If you're in your mid-40s or older, you probably have glasses with multifocal lenses, like bifocals or trifocals. These have two or more prescriptions to correct your vision. In the past, you could spot this type of lens by the line between the two sections. But today’s products often look seamless.
Bifocals. The most common type of multifocal. The lens is split into two sections. The upper part helps with distance vision. The lower half is for near vision. They’re usually prescribed for people over 40 who can’t focus well anymore. That’s due to presbyopia, an age-related change that affects your eye's lens.
Trifocals. These are bifocals with a third section. It sits above the bifocal portion of the lens. You look through it to see objects within arm's reach, like a computer screen.
There are also progressive lenses, which have no line, and start with your distance prescription at the top and progressively move toward your full reading prescription at the very bottom.
If you have questions about which type is right for you, talk to your eye doctor. They can help you choose the one that best fits your lifestyle and vision needs.
