Placing a Varifocal Order

1. Choosing eyewear for a varifocal (Progressive) Prescription Lenses

1.1 Select your eyewear. Click'glasses' or 'Sunglasses' dependent on your requirement on the bar at the top of the website and then click on the category of eyewear you require.  You can refine your search by clicking on any of the'Shop By:' criterion. We have an extensive search facility to to enable you to select the right frame and lens for your needs. Any frame with the'+ Prescription' above the product image will take a prescription. Then just click on the frame of your choice.

 For varifocals it is better to select a frame that has lenses with more vertical height so you have an increased range of near, intermediate and distance vision. 

1.2. Select the colour and lens option. Some frames will have multiple options. Where it states'Choose Other Colours'  just below the product image use the slider bar and select the option you require. Then click on the'Add to Basket' icon with the'Add Prescription' highlighted.

1.3. Follow the steps to order your prescription lenses and'Add prescription'. The following guide will help you during the selection process.

 

1.3.1 What type of lens do you require?

 

Select 'Varifocal' and choose one of the following options by deciding what you need your varifocasl for.

General Varifocal lenses

These are the most common varifocal lenses on the market. They offer balanced progression from near, intermediate and distance vision. Ideal for the office and everyday wear.

Distance Vision - Wide and distortion free far vision zone. Range - To infinity

Intermediate Vision - Power profiles specifically designed for todays modern lifestyles and the frequent use of digital devices. Range 50-70cm

Near Vision - Designed to minimise head tilts for a comfortable reading prescription - Range 30-50cm

Peripheral Vision - Medium vision across the height of the lens.

Active Varifocal lenses

These lenses are designed for dynamic sports and active lifestyles. They provide a larger un-interrupted distance viewing area with a smaller intermediate zone designed specifically for sport such as seeing detail in-front of a bike or the ground in-front while running and also a near vision optimised for viewing sports instruments such as a bike speedometer, maps or your watch while running. Don't worry, they will also allow you to read the menu comfortably when stopping for a coffer break!

Distance Vision - Wide and distortion free far vision zone with moderate increase of power below the fitting point, providing clear and stable vision above and below the horizon. Ideal for dynamic sports in which rapid and sharp movements would otherwise cause distorted vision and affect performance. Range - To infinity

Intermediate Vision - Corridor designed to ensure optimal vision of the Safety Zone from 1 to 5m area in front of the athlete, critical for sports which must be monitored continually  in order to plan then next move and identify obstacles along the way. Range 2-5m

Near Vision - Dynamic location of near vision zone for a clear and comfortable view of a watch, GPS and other sports gadgets. Range 30-50cm

Peripheral Vision - Expanded peripheral vision, specifically designed for large frames.

Occupational Varifocal Lenses

Around 70% of office workers complain of neck or back pain. Sitting correctly can help, but wearing the wrong glasses may still result in unnatural head movements and straining to see the computer screen or pages of text. Ordinary reading glasses offer insufficient width and depth of vision as can be seen below.

1. Wearing reading lenses - (No intermediate vision). Wearers lean in towards the screen to see clearly, creating unnecessary strain on the neck and back.2. General purpose progressive lenses - (Narrow intermediate vision located below the eye level). Wearers lift their heads to view screen, causing strained neck and shoulder muscles.3. Desk/Office lenses - (wide, ergonomically positioned near and intermediate vision). Wearers maintain natural posture for complete comfort all day long.

The lenses below are designed to correct these limitations. Optimised to provide the most useful vision for a working environment, they have a wider field of vision at the range you use the most - near and intermediate distances. We offer two types of varifocal:

1. For desk use.

The ideal choice for extensive computer work as it provides wide depth of vision at near and intermediate distances. They are not intended for use beyond the desk.

Distance Vision - None.

Intermediate Vision - Offers the largest intermediate viewing area compared to general varifocal lenses.

Near Vision - Offers a larger near viewing area compared to general varifocal lenses.

2. For office use.

Effective office lens that provides a neutral switch from the computer screen to the immediate office environment. Provides sharp distance vision to enable you to speak to customers or colleagues at the other side of your desk without having to change your glasses but also provide crystal clear vision on the screen and desk surface.

Distance Vision - Will enable you to see up to 4m across the office enabling you to use them indoors similar to general varifocals.

Intermediate Vision - Offers a larger intermediate viewing area than general varifocal lenses.

Near Vision - Offers a larger near viewing area than general varifocal lenses.

1.3.2 What type of lens material do you require?

In summary, the lens index (i.e. 1.50 index, 1.60 index etc), is the refractive index of the lens material you choose. The bigger the number, the more denser is the material. This translates into thinner and lighter lenses. We have provided a table below to provide an overview to the suggested index based on your prescription sphere strength.

If you require a prescription for industrial safety workwear, sports safety glasses or for wearing sunglasses for impact sports you will need to select either the 1.59 index polycarbonate options or the 1.53 Trivex option. Click on the link for more information on different lens index and materials available.

Guide to selecting the lens index for your prescription:

1.3.3 What quality of lens do you require?

For each type of varifocal lens, we offer three levels of quality and for a number of ranges, where highlighted a branded option to meet your needs and requirements. Below we have summarised the difference.

Good/Premium Lenses

Using the best of conventional lens technology, or entry level digital technology, these are high quality varifocal lenses that provide uninterrupted distance vision with smooth transition increasing power for intermediate and close up.

Better/Performance Lenses

These are high definition (HD) lenses use the latest free-form technology. They use a digital design process that gives lens designers the ability to reduce lens aberrations even more than they can using conventional lens design and processing techniques with the Premium option above. Lighter and thinner than standard lenses they provide exceptional night/low light vision reducing glare and halo effects from car headlights. They also offer exceptional contrast perception sharpening vision and improved colour rendition providing brighter and more intense colours. This is particularly important for varifocals and highly curved lenses as it ensures they provide the best vision across the whole curvature of the lens avoiding optical distortions that can occur in the periphery area of vision.

Best/High Performance Lenses

These are some of the latest lens designs on the market today. They offer all the advantages of the performance lenses above but are optimised in such a way that they provides a wider distance, intermediate and near area.

Branded Varifocals for sports sunglasses

Many branded suppliers have their own lenses such as Oakley's'Prism', Adidas'LST' and Julbo's'Zebra' lenses. If you have chosen one of the brands below for your sunglasses you will have the option to choose brand specific prescription lenses.