Single-Vision Lenses


A single-vision lens is made to a single prescription to correct a particular eyesight problem. 

Glasses for Myopia

Single-vision concave lenses are used to correct short sightedness (myopia) when faraway images are reasonably in focus and close images appear blurred.  Concave lenses are generally thinner in the centre than they are at the edge.

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Glasses for Hyperopia

Single-vision convex lenses are used to correct long sightedness (hyperopia) when faraway images appear blurred while close images are easily focused.  Convex lenses are usually thinner at the edge than they are at the centre. 

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The two animations show that normally, objects are focused clearly on the back of the eye. For people who are short-sighted, close objects do not appear sharp. For people who are long-sighted, distant objects do not appear sharp. Lenses to correct this are thicker at the edges than in the middle. This can make the glasses thick, heavy and unsightly. One way to reduce this effect is to reduce the size of the lenses. Choosing smaller frames will help the look and weight of the glasses. Another way is to use 'High Refractive' lenses which are thinner. This will further reduce the thickness and the weight. The third way is to use Aspheric lenses which reduce the thickness further still. Anti-reflective coatings also have a positive effect.

Glasses for Astigmatism

Single vision lenses can be use to correct astigmatism when eyes look in two different directions at right angles to each other.  A cylindrical power is applied to correct this.

Glasses for Presbyopia

Single vision lenses can be use to correct presbyopia for those aged over 40 years.  People with presbyopia find it increasingly difficult to read, as the lens of the eye becomes less flexible and they cannot focus on nearby objects.

Your prescription and lens material will determine the curvature of the lens, its thickness and weight.  The lens material will also determine the size and shape of the frame you choose. 

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