Bifocal or progressive lenses
After forty many people start holding the book further away. With one pair for distance and one for reading, you swap all day. As we wrote in a story, near and far can live in one pair of glasses.
Bifocal lenses
The lens has two separate zones. The top is for distance, a small window below is for near. The line between them is visible. People adapt quickly, but the middle distance, a computer screen for example, can stay a little soft in both zones.
Progressive lenses
The change from distance to near is smooth, with a middle zone in between. From outside they look like ordinary lenses. Getting used to them can take a few days while you learn to turn your head slightly.
Which one to choose
If your day moves between a screen, the wheel and reading, progressives are usually more comfortable. If it is mostly reading and distance, bifocals may be enough. We choose together, by prescription, frame height and your work.
Coatings
Both can have an anti-reflective coating such as ZEISS DuraVision. It cuts reflections from screens and night lights and makes the lenses easier to keep clean.
This article is general information and does not replace medical advice. If your vision changes or your eye hurts or turns red, see an eye doctor.