If you are one of the millions of Americans who wears corrective lenses, chances are, you know a thing or two about the difference prescription glasses in Oshkosh can make when you wear them on an everyday basis. Younger people with pretty decent vision and weaker prescriptions most likely notice an overall difference in their vision when they don’t wear their glasses as opposed to when they do. But as they grow older, those weaker prescriptions may no longer be sufficient, as the human eyes undergo an aging process just like any other parts of the body, and a big part of the aging process in the eyes is a change in their ability to see things close up.
This difficulty in seeing things that are close up is the result of a condition called presbyopia, which everyone will experience as they age. Although presbyopia can’t be prevented, the use of bifocals, trifocals and progressive lenses can help people retain their vision as they age. Here is a brief look at the differences between these three options and what they may do for your vision:
- Bifocals: As their name suggests, bifocals contain two different lens strengths: one for distance vision and one for up-close vision. Traditional bifocals are often identifiable by the presence of a clear line marking the border between the distance and up-close portions of the lens. While this doesn’t provide much variation in terms of visibility, it does provide a larger viewing area for seeing things either at a distance or up close.
- Trifocals: Much like bifocals, the unique feature of trifocals is right there in their name, although in this case, there’s a third, intermediate distance built into the lens. While this provides a greater range of clear visibility, the viewing area for each distance is somewhat diminished. But trifocals and bifocals alike can also be crafted in different ways to enhance your vision according to your occupational needs or to make it easier for you to enjoy your hobbies.
- Progressive lenses: Progressive lenses are a line-free option that offers numerous strengths in a seamless fashion. While they are probably the most popular option nowadays, progressive lenses do have a significant drawback, which is that reading and computer work can be more difficult due to narrower lens areas than you’d have with bifocals or trifocals. That said, progressive lenses do prevent the rapid changes in image associated with crossing the lines in bifocals or trifocals, and have the added benefit of making their wearer appear younger than someone whose glasses have visible lines on the lenses.
Presbyopia is, unfortunately, just a fact of life that comes along with getting older. But the good news is that the effects of diminished vision can be mitigated through the use of prescription glasses in Oshkosh. Ultimately, you should choose the corrective lenses that work best for your vision, and a visit to your optometrist can help you determine whether bifocals, trifocals, progressive lenses or another option will work best for your eyes and your everyday needs.