Progressive and bifocal lenses are two types of multifocal lenses that can be used to correct presbyopia. Presbyopia is an age-related vision issue that causes the eyes to lose their near focusing ability. This can make it harder to see the text on your phone, read a book or menu, or even thread a needle.
Most people start developing symptoms of presbyopia in their 40s. In addition to causing blurred vision at close range, the condition can cause headaches, vision distortion, and eye strain.
If you already wear glasses for nearsightedness (myopia), you currently use single-vision lenses to correct your distance vision. When you develop presbyopia, you’ll need lenses that correct your near vision too. This is where multifocal lenses like bifocals and progressives are most helpful, because they correct vision at multiple distances.
So, how do you decide which lenses will be better for you? It’s probably gone around and around in your head: Bifocal vs. progressive. Progressive vs. bifocal. But before you can narrow things down, it helps to understand the difference between bifocal and progressive lenses.
Bifocal glasses have lenses with two optical powers in each lens:
To put it simply, a bifocal lens has two prescriptions separated by a visible horizontal line.
If you want to see a distant object clearly, you need to look through the top of the lens for distance vision correction. If, however, you want to see an object within an 18-inch distance clearly, you should look down and through the lower lens portion that corrects near vision.
The lower part of your bifocal lens comes in various shapes and designs, such as:
Bifocals offer several advantages for wearers, including:
There are also some disadvantages to wearing bifocals, such as:
Glasses with progressive lenses provide three areas of vision correction, helping you see objects clearly at multiple distances:
Progressives don't have a visible line that separates the optical powers. Instead, they offer a smooth transition between powers.
Your eye doctor may recommend progressive lenses when you develop presbyopia if you're also nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism.
There are several different types of progressive lenses, including:
Progressives offer numerous benefits to wearers. They:
While progressive lenses are a popular choice with many benefits, they also have some disadvantages:
While progressives and bifocals are both types of multifocal lenses that can be used to correct presbyopia, they are different.
There are several features that set the two lens types apart:
Focusing zones
Distances corrected
Appearance
Adjustment period
The best way to decide between progressives and bifocals is to talk to your eye doctor. They’ll help you weigh the pros and cons of each, and discuss why one may be better for you than the other.
Here are some specific factors to consider:
If you think you may have presbyopia and may need a new prescription for your glasses, schedule a visit with your eye doctor.