Johnstone M. Kim, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist and a practicing physician at Midwest Retina in Dublin, Ohio.

Shereen Lehman, MS, is a healthcare journalist and fact checker. She has co-authored two books for the popular Dummies Series (as Shereen Jegtvig).

Progressive lenses, or no-line bifocals, contain three prescription strengths that are blended at each transition point so that the eyes can easily change between them. This differs from traditional bifocals or trifocals, which have two or three strengths, respectively, that abruptly change in each lens.

Progressive lenses are helpful for near-sighted people who go on to discover that they not only need continued help seeing things that are far away, but that they now need help seeing things that are close-up as well. Called presbyopia, this often comes with age and makes it harder to read small print.

In addition to the vision benefits of progressive lenses, many prefer them simply for aesthetic reasons. While traditional bifocals have a visible line across the center of the lens (trifocals have two), progressive lenses look like regular lenses.

This article discusses five different kinds of progressive lenses that are available and any challenges you may have adapting to them. Use this information to have a discussion with your vision care provider about what is best for you.

Standard progressive lenses will work for most people. They will also fit many budgets without breaking them.

The price is higher than regular flat-top bifocal or trifocal lenses. Still, they are quite affordable. Depending on the brand name, these lenses will range in price from $175 to $250 for the base lenses.

Standard progressive lenses require a certain frame size so there is enough vertical height to provide—and allow for a smooth transition between—all three strengths.

If you choose a frame that's too short, the most useful power for reading may be lost during the manufacturing process.

Short corridor progressive lenses are designed to fit into smaller frames. They offer an option that reflects both fashion and function.

Because of their size, it takes a skilled optician to fit them properly.

They are slightly more expensive than standard progressive lenses and range from $250 to $400.

The "corridor" for reading vision is not very wide with these glasses. If you look down to read, make sure you keep your eyes centered and not out to the sides.

Computer progressive lenses are also known as "office lenses" or "near variable focus lenses." They are meant for use at short ranges and designed to provide clear vision at around 16 inches to 6 feet.

If you're at a computer more than four hours per day, these lenses are ideal. They help reduce visual fatigue, or computer vision syndrome.

Computer progressive lenses are great for people working at near and intermediate distances. These lenses also allow for better posture, making it easier to hold your head in a more natural position. The price is generally in the $150 to $250 range.

Painters, artists, dentists, librarians, mechanics, hair dressers, and editors are just a few of the people who may want to try computer progressive lenses.

Premium progressive lenses are often referred to as "free-form design" or "wavefront technology." Premium lenses provide a much wider, distortion-free reading area. Vision is often clearer because these lenses are usually 100% digitally surfaced or ground.

These lenses are designed by computer, with small changes to allow both eyes to work together. They often allow for the fact that you have a dominant eye.

This means both your prescription and your frame are better customized for you. Instead of compacting a lens design, as with short corridor progressive lenses, they allow for all ranges of power to fit nicely into any frame.

As expected, these lenses do cost more than standard or entry-level progressive lenses. The prices will range from $600 to $800.

Ground-view progressive lenses are good for active people who like outdoor activities such as golf. These lenses have patented technology that greatly reduces any lens distortions. They give you a “ground view” that is meant to be quite close to natural vision.

These lenses range from $350 to $550.

For example, golfers can look down past the reading part of the lens to another zone. It provides clear vision at an intermediate length, to better see where the ball is on the ground. A regular progressive lens may cause that area to be blurry and not in focus.

People sometimes confuse "transition" lenses with progressive lenses. Transitions is simply a brand of a photochromatic lens. These lenses darken on their own when they are exposed to ultraviolet light. They provide shade for the eyes. When you walk back indoors, they quickly change to clear again.

Photochromatic lenses are generally anywhere from $80 to $150 above the regular price for a progressive lens.

People who are ready for bifocals due to age-related changes in vision may want to try progressive lenses. If so, they have a few more options than they once did. The available lens styles offer "better optics" in terms of style, at the same time that they address specific vision needs.

If you need a smaller frame but don't want to lose the lens fields that help with reading, you can try short-corridor progressive lenses. If it's in your budget, you may opt for premium lenses that give you a custom fit. Or you may go with a "ground view" lens that works best for your active lifestyle. Check with your eye care provider to find out which style of progressive lenses is best suited to your needs.

There are five types: standard, short-corridor, computer, premium, and ground view.

Maybe, if you're opting for standard progressive lenses. If you want a smaller eyeglass frame, you may be able to have them custom-fit with short-corridor progressive lenses. They are designed to provide optimal vision with small frames.

Aside from switching back and forth between glasses with different prescriptions or opting for regular bifocal or trifocal lenses, there are a few options to consider:

Alvarez TL, Kim EH, Granger-Donetti B. Adaptation to progressive additive lenses: Potential factors to consider. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):2529. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-02851-5

Han SC, Graham AD, Lin MC. Clinical assessment of a customized free-form progressive add lens spectacle. Optom Vis Sci. 2011;88(2):234-43. doi:10.1097/OPX.0b013e31820846ac

Salerno LC, Tiveron MC Jr, Alió JL. Multifocal intraocular lenses: Types, outcomes, complications and how to solve them. Taiwan J Ophthalmol. 2017;7(4):179-184. doi:10.4103/tjo.tjo_19_17

Ganesh S, Brar S, Gautam M, et al. Visual and refractive outcomes following laser blended vision using non-linear aspheric micro-monovision. J Refract Surg. 2020;36(5):300-307. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20200407-02

By Troy Bedinghaus, OD Troy L. Bedinghaus, OD, board-certified optometric physician, owns Lakewood Family Eye Care in Florida. He is an active member of the American Optometric Association.

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