Needing a bifocal is a benchmark in life much like one’s high school diploma, first kiss, first pay check, or first child. Life is never really the same after a benchmark.
For those of us who have slipped into that “bifocal age,” life has changed. The name for this new benchmark is “presbyopia,” and I might add: it has nothing to do with “farsightedness.”
Conventionally lined bifocals are initiated by a grinding generation process, followed by finishing, and finally polishing, ending 20 to 30 minutes of production with lenses accurate to + 0.125D (diopters).
No-line bifocals, progressive adds, or PAs, as they are better known, make presbyopia much less painful, but just what does “digital” have to do with PAs? Digital lenses, like high octane (premium) fuel is just unnecessary in many minds. After all most vehicles run on regular gasoline and premium fuel is of no advantage.
Why does anyone need premium lenses? That’s a valid question. Many don’t, but your need is not so similar to the question of regular vs. premium fuel. It’s more akin to asking if a conventional bicycle or a modern easy-shift multigeared bicycle is a better choice. Most of us can do quite well with a conventional single speed, but many of us could benefit from an easy-shift five speed. If you are trying to save money, a conventional bicycle will suffice for most purposes.
Glasses are quite similar. If money is the greater issue, a standard line bifocal is adequate. A conventionally produced PA will serve us somewhat better. The most advanced digital “freeform” progressive will open up the intermediate computer aspect of your vision, provide a smoother transition from distance to intermediate to near while making the near reading area almost wall to wall.
Eventually all lenses will be digital because when all the research and development is paid for digital production of any kind of lens can happen in 10 to 12 minutes, is less labor intensive and 10 times more accurate (w/in 0.01D). Of course, by then, digital will no longer be a premium process and costs will reflect it, but you can bet your laptop that there will be something else out there that is “premium.”
Photo credit: Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay