Types of lenses for glasses

When shopping for a new pair of glasses, you may have noticed that there are a few different types of lenses for glasses to choose from.

At their simplest, lenses help focus light onto your retina, so you can see clearly. But beyond that, they can have a mixture of functions. Single vision lenses have just one job – they correct for vision for one task (such as reading or far-sighted use) while multifocal lenses can be used for more than one task.

Whilst it’s your glasses prescription that determines the shape of your lenses, you can choose what type of lens suits your lifestyle best. Here’s our guide to lens types and how they might work for you.

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What are the different types of glasses lenses

There are many different eyewear lens types to select from. Each one is suited to a different type of person and their lifestyle so it’s worth considering and speaking to your optometrist about at your eye test appointment.

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Single vision lenses

Single vision lenses only have one power of vision correction. These are the standard glasses you probably imagine and are designed to correct your vision for one type of task such as reading or screen use. Additionally, for people under 40-years old, these may be suitable for a range of activities.

Diagram explaining single vision lenses on a clear background.
Diagram explaining single vision lenses on a clear background.

Anti-fatigue lenses

Similar to bifocal lenses, anti-fatigue lenses have two different zones of power. The lower section is designed to allow you to work on close-up work for long periods of time, minimising the amount of strain required for your eyes to focus for long periods of time.

Multifocal lenses

Multifocal lenses describe a group of lenses that have multiple powers of vision correction built into the same lens.

Diagram explaining single vision lenses on a clear background.
A man smiles while handing over glasses to a customer.

Bifocal lenses

Bifocals are divided into two zones – typically one zone for near vision and one for distance. There is a dividing line that you can clearly see to tell the difference between the two areas.

Trifocal lenses

Like bifocals, trifocal lenses are split into three different zones – one for near vision, one for intermediate vision, one for far vision. These types of lenses also have visible lines separating the different areas for different tasks.

Diagram of varifocal lenses with labeled vision zones on a white background

Varifocal lenses 

Varifocal lenses are just like bifocal and trifocal lenses, designed to help you see at different distances in one lens. But, unlike the others, they have a gradual change in prescription without visible lines to separate the segments. To the untrained eye, they look the same as single-vision lenses. 

The distance vision part of the lens is usually in front of the pupil, with the near vision part in the lower section of the lens. 

Diagram of progressive lenses with labeled sections on a white background

Progressive lenses 

You might sometimes hear about progressive lenses, however, this is just another name for varifocals, lenses with multiple powers of vision in one lens that gradually blend together without the visible lines.

Diagram of office lenses with labeled sections on a white background

Office lenses 

Also known as occupational lenses, office lenses are designed to support office workers and other professionals who require a prescription to see objects up close but also need to view colleagues, computers, or other items slightly further away. They prevent you from having to constantly put on and remove your glasses, helping to reduce eye strain and make you more comfortable when working and doing hobbies.

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Types of lens treatments

Alongside the power of your lenses, there are also many different types of lens coatings to help improve your vision, lessen eye strain, and suit your lifestyle and personal preferences.

Polarising coatings

Polarised lenses reduce glare, especially from reflective surfaces like glass or water. They’re great for playing sports, driving and simply lounging by the pool.

Photochromic coatings

Made from either glass or plastic, photochromic lenses cleverly react to sunlight, changing from clear to tinted according to how much protection you need. So they’re clear when you step inside and tinted when you step outside.

Anti-reflective coatings

Anti-glare glasses, also known as anti-reflection glasses, reduce reflections on and improve the clarity of your glasses lenses. It makes them particularly useful for reducing glare while driving and working with screens to reduce eye strain. These types of lens coatings also improve the reactivity of photochromatic glasses.

Ultraviolet (UV) coating

Ensuring your sunglasses have good UVA and UVB protection is vital to enjoying time outside. We’re all aware of the negative effects of the sun on our skin but did you know that it can also harm our eyes? UV coating on glasses helps to protect your eyes from the harmful rays while you’re out and about in the sun.

Blue light coating

Some people find that Blue Light lens coating reduces the discomfort from screens and computer monitors to help prevent eye strain.

Lens thinning

If you have a mid to high prescription, the lenses you require can be quite thick which many people don’t like the look of alongside the magnification and minification effects your lenses can have on your eyes. Therefore, most opticians offer recommend lens thinning, allowing you to have thinner lenses that still fit your prescription. Thinning the lenses also helps reduce the look of magnification (making the eyes look bigger) or minification (making the eyes look smaller).

Choose the right lenses for your needs

Are you having difficulty choosing the right lenses for you and your lifestyle? Don’t worry, Leightons are here to help. Visit your local Leightons branch and chat with our qualified dispensing opticians who can help you find the perfect lenses.

We’ll help you find the right prescription, try on frames, and ask you questions about your needs, lifestyle, and preferences to help you find the right lenses – and we’ll be happy to chat through whether multifocals, varifocals, or single focus lenses are the right fit for you. Additionally, we offer follow-up appointments to help find the perfect fit and troubleshoot any issues you might be having.

Two stylish tortoiseshell sunglasses floating over a pink background.
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