What is the difference between Single Vision and Progressive prescription lenses?Updated a year ago
Fuse Lenses offers single-vision lenses starting at $79.99 and Progressive lenses starting at $154.99.
Single-vision Lenses
Single-vision prescription lenses are the most common type of prescription lenses. This type of lens only corrects a single line of vision, which means it is one prescription power throughout the entire lens. If you need to be able to see things far away, like the board in a classroom or street signs while driving, you are near-sighted. If you need to see something up close, then you are far-sighted. Both near-sighted and far-sighted people need single-vision lenses.
Reading glasses are also considered single-vision lenses. What comes to mind for most people are pre-made reading glasses that can be purchased over the counter, like at a gas station. These are always the same power in each eye, ranging from +1.00 to +2.50 with quarter steps in between. Some people may also use the term “reading lenses” or "cheaters" to describe progressive or bifocal lenses, which you can read about below. At Fuse, we only offer custom reading lenses that require a prescription from your optometrist and are custom-made to order.
Progressive Lenses
If you want to correct near-sightedness and far-sightedness, then progressive prescription lenses are what you are looking for. People usually think of bifocals when correcting both types of vision. However, these are not the same thing as progressive lenses. Bifocals (and trifocals) have a visible line in the lens where the line of vision changes, progressive lenses do not have this line. Instead, they seamlessly progress from seeing objects at long distances to seeing near. Because they don’t have a line of division it also makes them more aesthetically pleasing.
The biggest field of view is at the top, this helps with distance viewing to do activities like walking and driving. The second-largest is the one at the bottom of the lenses which helps with seeing things at a close distance. The smallest area viewing area is intermediate, which is between long-distance and close-distance viewing.
There is an adjustment period when wearing progressive lenses. You have to build up the wear time every day for the first 2-3 weeks to adjust to the lenses. And depending on the type of activity you are doing, you have to get used to your eyes finding the “sweet spot”.