How to Choose the Best Eyeglasses to Fit Your Lifestyle

If you’re considering getting a new pair of eyeglasses, whether it’s your first time with visual aids, your prescription has changed, or you’re ready for a new look, you’ve probably spent a lot of time focusing on your frame choice. While frames can be an important factor in determining the fit and aesthetic of your eyeglasses, lenses are equally important in finding the right pair for you.

They offer various benefits to different lifestyles and can improve the functionality as well as the clarity of your vision. Keep reading to learn more about how to choose the best eyeglasses to fit your lifestyle.

How Do I Know if I Need Eyeglasses?

Patients with refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism are typically offered eyeglasses as a first-line treatment to improve their vision. These common vision conditions can be diagnosed at a routine eye exam with your eye doctor.

They will have you look into a device called a phoropter and switch between different focusing powers to find the prescription that works best for you. You may also need glasses if you have presbyopia or age-related farsightedness.

Sometimes, eye conditions like cataracts can also be temporarily improved with eyeglasses.

What Type of Lens is Best for Me?

Because there are so many lens choices, it can sometimes be hard to know which is right for your eyeglasses. Mid Ohio Eye offers a wide variety of different lens options, including:

Progressive Lenses

If you live an active lifestyle, progressive lenses may be right for you. They provide patients with a continuous range of vision, seamlessly transitioning from near to intermediate to far.

Instead of needing multiple pairs of glasses for different activities, you can read, work on your computer, and play sports with clear vision when you choose progressive lenses. They also do not have visible lines on the surface of the lens, providing an aesthetic advantage over traditional bifocals.

Mid Ohio Eye offers both the Shamir Autograph and the VSP Unity digital progressive designs.

Transition Lenses

Transition lenses are great for patients who spend a lot of time outside for work or enjoy activities like fishing, camping, or hiking. When they’re exposed to sunlight, they darken and protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.

Once you’re inside, they lighten, so you don’t need to switch between sunglasses and regular eyeglasses.

High Index Lenses

Patients who have higher prescriptions may find it challenging to wear glasses because higher-powered lenses tend to be very thick. However, high-index lenses offer a thinner, more comfortable alternative if you have severe refractive errors and can help improve your vision without the need for thick lenses.

Polarized Lenses

If you spend a lot of time outside and want to reduce your eye strain, you may benefit from polarized lenses. They can help filter out harsh light that causes glare to increase your comfort and safety while in sunny environments.

At Mid Ohio Eye, we offer single-vision and multi-focal polarized lenses.

Computer Lenses

Patients who work in front of a computer for extended periods of time should consider computer lenses like the Shamir lens offered at Mid Ohio Eye. Like progressive lenses, they transition between focusing powers seamlessly.

However, they are set for intermediate to near vision, giving you a wider range of vision while reading or working at a computer.

Non-Reflective Treatments

Non-reflective treatments can be applied to lenses to help reduce instances of halos and glare. These lens coatings are especially beneficial if you spend a lot of time on the computer or have early cataracts and are experiencing more visual disturbances from lights.

Mid Ohio Eye offers both Crizal and Unity non-reflective treatments. At your appointment, our optical team will help you find the best lens to fit your lifestyle, preferences, and vision needs.

Do you want to learn more about finding your perfect pair of eyeglasses? Schedule an appointment at Mid Ohio Eye in Columbus, OH, today!