After about 40, close-up focus fades (presbyopia), and many people end up choosing between bifocals and progressives. Our short comparison covers the basics. This guide focuses on cost, day-to-day benefits and getting used to them.
Bifocals: two zones, one visible line
A bifocal has distance power on top and reading power in a segment at the bottom, separated by a visible line. The jump between them is sudden. That means no in-between focus, so the computer screen can be awkward, but the lenses are simple, familiar and usually cheaper.
Progressives: a smooth corridor
A progressive has no line. Power changes gradually down a "corridor" in the lens. That gives three zones:
- Distance in the upper part, for driving and seeing across a room.
- Intermediate in the middle, for a computer, dashboard or cooking.
- Near at the bottom, for reading and your phone.
The edges of a progressive have some blur, which comes with the design. Better designs and correct fitting keep the usable zones wider.
Bifocal or progressive?
| Bifocal | Progressive | |
|---|---|---|
| Looks | Visible line | Looks like ordinary glasses |
| Computer / mid-distance | Gap between zones | Dedicated intermediate zone |
| Adaptation | Quick but the "jump" stays | Takes days to adapt |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
What decides the cost?
Progressive pricing depends on the lens design (how wide the zones are), the index (thinner lenses cost more), and coatings such as anti-reflective or blue-cut. Prices vary widely between a basic and a premium design, so rather than quote a number that may not fit your prescription, we'll give you a written quote once we see it. Send your prescription on WhatsApp.
Adapting in the first 7 days
Most people adjust within one to two weeks. Some tips that help:
- Wear them full-time from day one. Switching back and forth with old glasses slows adaptation.
- Point your nose at what you want to see. Turn your head instead of sweeping your eyes sideways, which is where the blur lives.
- Read with your chin slightly down so you're looking through the lower zone.
- Be careful on stairs and kerbs for the first days, since the lower part of the lens can make the ground look closer or warped. Look down with your head, not just your eyes.
- Hold your phone and book lower than you used to.
If dizziness or distortion hasn't improved after about two weeks, don't just put up with it. Read why new glasses feel strange, then come back so we can check the fitting height and alignment, or ask your eye doctor to recheck the prescription.
Why fitting matters more than the lens
Progressives depend on two measurements that online forms can't take well: fitting height (where the corridor starts relative to your pupil) and PD. If the corridor sits too high or low, the reading zone ends up in the wrong place. That is why we recommend a quick in-store measurement, or at least a conversation, before cutting progressive lenses.
Visit us for a consultation. We'll measure the corridor height and PD for your chosen frame and explain the options. Prefer to start online? Pick Bifocal / Progressive in the lens configurator on any frame, and we'll confirm the measurements with you before we cut.
Visit or message us
EYVRO is the online brand of Deepak Opticals, Aligarh, opposite Gandhi Eye Hospital on Ramghat Road. Open 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Monday to Saturday. Get directions, message us on WhatsApp, or see our store page.
