Owning multiple pairs of eyeglasses, each with their own specialized use, can greatly minimize the daily struggle to see clearly in different situations.
Most people over the age of 40 start experiencing the inability to focus on objects up-close, which is called presbyopia. When this starts to happen, an advanced kind of optical lens called a progressive lens, is often ideal (also referred to as no-line bifocals or blended bifocals/trifocals). Progressive lenses contain three different prescriptions within one lens; a prescription for distance, one for reading things close up, and a third power for seeing things at arm’s distance. Progressives are beneficial in that they allow users to wear one single pair of eyeglasses for viewing multiple distances. A progressive lens most closely resembles a healthy eye’s ability to see.
However, a progressive lens is not always the best answer for all situations. Our lifestyles and extracurricular activities can influence the need for multiple pairs of eyewear.
Read the scenarios below for a better understanding of how specialty eyewear can benefit you:
Susie is a progressive lens wearer, but she is struggling with neck discomfort during her 8-hour shift at work as an accountant. She uses two computer monitors daily and feels as though her eyes are strained at the end of the day.
Solution: Because Susie has to tilt her head back to see her computer screen clearly through her progressive lenses, her neck is becoming stiff. Susie would benefit from investing in a second pair of glasses, which would contain a specialty lens specifically for computer use. With this type of lens, the computer prescription sits directly in front of Susie’s pupil, which means she does not have to hold her head in an uncomfortable way. Not only would this computer lens allow her to see her computer screen clearly, it also includes prescriptions that would also allow her to read and see a short distance. Adding a blue-light blocking anti-reflective treatment would provide additional protection for Susie’s eyes, reducing glare from the computer screen, and blocking some of the harmful blue light from entering the back of her eye. Once Susie is done at the computer, she would put away her computer glasses and go back to wearing her progressive lenses. Having these two pairs of eyewear would eliminate her neck and eye strain and would allow her to be more comfortable on a daily basis.
Jonathan only needs glasses for distance vision. However, his eyes are extra sensitive to sunlight and his eyes are strained at the lake while fishing because he is continuously squinting.
Solution: Jonathan would benefit from a pair of single vision polarized glasses. Polarized lenses help reduce the glare that is reflected from a smooth, flat, shiny surface like water or the hood of a car. Polarized lenses have been made with a special process to filter out intense glare. This formulation acts almost like a blind or curtain, allowing only some light to pass through. Most polarized lenses will also block UV light, which can cause damage to the eyes. Another unique feature of polarized lenses is that instead of simply darkening what’s in front of you, they are color-enhancing and will make colors contrasted, vivid, and bright. Jonathan will especially benefit from polarized lenses while fishing, as it will allow him to see through the glare on top of the water all the way through to the fish below. He can also wear his sunglasses while driving, reducing the amount of strain on his eyes.
Wanda wears progressive lenses and is an avid reader. She also creates very delicate beaded jewelry as a hobby. She has been struggling with seeing things up close.
Solution: For people like Wanda whose hobbies include close-up work, a set of reading glasses will be most helpful for magnification. Although Wanda can read well through her progressive lenses, the way those lenses are designed are not conducive to wearing for a prolonged period of time, as it can affect the neck and cause unnecessary eye strain from seeing out of the smallest portion of the lens. A benefit of having a second pair of reading glasses is that the entire lens would provide the magnification that she needs to read and craft. Taking the time to put on her reading glasses during those activities will allow Wanda’s neck and eyes to relax.
Each of these real-life scenarios show how multiple pairs of glasses can fit into different lifestyles. You can expect your optician to ask questions about your hobbies and activities, so that they can best determine what type of lenses would fulfill your current needs.
Some questions to ask yourself when trying to identify if your lifestyle requires multiple pairs of glasses:
Have I noticed that my eyes are becoming strained more frequently while doing a certain activity?
Have I noticed an increased sensitivity to sunlight or headlights?
How many hours of the day am I looking at a digital screen (computer monitor, iphone, ipad. etc)
Do my eyes feel dry and tired at the end of the day?
Is it taking longer for my eyes to focus when I try to read fine print?