Progressive lenses or single vision — the choice sounds technical, but your own prescription already answers it. The short version: single vision corrects one distance across the whole lens; progressive lenses shift smoothly from distance at the top to reading at the bottom, and usually enter the picture from the early-to-mid 40s. The tell is on your prescription itself — if it shows an ADD value, progressives are on the table; if not, single vision does the job, and single vision lenses are currently 50% off on every frame in our designer eyeglasses range.
Quick Answer: Comparison Table
| Single vision | Progressive | |
|---|---|---|
| What it corrects | One distance — far, near or screen | Far, intermediate and near in one lens |
| Who it's for | One prescription power; most wearers under ~45 | Prescriptions with an ADD value, typically 40+ |
| Visible line | None | None — the change is gradual |
| Adaptation | Immediate for most | A few days to a couple of weeks |
| Frame needs | Almost any frame | Enough vertical lens depth |
| Typical use | Driving, desk work, or dedicated readers | All-day wear switching between distances |
Know you need single vision? Order it at 50% off on any frame → shop eyeglasses
What Are Single Vision Lenses?
Distance, reading or computer
A single vision lens carries one prescription power across its entire surface. It corrects short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism for one distance — far for driving and daily life, or near for a dedicated reading or screen pair. It's the most common lens type in the world, and the one the current 50% offer applies to.
Who should choose them
If your prescription has no ADD value, single vision is your lens — in anything from a clean oval like the Emporio Armani EA1059 to a structured square like the Burberry BE2457U.
What Are Progressive Lenses?
Distance, intermediate and near zones
A progressive lens changes power gradually down its surface: distance vision at the top, screen-distance in the middle, reading at the bottom — with no visible line anywhere. One pair replaces the juggling act between everyday glasses and readers that starts when presbyopia (the age-related loss of near focus) arrives, usually in the early-to-mid 40s.
Adapting to progressives
Your brain needs time to learn where each zone lives. Most people adapt within a few days to a couple of weeks — the trick is wearing them consistently and pointing your nose at what you're reading: move your head, not just your eyes.
Disadvantages
Honesty matters here, because this is what competitor pages skip: progressives have softer zones at the lens edges, a reading area narrower than a dedicated reader, and that adaptation period. For most all-day wearers the trade is worth it; a frame with proper lens depth, like the Burberry BE2365 Alisson phantos or the Prada Linea Rossa PS 06RV pillow, makes the difference between progressives you love and progressives you fight.
Progressive vs Bifocal vs Reading Glasses
Bifocals: the visible line
Bifocals split the lens into two fixed zones — distance above, reading below — separated by a visible line, with no in-between zone for screens. Some people adapt to them faster than to progressives, but the line dates the look and the missing intermediate zone is a real gap in a screen-heavy day.
Readers: near only
Reading glasses are single vision lenses set for near work — simple, affordable, and at OptiVision they go into any designer frame rather than a pharmacy rack pair: browse designer reading glasses. Multifocal contact lenses also exist for presbyopia — that's a conversation for your optometrist.
Which Do You Need? A 3-Question Check
1. Does your prescription have an ADD value?
No ADD → single vision, decision made. An ADD (typically +0.75 to +3.00) means your eyes need extra help up close — read on.
2. Do you switch between distance and near all day?
Meetings, screens, phone, road — if your day moves constantly between distances, progressives earn their keep. If your near work is contained — an hour of reading at night — a dedicated pair of readers may be all you need.
3. Are you happy managing two pairs?
Some people genuinely prefer separate distance glasses and readers; it's cheaper and each pair is optically perfect for its job. If swapping annoys you, that's the progressive argument in one sentence. Whatever the answer, confirm the final call with your optometrist — then see how ordering prescription glasses online works in the UAE.
Choosing Frames for Progressive Lenses
Lens height matters
A progressive needs enough vertical lens depth to fit all three zones — go too shallow and the reading zone gets cropped. Your optician confirms the minimum height for the specific lens design, but the practical rule is simple: skip very slim, letterbox-shaped frames for your progressive pair.
Shapes that work
Phantos, pillow and generous rectangles are the natural progressive frames — the Prada Linea Rossa PS 51SV is a textbook example. Deeper cat-eyes work too: the Versace VE3353 and VE3367U carry enough depth, while very steep, shallow cat-eye cuts can pinch the reading zone. Browse men's eyeglasses and women's eyeglasses with lens depth in mind.
Where to Buy Single Vision and Progressive Glasses in the UAE
Every frame at OptiVision can be fitted with single vision, progressive, blue light, photochromic or reading lenses — chosen on the product page, with progressive pricing shown when you select your lenses. Single vision lenses are currently 50% off, prescriptions are reviewed by our optical team before lenses are made, and delivery covers Dubai and the UAE. Shop eyeglasses with prescription lenses
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, progressive or bifocal lenses?
Progressives give distance, intermediate and near vision with no visible line; bifocals have a line and no screen-distance zone, but adapt faster for some people.
What are the disadvantages of progressive lenses?
An adaptation period, softer side vision, a narrower reading zone and the need for a frame with enough lens height.
How do I know if I need progressive lenses?
If your prescription shows an ADD value and you switch between distance and near all day, progressives may suit you; confirm with your optometrist.
How long does it take to get used to progressive lenses?
Most people adapt within a few days to a couple of weeks; wear them consistently and move your head, not only your eyes.
Is the 50% offer valid on progressive lenses?
The current offer is 50% off single vision lenses. Progressive lens pricing is shown when you choose your lenses on the product page.
