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Bifocal Glasses


Bifocals for men & women

Bifocals for the near & far

If you need some help seeing things from up close and from afar, bifocals may be your best bet. With two different prescriptions in a single lens, they're your one-and-done solution for perfect vision at both distances.

Designed for style & practicality

We proudly carry glasses that not only improve your vision but also come in a wide range of styles to bring out your best features. Whether you prefer a classic frame or the latest silhouette for your bifocals, we're confident you'll be able to find your new favourite pair here at DrEyewear.

More About Bifocals

How do bifocal lenses work?

You can infer quite a bit from its name – the word 'bi' means 'two', while 'focal' refers to the focus of the lens.

The lower portion of the lens is dedicated to close-up work like reading, writing, or looking at our phones, as we tend to look down when doing these tasks. On the other hand, the outer region of the lens is designed for distance vision, such as reading road signs, watching a movie, or recognizing a friend that's waving at you from afar.

Another thing you may have probably noticed about bifocal glasses would probably be the clear demarcation between the near and distance vision segments of the lens.


The demarcations will vary depending on the type of bifocal lens you get, but here at DrEyewear, we offer the D segment lens type specifically, simply because it's one of the easiest bifocal designs for wearers to adapt to.

How do I know if I need bifocal glasses?

There are a few signs that point to a need for bifocals, and the sooner you notice these signs, the better it'll be for your eyesight. You'll know it's time to get bifocal glasses if you experience:

Headaches and eye strain

An obvious indicator would be if you have regular headaches when doing up-close work such as reading or writing. You may also feel a throbbing sensation behind your eyes whenever you focus your eyes on nearby objects for a considerable amount of time.

Changes in vision

Does your eyesight seem perfect when reading in the morning, but not so much in the evening? Then this may be a sign that you need bifocals. Some people use multiple glasses to alleviate this problem, but let's be real, who wants to keep switching specs throughout the day?

Constantly moving things around to see better

If you frequently hold items at different distances to see clearly, then you likely need bifocals. Moving things closer or further away from you all the time just to focus on an object better isn't just taxing, but can also worsen your eyesight in the long run too.

What are bifocal glasses good for?

Aside from correcting nearsightedness and farsightedness at the same time, bifocal glasses are also helpful for:

Presbyopia

Also known as age-related farsightedness, presbyopia typically occurs in adults starting at the age of 40. This is due to the lens of the eye becoming more rigid over time, which results in difficulty when focusing on nearby objects.

There is unfortunately no cure for presbyopia, as it's but a natural part of aging. However, bifocals can help wearers cope with their changing vision.

Eyesight problems in children

Bifocals aren't just for senior folks, but can also help children with various eye concerns, namely:

  • AmblyopiaColloquially called lazy eye, amblyopia stems from focusing problems, causing one eye to go out of alignment. And if left unchecked, the eye can turn completely inward and never see well. Thankfully, bifocals can prevent this by helping children's eyes to focus properly.
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  • Progressive myopiaStudies have shown that bifocals can also slow down the progression of myopia or nearsightedness in children, as well as reduce blurred vision and fatigue while doing school work.

How long does it take to adjust to bifocals?

Because you'll have two prescriptions on one lens, it can take a bit of time to get used to compared to single vision lenses. The adjustment period may take up to two weeks, but consistently wearing your glasses can help you get used to them faster.

You may also need to consciously train your eyes to look in the appropriate vision segments when doing everyday tasks too, such as looking at the top portion (or distance vision segment) of the lens when going down the stairs, or looking at the lower portion (or near vision segment) while reading a book.

Which one is better, progressive or bifocal lenses?

The best prescription lenses for you would ultimately depend on your lifestyle. While some people prefer progressive lenses because of the seamless transition between the near, middle, and distance vision segments, others prefer bifocals as the demarcations let them know where exactly to look depending on the task at hand.

Those who do a lot of reading and writing may prefer bifocals as well since they offer a much larger vision segment for up-close work. But, if you're someone who works on a desktop or laptop for long hours, then progressive lenses will be a more suitable choice, as they're better suited for intermediate distances.

The demarcations in bifocal lenses can either be a pro or a con depending on your personal preferences too. Some people don't like the look of bifocals because of the obvious line separating the two prescriptions, while others prefer it since it allows them to easily switch from one zone to the other. Bifocals are also generally easier to adapt to because of this feature, whereas progressives usually take longer to get used to.

Oh, and another thing, bifocals are typically cheaper than progressives too, which is something you may want to take note of if you're on a budget. Luckily, we at DrEyewear carry a wide range of functional lenses and quality frames at affordable prices, so you can customize your glasses to your specific needs and preferences without breaking the bank.

Bifocal Glasses FAQs

How do I order bifocals online?

We designed our website to make buying glasses online as easy as possible. All you need to do is: 1) Select a frame; 2) Pick ‘Bifocals’ when choosing your lens; 3) Upload your prescription; 4) Select your preferred lens protection; 5) Review and complete your order.

What is the average cost of bifocal glasses?

Prices vary greatly depending on where you get your bifocals, but they typically range anywhere from $70 to a whopping $600. Another thing to note is that bifocals are usually more expensive than single-vision lenses (after all, you are getting 2 glasses in 1), but are still more affordable than progressives.

What are the disadvantages of bifocal lenses?

Bifocals are great for switching between near and distance viewing, but they might not be the best choice if you do a lot of intermediate-distance work daily. Depending on your preference, you may not like how they look aesthetically as well, since you (and the person you’re talking to) will be able to see where each vision segment starts and ends.

Can I get bifocals without “the line”?

These are what you call blended bifocals, an innovation that features a near-vision segment that’s rounder in shape. They’re less obvious compared to other types of bifocals but can be harder to adjust to since you won’t be able to see the demarcation between the near and distance vision segments as clearly.

Are bifocals good for computer work?

We don’t recommend using bifocals for computer work, as this requires mainly intermediate or middle-distance vision (which bifocal lenses don’t have). If you spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen daily, we recommend opting for progressives instead.

Can I wear bifocals for driving?

Yes! Bifocals cover distance vision, which is vital for distinguishing signs on the road and avoiding any risks that might be present.

Can I wear bifocals all the time?

Of course! Wearing bifocals all the time will help you adjust to them a lot faster as opposed to using them on occasion.
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