Reading Sunglasses vs. Bifocal Glasses

Buying sunglasses has never been a harder proposition for customers. In addition to the variety of frames and lens styles available, there are also options to purchase non-corrective, reading, and bifocal lenses as well. That being said, how do you choose which sunglasses are the best fit for you?

To find the perfect pair of sunglasses, it is best to first evaluate your lifestyle to determine how you are going to use them. Then, you can pick which lens type is the best choice for your needs.

The majority of sunglasses are sold without prescription as non-corrective lenses. These are sold either with or without polarization. Polarized lenses offer superior glare protection, but also negatively affects your vision when looking at digital screens. For people with no vision problems, buying non-corrective sunglasses is the way to go. In addition, people with vision problems may consider buying non-corrective sunglasses if they partake in activities that don’t involve their myopia (nearsightedness) or presbyopia (farsightedness).

Reading sunglasses feature lenses that are fully magnified. Reading lenses fit best with individuals that need this additional magnification for outdoor activities, such as reading, sculpting, or gardening, but do not require eye correction otherwise.

Bifocal sunglasses mix non-corrective and reading lenses into one package. The top half of the lenses are non-corrective while the bottom half is magnified. These sunglasses are designed for people that wish to transition from viewing close and far objects. For instance, a person with presbyopia may desire bifocals when driving to view the road and their speedometer. The ADD portion in your prescription describes how much magnification is needed for the near-vision part of the lens.

In addition to the options listed above, Anytime Glasses offers progressive lenses for sunglasses. Progressives are a more modern type of multifocal lenses that combine distance, intermediate, and near-vision viewing areas seamlessly. This lens type has become more popular as there is no visible division between viewing areas, providing a more youthful look for wearers. Progressive sunglasses are best for individuals that need eye correction and are frequently outdoors, since progressives allow a level of versatility that is not offered with reading and bifocal lenses. It should be noted that progressive lenses take more time to acclimate compared to other lens types as the transition between the three viewing areas may initially be jarring for people.

In conclusion, the best sunglasses depend on your needs and how you plan on using them. If you have no vision problems or don’t require eye correction when going about your day outdoors, we recommend non-corrective sunglasses. If you are farsighted and partake in outdoor activities which primarily require focusing on nearby objects, you should consider purchasing reading sunglasses. For individuals that require switching between magnification and non-magnification while protecting their eyes from the sun, Anytime Glasses recommends bifocal lenses. If you spend most of your time outdoors and want superior eye vision for all viewing distances, you should consider buying progressive sunglasses.

Regardless of what type of sunglasses you wish to buy, Anytime Glasses offers a large variety of sunglasses that provide a tasteful blend of form and function. Click here to view our collection of trendy sunglasses that are guaranteed to complement your unique style.