HY 11/06: Shopping for Bifocals | Lehigh Valley Hospital

Here’s how to sort the options and find the best choice for you

If your arms aren’t long enough to read the fine print anymore (a condition of aging eyes called presbyopia), there’s good news. You’re not limited to those “lined” bifocals your parents wore to see up close. “Bifocals come in all styles now—including progressive lenses, special coatings and bifocal contacts,” says Allentown optometrist Bruce Hillman, O.D. “Your choice depends on your occupation and needs. Focus on proper fit and high quality.”

Progressive lenses (no-line bifocals/multifocals) offer a smooth transition from distance to near vision without lines. Progressives start at about $190 and can be customized—for instance, with intermediate vision for computer work—or fitted into today’s fashionable smaller frames.

You’ll probably adjust quickly to progressives, but some people have continuing distortion. “Most manufacturers offer a trial period during which lenses can be adjusted or exchanged for lined bifocals or single-vision reading glasses,” Hillman says.

Lens coatings and tints enhance eyeglass performance, but each adds another $20-$80 to the total price. “Check your insurance coverage and choose based on your needs,” Hillman says.

Scratch-resistant coatings significantly reduce scratches and often come built into plastic lenses, including traditional plastic, polycarbonate (shatter-resistant), and high-index (lighter, thinner lenses for stronger prescriptions). Double-check to be sure.

Ultraviolet coatings (they’re invisible) block the sun’s harmful UV rays, which contribute to cataracts and macular degeneration.

Anti-reflective coatings have metal oxide layers similar to camera lenses. They cut glare, particularly at night, but may smudge easily.

Photochromic or transitional lenses automatically adjust from clear to dark, depending on light conditions. Most people opt for separate sunglasses (including progressives) or clip-ons. But photochromic lenses make sense if you have blue or gray eyes (which are more light-sensitive) or go in and out of doors frequently.

Permanent color tints also protect light eyes and cut glare, if you like this look.

If you prefer contact lenses to glasses, again you have plenty of options. Bifocal or multifocal contacts come in soft and gas-permeable styles and work like progressive eyeglasses. But they may be too weak for people with high near-vision needs, and some users notice distortion. A year’s supply of lenses costs $200-$260.

Your other choice is monovision contacts, in which the dominant eye is corrected for distance vision and the other eye for near vision. Your brain compensates for the difference, but some people never adjust. A year’s supply averages about $160. Ask for a trial period for both bifocal and monovision contacts.

Want to Know More about presbyopia and other age-related vision problems? Click here.

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