Single vision, varifocal, occupational: which lens do I need?

Under forty

Single vision. One power across the lens. You need distance, or you need reading, not both — because your eyes still refocus by themselves. If you’re on screens all day and your eyes are tired by four, anti-fatigue lenses (single vision with a small boost at the bottom) take the strain off the focusing muscle; they’re the cheapest fix for the commonest complaint.

Over forty, one pair for everything

Varifocal. Distance at the top, reading at the bottom, a smooth corridor between. The convenience is real and so is the compromise: the corridor is narrow, and the edges of the lower half are blurred by design. A well-fitted varifocal keeps the clear zone where your eyes go; a badly fitted one doesn’t. Why ours work →

Over forty, at a desk all day

Occupational. Reading at the bottom, the screen and the room in front at the top, no distance. Wider clear zones than a varifocal because it doesn’t have to do the distance job. Most varifocal wearers who hate their glasses at work are wearing the wrong lens at the desk; an occupational pair as a second pair fixes it.

Reading only

Enhanced readers if you read and craft and want a bit more depth than a plain reader. Plain readers from the chemist are fine for occasional use if both eyes are the same; if they’re not, or you’re straining, get them made.

The rule of two

Almost every “I can’t get on with my glasses” we hear is one pair being asked to do two jobs. Varifocal for life plus occupational for the desk; distance for driving plus readers for the sofa. Two cheaper pairs beat one expensive compromise more often than not.

The short version

• Under 40: single vision, or anti-fatigue if screens tire your eyes
• Over 40, one pair: varifocal — fitted properly
• Over 40, at a desk: occupational, as a second pair
• Most complaints are one pair doing two jobs

The full lens comparison