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Lenses After 40
Holding your reading material further and further away to clear the fine prints? Pulling your glasses up to your head in order to read the latest news on your mobile phone? Most importantly, whenever you do so, it is obvious to surrounding people that you are suffering from “old eyes” (a.k.a. presbyopia scientifically)
What causes presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a natural result of aging and occurs as crystalline lenses inside your eyes lose flexibility. Normally, these lenses adjust in order to refract light at different distances. Yet, as you are reaching the age of 40, they become rigid and less flexible, making it harder to read, thread a needle or do close-up work.
Undeniably, having a pair of reading glasses can be a hassle especially for those who need to switch between their glasses for distance and reading glasses. Fortunately, times have changed and with the help of modern day’s technology, you are given the opportunity to feel youthful and fresh again!
Here, we have a few solutions catered to your visual needs.
Single Vision Lenses
Single vision lenses contain only one focal power, hence they correct only far or near vision, but not both simultaneously. It is more recommended for people who have good unaided vision (vision without prescription glasses) at one of the distances. By having this type of ophthalmic lenses, you will need to remove the glasses in order to see things near if the prescription is only for far, or vice versa.
For those who have refractive error for both distance and near, single vision lenses can also be prescribed as monovision, in which the dominant eye is corrected for distance, while the non-dominant is corrected for near. Through this method, you will have functional distance and near vision without the need of taking off the glasses.
Bifocals
Bifocals consist of two lens powers. A small portion at the bottom part of the lens contains power that is required to correct your near vision, where the rest of the lens is usually for your distance vision. Bifocal lenses work great for a clear vision at far and near, but not the intermediate distance e.g. for your desktop or laptop work, which is widely used among people nowadays.
The lens segment devoted to near vision correction can be one of several shapes:
D-Segment or Flat Top
Round Segment
Executive
Bifocals were more frequently used before progressive lenses were introduced back then. Also, the bifocals have visible segment on the lenses, which expose one’s presbyopic needs, making them less appealing aesthetically. As progressive lenses show better advantage of clear vision at larger range of distances, without limiting to only one or two distances, this makes them a popular choice among many people.
Progressive Addition Lenses (PAL)
Unlike bifocals, PAL do not have distinct lines or segment for reading and they offer the advantage of clear vision over a large range of distances. PAL consist of a gradient and gradual change of power from top to the bottom of the lenses, allowing a smooth transition from distance to intermediate (computer) vision, slowly to near (reading) distance.
However, not all PAL are created equal in terms of design and style. The transition of power in PAL help wearers to achieve clear vision at all distances without any visible segments, this design tends to induce distortions at both the inner and outer side of the lens, especially if the difference of the distance and near prescription is huge! Hence, it is at one’s best interest to go for a pair of PAL with higher quality, with wider intermediate and reading portion, for the best level of comfort and clarity.
What are the factors that determine the success of wearing PAL?
The Brand
Yes you see it right, brand makes the difference. Higher-end PAL usually have more advanced optical design for better adaptation and more enhanced visual experience. Once you have reach to the age, PAL is something you will use it every single day, therefore, it is crucial for you to have the one fits you best!
The Measurements
Precise measurements are one of the important things that determine your success with PAL. In order to ensure that you are looking through the optical center of the lenses, the wearing habits e.g. probably you like to wear glasses a bit higher, viewing habits e.g. your head posture or facial asymmetry and the type of frames will all be taken into consideration when it comes to taking the measurements. You can say, they are highly personalized for your most comfortable vision.
The Frame
The chosen frames shall not only balance your face shape, more importantly, they have to fit and sit well on your face without rocking. Proper adjustment of the frames will certainly make a difference between frustration and effortless vision.
The Adaptation Period
Self-motivation is the key! You should expect an adaptation period of up to two weeks. Of course, if you give yourself a time to wear your new PAL in a consistent basis, you will adjust and adapt to the glasses eventually.
If your visual tasks are based predominantly around intermediate and near distances, standard PAL may not be a perfect solution for you. In standard PAL, intermediate area is smaller and may not be considerable for long-term computer work.
IN lenses are also a type of PAL, but they only cover for near and intermediate distances (up to 4 meters away), hence they comprise lesser steps in the power changes. IN lenses are also known as office lenses as the main purpose is to support your vision at work or in-office meeting. Having said that, IN lenses are NOT meant for driving or walking around.
To enjoy the best vision with ultimate comfort at work as well as in the modern daily lives, having only one pair of PAL may not be good enough! Why? This is because all PAL have the highest distortion around the intermediate area. While we are in an era with high dependency on digital devices such computer, laptop and mobile phones, having a combination of a pair of IN lenses for work purposes and a pair of PAL for general daily usage will put your visual comfort and ergonomics at best.
Thankfully from battling presbyopia to fulfilling occupational needs, there are many options when it comes to eyewear. Rest assured, our team will offer you the best and most comfortable lenses tailored to your individual lifestyle.