Understanding Lens Options and Prescription Types

Choosing the right vision type ensures your new glasses perform perfectly for your lifestyle! Use this guide to understand the exact difference between each option in our lens configurator.

Prescription & Vision Types Explained

1. Single Vision (Everyday Distance)

• What it corrects: One single vision zone across the entire lens (usually for seeing far away).
• Best for: General everyday wear, driving, walking, or watching TV.
• Suitable for driving? ✅ YES.

2. Near Vision (Reading Glasses)

• What it corrects: Close-up magnification across the entire lens.
• Best for: Reading books, viewing smartphone screens, or close hobby work.
• Suitable for driving? ❌ NO. (Everything far away will look blurry!).

3. Progressive Lenses (No-Line Multifocals)

Progressive lenses blend multiple vision powers into a single lens with no visible lines. When ordering progressives, you will choose between two distinct types:

• Standard Progressive (Everyday All-in-One):
  • What it corrects: Far-away distance, intermediate (computer/dashboard), and close-up reading.
  • Best for: All-day wear, driving, outdoors, and daily activities.
  • Suitable for driving? ✅ YES.
• Office Progressive (Desk & Computer Work Only):
  • What it corrects: Close-up reading and computer screens up to 5 feet only.
  • Best for: Desk work, reading documents, or long hours at a computer.
  • Suitable for driving? 🚨 NO! DO NOT DRIVE IN OFFICE PROGRESSIVES! (They do not have a distance vision zone).

⏱️ First-Time Progressive Wearers: Allow a 1 to 2-week adjustment period for your eyes and brain to get used to progressive lenses. Practice turning your head slightly toward what you want to look at, rather than just moving your eyes!

4. Bifocal (Lined Multifocals)

• What it corrects: Two distinct vision zones separated by a visible line across the lens (top for distance, bottom for reading).
• Best for: Wearers who want a clear, defined line between distance and close-up reading.
• Suitable for driving? ✅ YES.

5. Non-Prescription (Fashion & Blue Light)

• What it corrects: Lenses with zero magnification or vision correction.
• Best for: Fashion frames, permanent sunglasses, or non-prescription blue-light protection glasses for computer screens.
• Suitable for driving? ✅ YES.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are Basic Lenses Disabled?

If basic lenses are disabled (greyed out) during checkout, here is why it happens and how you can unlock all lens options:

• Why basic lenses get disabled: When you manually type your prescription numbers, our system automatically checks the strength. For stronger prescriptions (typically +/- 4.00 SPH or higher, or strong astigmatism), basic standard lenses are automatically greyed out because they become too thick and heavy for the frame.
• 🔓 How to unlock all lens options: Switch your prescription method to "Upload Image" (or "Send Later"
  • 💡 Why this works: Selecting an image upload routes your order directly to our Master Opticians for individual evaluation. This keeps all lens packages unlocked so you can select your preferred option while our lab double-checks the fit.

What does it mean if I have 'intermediate' indicated on my prescription?

An intermediate prescription designation means a portion of your lens is optimized specifically for mid-range distances. This zone covers space that is further away than a typical reading book but closer than your driving distance.

Intermediate lenses are perfect for desktop computer monitor work, seeing your car dashboard clearly, or viewing objects at arm's length.

• 🛒 Ready to shop? Explore our Multifocal Glasses Collection to find the perfect frames for your intermediate vision needs.

What are no-line bifocals?

"No-line bifocals" is the common consumer term used to describe modern progressive lenses. Unlike traditional bifocals, progressive lenses have no visible horizontal line dividing your viewing zones. Instead, they offer an aesthetically seamless transition down the lens pane that maps three distinct visual fields:

1. Distance Vision: Located at the top of the lens for looking at objects far away (e.g., driving or walking).

2. Intermediate Vision: Located in the center of the lens for mid-range viewing (e.g., computer screens).

3. Near Vision: Located at the bottom of the lens for close-up tasks (e.g., reading your phone).

• 🛒 Need help finding your match? Take our style quiz to find your Pairfect Match™ or browse our Bifocal and Progressive Glasses Collections.

Can I use an eyeglasses prescription for contact lenses?

No, you cannot use an eyeglasses prescription to purchase contact lenses, and a contact lens prescription cannot be used to purchase eyeglasses.

Because contact lenses sit directly on your eye while eyeglass lenses sit further away on the bridge of your nose, the mathematical values vary significantly to account for that distance. Always ensure you are using the correct prescription type for the product you are ordering.

 Tip: Need more help? Click 👉to be routed to our Prescription guide