Eyeglass Lens Type
There are three basic vision depths…
- Near: aka reading distance – books, phones or tablets, sewing, anything held within arm’s length.
- Mid: A workspace, like your desk computer, sheet music on a piano, or the dashboard in your car.
- Distance: Everything about 4 feet away and beyond.
There are two basic categories of lenses…
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- Single Vision: One focal point, correcting your vision to one vision depth.
- Multifocal Vision: More than one focal point, correcting vision at more than one vision depth; includes bifocal, trifocal, and progressive lenses.
Single Vision Lenses with a single focal point; these lenses will correct your vision at only one vision depth. For example… SV eyeglasses would be for reading only, computer only, driving only, etc. Your eyes will quickly adjust to new SV lenses within a day or two – often within a matter of minutes.
Why get single vision eyeglasses from Ferman Optometry instead of an over-the-counter pair from the drug store?
| Ferman Optometry | General OTC | |
| Custom-made by a board-certified optician? |
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| Custom adjusted to fit your face? |
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| Free adjustments for lifetime of glasses? |
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| More than 1,000 frame choices? |
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| Lenses made to precisely fit your face? |
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| Lenses made with optical quality material? |
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| Lenses made to accommodate astigmatism? |
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| Lenses available with superior blue-light filter? |
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| Lenses available with anti-reflective coating? |
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| Lenses available with a 1- or 2-year warranty? |
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| Mass-produced, cheaply-made frames? |
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| Lenses often not made with optical-quality plastic? |
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| Bargain-basement quality for a bargain-basement price? |
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Multifocal Vision
Lined Bifocals Lenses with two focal points, separated with a distinct and visible horizontal edge. These lenses will correct your vison at two vision depths – the top portion will have a mid or distance prescription, and the bottom portion will have a reading prescription. A popular combination for lined bifocals is computer on top and reading on the bottom.
Your eyes will adjust to new bifocal lenses almost as quickly as SV lenses – some patients may need an extra day or so to learn to switch between the two focal distances.
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Multifocal Vision – Progressives
Lenses with multiple focal points, no visible edge. Progressive Addition Lenses (PALs) will have your distance Rx on top, mid Rx in the middle, and reading Rx on the bottom. And instead of a fixed and visible horizontal edge, PALs will provide a smooth transition among all vision depths, providing sharp vision and at any distance. Your eyes will need time to adjust to progressives – some patients may need only a day or two, others may a week or two. Think of a new pair of shoes – sometimes it takes more than a couple days to get used to them, but once your body adjusts, they feel great!
What is covered by my vision Insurance?
The material benefit covers just the lenses (the material)… this could be single or bifocal; PAL is considered a lens option for bifocal lenses and is not part of the material benefit. Most vision insurance policies have some type of benefit for PALs – it could be a copay (separate from frame and material copays), or a simple discount off the usual & customary cost.