens with a super anti-reflective coating and individual adjustment ensure that the acclimatization time is shortened and you like to wear your glasses. Online retailers now also offer varifocal glasses, but they cannot replace the on-site service of an optician.

What should you pay attention to when buying progressive spectacles?

When buying the right progressive spectacles, you should also pay attention to a few other things. First of all, your visual comfort comes first. Cheap progressive lenses often cause problems here.

The right progressive spectacles need a spectacle frame that is large enough to accommodate progressive lenses. The individual areas of vision, including those at the edge of the glasses, must have enough space.

Before you buy a new pair of progressive spectacles, be sure to take an eye test first. Your optician is the right place to go and will also help you choose and try on the spectacle frame.

There is a large selection of models and brands of progressive spectacles online – also at low prices. The disadvantage: you do not have a direct contact person and your glasses are not individually adapted to you.

Problems with varifocal glasses – tips for symptom-free wearing

Glasses become a part of our face over time. However, it takes a while for it to become really comfortable. The acclimatization period for a new pair of progressive spectacles can sometimes take six weeks. However, there are also a few tricks that make it easier for every spectacle wearer to get used to:

• During the acclimatization phase, wear the glasses as much as possible on a daily basis and also for a long time during different activities.
• When reading, look through the lower part of the glasses and do not lower your head too much.
• When climbing stairs, lower your head to look through the middle part of the glasses . It is ground to about two metres for the visual range.
• When driving, look through the upper part of the glasses. It is designed for distance vision.
• Cheap progressive lenses often have a blurred side area. Premium spectacle lenses, on the other hand, have this problem less often, as the quality of the lenses and thus also the visual range is higher.
• If you have a headache or dizziness, take the glasses off for about 20 minutes and then put them back on. Vary your head posture. How to find out how to see best.
• Contact your optician if your vision is blurry straight ahead and the side edges are warped. The centering of your glasses may then not be correct. Your optician can help you here.

Alternatives to progressive spectacles

Progressive glasses are not the only way to deal with presbyopia. A new pair of glasses often brings relief, but must also be worn permanently. If you want to see clearly again without glasses in the long term, there are other alternatives to progressive spectacles.

Laser treatment for long-sightedness

Laser eye treatment is the only permanent method to restore the original vision of your eyes. With the simple procedure, the refractive power of the cornea can be changed so that all distances can be covered again. This way you can see clearly again near and far with your naked eye.

Multifocal lenses – spectacle-free vision with artificial lenses

Alternatively, a multifocal lens surgery can also help to obtain a sliding view with inserted artificial lenses.

In cataract surgery, a monofocal lens (an artificial single-vision lens) is often used instead of the body’s own clouded lens. This ensures sharp vision in the distance. However, it cannot correct additional presbyopia and patients still need at least reading glasses even after surgery.

An alternative to this is multifocal lenses. These are also artificial lenses, but they provide a sharp image at different distances. Similar to varifocal glasses, they have different areas of vision and thus permanently replace your glasses.

Conclusion on progressive spectacles

To correct a defective vision of the eyes in several areas of vision and to enable stepless vision, high-quality progressive vision glasses are a great relief. It is the first step towards sharp vision and helps to restore joie de vivre and full participation in everyday life.

It is advisable to pay attention to the quality of the glasses and to rely on the right advice. A good pair of progressive spectacles must fit well and require individually adapted lenses.

A pair of progressive spectacles is not a cure to restore your original vision, but only a temporary correction. Laser eye surgery by means of a simple procedure allows you to see sharply at all distances.

In our laser eye centre in Stuttgart and laser eye centre in Karlsruhe, we will work with you to check whether a gentle, permanent procedure is suitable for you.