Many people start out with glasses for one purpose and as they age, they need further correction. For example, you may have needed glasses for seeing distances for many years, and as you aged, you found that you needed them for reading too. This poses the question as to whether you want to have separate reading glasses or switch to glasses that you can use for reading and distance.   

To resolve to have to have two different pairs of glasses, you will want to get either bifocals or progressive lenses.

Let's take a look at some of the characteristics of the different lenses:

Bifocal Lenses

Bifocal lenses have two specific vision corrections that are separated by a distinct line that runs horizontally across the lens. The top portion of the lens is for distance, and the lower part is for closer vision.

Progressive Lenses

Progressive lenses have a graduated range of vision. You may have heard of them referred to as no-line bifocals. Aside from not having a line, they offer a mid-range of vision that bifocals do not. The top part of the lens is for distance, middle is mid-range or intermediate, and the lower portion is for close up viewing. The mid-range viewing is used when working on a computer or other times you need to see things that are at arm's length or a bit further.

Bifocals work just fine for many people. If you need your glasses for distance and close up viewing, not mid-range, bifocals are a viable option. You will, however, have to take your glasses off when working on a computer and for other such situations.

Some people don't want to have that visible line that are on bifocals, and that's why they choose progressive lenses. Progressive lenses are perfect for those who need correction at all distances and do not want to change glasses. They are particularly nice in situations where you are looking from one place to another such as:

• In school where you may have to look from a book or paper on your desk to up at the front of the classroom.
• Driving where you may need to look at your dashboard and then back to the road.
• Shopping where you have a list to read and then have to look up at the shelves.

These are a few situations where it's quite convenient having progressive lenses. While bifocals may work in these cases, you may find that the transition with bifocals is difficult. Progressive lenses have soft transitions from one viewing distance to the other.

With what you have read here in mind, be sure to talk to an optician (such as one from Premier Eye Care & Surgery) about these options. With their help, you will be able to decide what best suits you and your needs.