Let's Talk About: Progressives, Bifocals, and Reading Glasses
I get asked about this every day. Patients begin to lose the ability to focus on their phones, computers, books, or other reading materials. Let’s start by learning what happens to your eyes as you age into your 40’s. Then we’ll talk about lens options.
How My Eyes Work to Focus
There are four basic parts to your eye involved with seeing clearly:
The cornea is the clear tissue in front of your eyes. If you’ve worn contacts, this is where they sit. The cornea does about 70% of bending the light entering your eyes to focus it on your retina.
The pupil is the central “hole” in the iris (colored part of your eye) that lets light into the back of your eyes. This adjusts in size for the brightness of your environment, getting much smaller in bright sunlight and large in a dark room.
The lens sits behind the pupil and adjusts your focus for various distances. As you focus from far away to your cell phone, the lens changes shape to keep the image clear.
The retina is the back of your eye, where the image is changed from light to nerve impulses. These are carried by the optic nerve to the brain, where vision takes place.
For example, when your finger touches a corner, an impulse is sent to your brain where you are made aware your finger is touching a corner. You feel the corner with your finger; you know it’s a corner because of your brain.
What Does Presbyopia Mean?
As you age and develop Presbyopia…Presby = “older”; opia – “sight”. This happens when your lens starts to lose its flexibility over about a 10-year period, typically from your early 40’s to early 50’s. This is normal and not a disease, but it is part of the aging process for everyone.
This eye diagram can help you visualize what happens when your lens starts to lose the ability to change focus:
Common Signs of Presbyopia
Holding your cell phone or book at arm’s length
Eye strain or headaches after reading or in the afternoon
Blurry vision when trying to read
Needing brighter light for close work
Asking a friend or spouse to read a menu for you
How to Correct Your Vision with Presbyopia
First, you have to accept that you have a vision issue. I have had many patients deny they have a problem with near vision until they are desperate. It is much better to accept your eyes are naturally aging and schedule an eye exam.
Secondly, you will need to understand what your options are to correct your vision. There are 3 main options: no-line progressives, bifocals, or single vision reading glasses. Let’s look at each of these.
Use this diagram of the various lens designs for reference as you read…
Progressives (aka: No-Line Bifocals)
These lenses are a great option for general, everyday wear:
You can see clearly at all distances
There are no visible lines, so other people won’t notice
Smooth transition between zones
Often require 2-3 days to adapt to wearing; can take up to 10-14 days
A higher cost than the other options; using your vision plan benefits typically help
Dr. Moody wears these for general tasks and polarized progressive sunglasses for driving and outdoor activities
What to Expect while Adjusting to Progressives
Most patients adapt to progressive lenses within a week or two. Here’s what the adjustment period typically looks like:
Days 1-2: May feel a bit off-balance; need to move your head more to find the sweet spots
Days 3-5: Head positioning becomes more natural; less awareness of the different zones
Week 2: Wearing them feels comfortable; barely thinking about the zones
Week 3+: Second nature – most patients say they’d never go back!
Pro tip: Wear them full-time from day one for fastest adaptation. Point your nose at what you want to see. Be patient – it gets easier every day!
Bifocals (and Trifocals)
These lenses have two distinct viewing zones, one for distance and one for reading:
Clear distance and near vision with a line separating the two
Trifocals add a third “Intermediate” distance between near and distance, which adds a second visible line in the lens
May have an abrupt ‘jump’ between different zones
Visible lines in lens may bother you
Not as costly as progressives
Single Vision
These lenses are focused on one distance, either for using a computer, reading or for seeing at a distance.
Computer Glasses
Set for your computer distance (typically 20-26 inches)
Perfect if you work on a computer 4+ hours per day
Especially helpful with multiple screens
Need to remove for driving, watching TV, etc.
Dr. Moody wears these for computer & office work!
Reading Glasses
Set for reading distance (14-16 inches)
Great for books, phone, and close-up tasks
Need to remove for driving, watching TV, etc.
Distance Glasses
Set to see clearly far away…driving, TV, movies, sporting events, kid’s events
Need to remove for reading and computer work
Can be made into polarized sunglasses for comfort in sunlight
Your Decision Guide
Choose Progressives if you…
Want one pair to see all distances
Work on the computer off and on during the day
Prefer no visible lines
Accept there may be a period of adaptation
Choose Bifocals if you…
Use only distance and reading (not much computer use)
Are OK with the jump between distance and reading
Don’t mind a visible line in your lenses
Are budget-conscious
Choose Single Vision if you…
Look at a screen 4+ hours per day
Use multiple screens at work
Have good distance vision
Don’t mind taking your glasses on and off
Want the most affordable option
What Dr. Moody Recommends
Progressives as your general use glasses
Single Vision computer glasses for work
Prescription sunglasses for driving and outdoor activities
This guide is written by Dr. Penn Moody and provided by Moody Eyes, an optometry practice serving Downtown Indianapolis and surrounding communities. If you’re experiencing any issues with reading, such as headaches, eyestrain, or blurry vision, it’s time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam on our website. We’ll help you choose the perfect solution for your lifestyle.