A new option in glasses is an anti-fatigue lens. These lenses are designed to be similar to a progressive no-line bifocal but have a much smaller power and are worn by younger individuals. These lenses are targeted at students and professionals who have lots of near work or computer tasks. By adding additional power in the bottom portion of the lenses, these lenses are able to reduce eye strain, headaches, and fatigue with prolonged near tasks.
Types of Lenses
There are three types of lenses in glasses: single vision, line bifocal, and progressive or no-line bifocal.
Single-vision lenses are best for those under 45 who only need help to see far away or up close. These lenses have only one prescription power and are uniform throughout the entire lens.
Line bifocal lenses have a separate area for a near reading power that is delineated with a visible line on the lens. The reading power is higher than the power of the rest of the lens and helps magnify the image.
Progressive or no line bifocals are similar but do not have a visible line and instead use a gradient to change from the distance power to the near power at the bottom of the lens.
Anti-fatigue lenses are a hybrid between single vision and progressive lenses. The power through the top and middle of the lens is the same, like a single-vision lens. However, at the bottom, there is a small gradient that increases the amount of near power like a progressive.
Benefits of an Anti-Fatigue Lens
The benefits of an anti-fatigue lens are derived from the addition of a small amount of plus prescription power at near.
These lenses may lower the amount of eye strain experienced with near work, may prevent words from appearing to run together after reading for a while, and may reduce the frequency of headaches with prolonged near work.
Having the additional plus prescription power relaxes the eyes slightly, while still allowing the proper stimulation and action from the eyes.
Who Can Benefit from Anti-Fatigue Lenses?
Most anti-fatigue lenses have a series of different powers that are designed for different ages.
Students are especially prone to having near vision complaints and complications due to the amount of reading, writing, and high-focus activities required from schoolwork.
Many anti-fatigue lenses can be prescribed with a very low addition power to teenagers in high school or young adults in college.
With slightly more near power, anti-fatigue lenses can be prescribed for young professionals in their twenties and thirties who have a computer, tablet, or mobile device complaints. While these individuals would not benefit from a full bifocal, the additional power can relieve these specific issues without sacrificing distance clarity.
The highest-power anti-fatigue lenses can be a great transition into wearing progressive lenses for individuals in their early forties. As these individuals approach the point of needing a reading to add power, the anti-fatigue lens can help until a true add is required and train them on how to use the progressive style glasses.
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