What is a Progressive No Line Bifocal?

Bifocals have been used for many years to help correct presbyopia, or changes in near vision with age. New technology in eyeglasses has created a new lens that can provide the features of a bifocal without a visible line in the lens, theses are also called progressive lenses.
 

Basics of a Bifocal

A bifocal is a type of eyeglasses which has two different prescription powers in two areas of the lens. The top of the lens is designed to correct for distance vision such as driving or watching television. The bottom of the lens is designed to correct for near vision such as reading or looking at your phone. In a traditional bifocal, there is a visible line the separates the top distance portion from the bottom near portion.
 

Why is a Bifocal Needed?

A bifocal is needed due to the aging process of our eye’s focusing ability, called presbyopia. With age, the eye is unable to flex as much to focus on things close to the eyes. This process often begins in the early forties and may be compensated for by holding things further from the face. However, as the eye ages more and becomes even less flexible, it is likely that you will need some form of reading glasses by the age of fifty or before. Over the counter reading glasses can provide some assistance in these cases but will not allow for clear distance vision or account for any other prescription needed up close. For this, a bifocal lens is needed. Since the bifocal has two distinct lenses with different powers, it can provide clear vision at both distance and near.
 

Basics of a Progressive No Line Bifocal

A no line bifocal is similar to a traditional bifocal in many ways but has several key differences. Notably, there is not a visible line to separate the distance and near lenses. This improves the outward appearance of the glasses and prevents the wearer from having the line bisect their vision while trying to look at an intermediate distance. Also, a no line bifocal is designed to create a third area of the lens which allows you to see things that are not in the distance or up close, such as a computer screen or car dashboard. Like a bifocal, the top of the no line bifocal lens is designed to provide clear vision in the distance and the bottom of the lens is designed to provide clear vision up close. However, in the middle to the bottom of the lens is the third area which provides clear vision in an intermediate region.
 

How to Get a Progressive No Line Bifocal

You will need an eyeglasses prescription from your eye doctor that is written to include a distance power and a near power. An annual eye exam is a great time to discuss with your eye doctor about your options regarding lenses such as a no line bifocal. Once you have a prescription from your eye doctor, you can purchase glasses with a no line bifocal in the optical area.

Our eye doctor at The Optical Centre in Longmont, CO excels in prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrist at 303-772-6650 or schedule an eye exam appointment online if you would like to learn more about or would like to get your own progressive no line bifocal glasses. Our eye doctor, Dr. Erica Whitmire provides the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in Longmont, Colorado and its surrounding areas.