You may notice that some objects are blurry in your vision. But you may not know why or what type of lens you need.

The prescription you get from your eye doctor will tell you exactly what type of vision correction you need and how strong. Knowing your vision needs is also helpful. When you order new glasses with us, we’ll ask if you want them for single-vision or multifocal use.

Read on to learn more about the different types of lenses for different prescription types.

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Single-Vision Lenses

Single-vision lenses correct for one focal area. They help you see either up close or far away. You may need single-vision lenses if you are just nearsighted or farsighted. Single-vision lenses also help with astigmatism.

• Nearsightedness (myopia) is when you can see objects that are up close but not those that are far away. 
• Farsightedness (hyperopia) is when you can see objects that are far away but not those that are up close.  
• Astigmatism is when the front surface of your eye curves in a way that causes blurry vision.

Reading Glasses

Reading glasses, often called readers, are a type of single-vision lens. They magnify objects that are up close so you can see them more clearly. Most people over the age of 40 need reading glasses. Any of our frames work as reading glasses.

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Multifocal Lenses

Multifocal lenses correct for multiple distances. Bifocals, trifocals, and progressives are all types of multifocal lenses

Bifocal Lenses

As their name suggests, bifocal lenses correct for two different focal areas: distance vision and up-close reading. Bifocal lenses have a clear line in the lens that separates the up-close vision correction from the distance.

Trifocal Lenses

Trifocal lenses correct for three different distances — up-close, middle, and distance vision. Like bifocals, trifocals have a distinct line in the lens that separates the different zones of correction. Trifocals allow you to do everything from driving to seeing things around your house to reading without needing to switch glasses.

Progressive Lenses

Progressive lenses also correct for three distances. Unlike trifocals, progressives seamlessly blend from one focal area to another.

Workspace Progressive Lenses

Workspace progressive lenses are great for people who work on a computer all day and also need reading glasses. They emphasize clear intermediate vision and up-close vision. This helps you see objects that are about an arm’s length away, like a computer screen, and things that are up close, like your phone or a book. They have very little distance correction. Because of this, you shouldn’t use workspace progressive glasses for driving if you also need help seeing things far away.

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Sunglasses and Custom Color Lenses

All sunglasses can include prescription lenses. Eyeglass lenses can also be tinted in gradient or solid color options for style or function. This means you can create a pair of sunglasses from any of our frames.

All sunglasses and custom color lenses include full UVA and UVB filtering and anti-glare protection. 

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Non-Prescription Lenses

If you don’t need vision correction but are looking for things like blue light filtering, we offer that too. Or you may just want a pair of fashion glasses for a new or different look. All XP Health lenses come with many lens features at no extra cost to you.

Check out our guide to choosing the right eyeglass lenses for more on lens types, materials, and finding the right lenses for you.