In this age of computers, many workers are spending anywhere from four to eight hours a day staring at their computer screens. Progressive lenses have three areas of focus with the midrange located in the central portion of the lens. This requires the wearer to lift his head up slightly to view the computer at intermediate range, causing eye and neck strain. The traditional bifocal does not have an intermediate range and is generally not appropriate for computer viewing.
A fairly recent addition to lens options (one that is not widely known by the general public) is the near variable focus lens. These lenses are different from traditional progressives in that they have a dedicated computer (intermediate) viewing zone across the top of the lens and the reading at the bottom. There is a very small distance correction at the very top of the lens so a person can tip his head down to look across the room. With the variable focus lens, the wearer can look straight ahead at the monitor, alleviating neck and eye strain. With the addition of glare-free, antireflective lenses and a filter to block harmful blue wavelengths of light, the worker will have indispensable occupational glasses.”
Author: Jannie Shapiro, Licensed Optician