Single vision vs progressive lenses: which one?

If you’ve just been handed a prescription and a list of lens options, here’s the short version: single vision lenses correct one distance, progressive lenses correct several. Which one you need depends on your prescription, your age and how you spend your day.

What are single vision lenses?

A single vision lens has one power across the whole lens. It corrects either distance vision (short-sight, a minus power) or near vision (long-sight or reading, a plus power). Most people under 40 wear single vision lenses.

• Simplest to wear: the whole lens is usable, so there’s nothing to get used to.
• Most affordable: it’s the lowest-cost lens type.
• Widest view: no zones, no blur at the edges from lens design.

What are progressive lenses?

A progressive lens has three zones blended together with no visible line: distance at the top, intermediate (computer distance) in the middle and reading at the bottom. You look through the right part of the lens by moving your eyes and chin slightly.

They’re designed for presbyopia, the natural loss of close-up focus that starts for almost everyone in their 40s. With progressives you can drive, work on a laptop and read your phone in one pair of glasses.

How to tell which one your prescription needs

Look for an ADD value on your prescription (for example ADD +1.50 or +2.00).

• ADD is present: your optometrist has prescribed extra reading power. A progressive (or bifocal) lens is usually right.
• No ADD: you need single vision.

Not sure what the other numbers mean? See how to read your eye prescription.

Single vision vs progressive at a glance

	Single vision	Progressive
Corrects	One distance	Far, middle and near
Typical wearer	Under 40, or reading-only	40+, with an ADD on the prescription
Getting used to it	Immediate	A few days to two weeks
Cost	Lower	Higher (more complex lens)
Glasses needed	May need a separate reading pair	One pair for everything

Getting used to progressives

Most people adapt within a few days; some take up to two weeks. A few tips:

1. Wear them all day from day one rather than switching back and forth.
2. Point your nose at what you want to see, and move your eyes, not just your head, to read.
3. On stairs, tilt your chin down a little so you look through the distance zone.
4. A wider-corridor design makes the transition easier, especially if you use a computer a lot.

Accurate fitting matters more with progressives than any other lens. The zones must line up with your pupils, so your PD and fitting height have to be right.

What about bifocals?

Bifocals have two zones (distance and reading) with a visible line between them and no middle zone. They’re cheaper, but the image “jumps” at the line and computer distance isn’t covered. Most people moving from bifocals prefer progressives once they’ve tried them.

Which should you choose?

• One distance to fix and no ADD: single vision.
• Constantly swapping between reading glasses and distance glasses: progressive.
• Only struggle with books and your phone: single vision reading glasses can be enough.
• Long days at a computer plus reading: progressive, ideally with a wide intermediate zone.

Already have a frame you like?

Both lens types can be fitted into most existing full-rim and half-rim frames. Read about progressive lens replacement in your existing frame, check lens replacement prices, or book a free doorstep pickup. Looking for a new pair instead? Browse eyeglasses.