Is reading or progressive (bifocals) glasses better for me?
Is Reading or Progressive (Bifocals) Glasses Better For Me?
Bifocals
One power on top of the lenses for distance and different power at the bottom lenses (within the pockets) for reading
Pros:
- No peripheral distortions
- Relatively easier to adapt compared to progressive lenses
Cons:
- Cosmetically unpleasant
- Patients may experience prismatic jump due to sudden change of power from top distance to ‘pocketed’ reading power
Reading Glasses
Pros:
- Good for long hours of near work
- Easy to use
- Usually no adaptation needed
- Wallet-friendly
Cons:
- Blur distance vision (patient has to remove glasses to see far clearly)
- Vision is clear at one distance, e.g. if the vision is clear for computer (~70cm away from the eyes), reading (30-35cm away from the eyes) will not be as clear and vice versa.
- Inconvenience, especially for patients who need distant glasses (Patients have to carry two pairs of glasses with them all the time)
- Easily misplaced as patients have to put on and off the glasses often
Progressive Lenses
Power progressively (and invisibly) changes from distance to bottom. Top part of the lenses for far viewing and bottom lenses for near work
Pros:
- Cosmetically pleasing as it is just like a pair of single vision glasses
- One pair for all purpose, distance, intermediate and near reading
- Age-masking J no removing of glasses to read or searching for reading glasses to read especially during social gatherings
Cons:
- Patients will need to adapt to the progressive designs due to peripheral distortions
- A bit more expensive than single vision lenses
