Bifocal glasses lenses guide
Bifocal lenses are divided into two parts to accommodate a combination of any two different prescriptions into one lens. One area of the lens will have one prescription (usually distance) and a segment in the lower half will have the other (usually near vision).
How do bifocals work?
Rather than having 2 styles of single-vision glasses, bifocal lenses can be a more convenient solution as they combine all your vision needs into one pair of glasses that can be customised to suit your personal visual needs.
Distance vision
The main portion of the lens is for distance vision. Your distance prescription will go in this part of the lens.
Near vision
The segment in the lower half of the lens is for looking at things that are near. Like built-in reading glasses in your normal prescription.
Cost of bifocal lenses
Our bifocal lenses at Specsavers cost from $100 when purchasing 2 styles and come with a scratch-resistant treatment. You can also choose from a range of extra lens treatments and options that can protect or enhance your glasses.
Lens optionsTypes of bifocals lenses
Most of the lens in bifocal glasses will contain the power for distance vision, while a smaller section (or segment) typically corrects your near vision. The lens segment devoted to near vision correction can be different shapes (such as below) with the D shaped segment being the most common one.
Half moon
Round
Full bottom half of the lens
A member of our team will work with you to understand your requirements and select a bifocal type that will offer you the best vision.
Frames for bifocal lensesFrequently asked questions
As we get older, we’ll start to find it more and more difficult to read or focus on things that are close up. This is called presbyopia and is a perfectly normal part of ageing.
Most people become aware of presbyopia when they start holding their phone or books further away in order to see it clearly.
Presbyopia will start to happen around the age of 40. So if this sounds familiar, and you already wear glasses, it might be time for an eye test and to maybe give bifocal glasses a go.
If you don’t already wear glasses for distance vision, your optometrist might recommend single-vision lenses.
Yes. Bifocal lenses combine two prescriptions into a single pair of glasses. The top part of the lens corrects distance vision, and the lower part corrects vision for close-up focusing. So no need for additional reading glasses.
Bifocals have two lens powers – one for distance and one for up close. Multifocal lenses combine three lens powers providing a third intermediate section which allows for an easier progression between distance and close vision.
Your optometrist will be able to recommend the best lens to suit your needs.