Distance Glasses: Types, Benefits and Usage

What are Distance Glasses?

Distance glasses, known also as single-vision distance glasses, are a type of prescription glasses that help to correct refractive errors that blur a person's distance vision. This could include myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. Distance glasses are prescription glasses that most commonly help to correct myopia or short-sightedness. Myopia is a type of refractive error affecting distance vision. Distance glasses will have a prescription over the lens to correct this vision issue and allow a person to see distant objects clearly when wearing the glasses.

What Vision Issues Do Distance Glasses Fix?

The vision issue that distance glasses fix is typically myopia or nearsightedness, as well as hyperopia and astigmatism. Myopia refers to a refractive error in which the eyeball or cornea is mishappened, meaning light cannot reflect onto the retina as it should. This then causes distance vision to be blurry. Distance glasses, also known as single vision distance glasses, work by redirecting the light onto the retina correctly, helping to reduce blurry distance vision whilst the glasses are on.

How do Long-Distance Glasses Differ from Reading Glasses?

Long-distance glasses differ from reading glasses as they are required for different eye conditions. Long-distance glasses are designed for people with myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism, to help improve their ability to see faraway objects. Reading glasses, however, would be suited for those with hyperopia or presbyopia which is when the eyes struggle to see objects up close. Make sure your prescription is accurate, particularly if you feel your vision has changed recently as these glasses can help with particular eye conditions.

Is it Bad to Wear Distance Glasses for Reading?

Wearing distance glasses for reading, or close-up tasks won't necessarily be bad or have detrimental effects on your eyes. They may not be effective in helping you see clearly at a near distance. Distance glasses will generally have a prescription in the lens to help correct conditions like myopia and provide clear vision for far objects. In some cases, distance glasses can be worn all the time and provide some benefits for near tasks. Ask your optometrist if you are unsure whether to use your glasses for distance or reading.

What are Non-prescription Reading Glasses?

Non-prescription reading glasses are glasses that do not have a prescription from an optometrist to help correct a refractive error. However, these glasses may still have a level of general magnification to assist someone with reading, or other tasks carried out at a near distance.

What are the Different Types of Distance Glasses?

There are several different lens variations when it comes to distance glasses, with types including single-vision distance glasses, bifocal glasses, progressive lenses, polarised sunglasses with a distance prescription, photochromic glasses and high index lenses. The different types of distance glasses are listed below.

• Single-vision distance glasses: Single vision distance glasses are glasses with one single prescription in the lens.
• Bifocal glasses: Bifocal glasses refer to glasses with two prescriptions in the lens.
• Progressive lenses: Progressive lenses have multiple prescriptions within one lens.
• Polarised sunglasses with a distance prescription: Polarised sunglasses with a distance prescription help to correct distance vision whilst also providing UV protection from the sun. 
• Photochromic glasses: Photochromic glasses refer to glasses with lenses that can change from clear to a sunglasses tint when exposed to UV rays from the sun.
• High index lenses: High index lenses refer to light, thin lenses designed for people with strong or high prescriptions.

What are the Benefits of Distance Glasses?

The benefit of distance glasses, also known as single vision distance glasses, is that they will help correct refractive errors that cause blurry distance vision. Additional benefits of distance glasses include reduced eye strain, as the prescription lessens how hard the eye has to work to see with a refractive error.