Tuesday, February 23, 2010

AusSpecs and Multifocal Eyeglasses

What are Multi-Focals ? AKA Progressive lenses and No Line Bifocals
Us Old timers always knew then as Multi-Focals because they effectively have a multiple of areas in the lens that allow us to see clearly. They are often confused with Tri-focal's
but this is not the case
The same is true for what we now call Progressive lenses.
As the name suggests these lenses allow for clear viewing progressing from Distance Viewing at the top to Reading at the bottom of the lens with a small area in the center for Intermediate Viewing
The following Flash Presentation on the Reading, Intermediate and Distance focal points of the Multifocal Lens shows how limited we really are in the viewing area of the lens and also points out that
those that are expecting to don a pair of Multi-focal eyeglasses and see as clearly and as easily as we did as kids are often disappointed.
A Practical Look Through Multi-focal Eyeglasses



For a better view of this graphic please visit The AusSpecs Web Site

Can everyone wear Multi-Focals ?

No not all people are suited to wearing these types of prescription glasses.
One of the most common reasons is that with multifocals you need to turn your head to focus on an object rather than just move your eyes.
This takes some getting used to and some re-training of the brain before it becomes second nature. There are other, also medical reason for not being able to wear progressive lenses but fortunately
the vast majority of us that need them can get used to them eventually.
The quality of the Eyeglass Lens is also a very important factor. Only use manufacturers you trust or have been recommended to.
If you are at all concerned the bright side is that it is far better to pay the very cheap prices at www.ausspecs.com.au for excellent quality Multi-focals and find you cant wear them than the hugely expensive prices in the retail stores !

Tri-Focal's

Tri-focal's should not be confused with Multi-focals although this is often the case. Tri-focal's have 3 very different and distinct focal points on the lens and are usually separated by a visible line
between the focal areas. Only a few manufacturers offer this option nowadays

Computer Glasses

Computer glasses consist primarily to let you read both a book and the computer screen with little movement of the head (providing your monitor is setup correctly.
In the past we have only have the option of either Multi-focals (which have a very small Intermediate Viewing area) or Bifocals (which sort of do the job but not exceptionally well).
Clearly a new lens was required for this application and it had to fulfill the requirement to have wide viewing areas for both reading documents and the computer screen. It also had to be specifically
focused on the distance value (normally around 80cm) a person sat from the screen and they had to get rid of the pesky line across the lens.
Fortunately this has now been achieved by manufactures of e.g. the Access Lenses and others so we can all see that little bit better.