Buying new glasses isn't just about finding a frame you love. Choosing the right lenses can make an even bigger difference to your everyday comfort, whether you're driving to work, reading a book, spending hours on a laptop, or simply enjoying time outdoors.

If you've ever wondered what the difference is between single vision, varifocal, blue light or photochromic lenses, you're not alone. Here's a straightforward guide to the most common prescription options and how to choose the one that suits your lifestyle.

 

Now, the big question: What Will You Be Using Your Glasses For?

🚗  I need to see things far away → you need Distance lenses; perfect for driving, everyday wear and watching television

📚  I mainly struggle when reading → you need Reading lenses, designed for comfortable close-up vision

👀  I need both distance and reading without changing glasses → you need Varifocals

💻  I spend all day on screens → you need Blue Light, an extra support for modern digital lifestyles

📖  I don't have a prescription but need help reading books or menus → Ready Reader it is, simply choose your reading strength

😎  I love the frame but don't need a prescription → explore our Fashion lenses; including full tint, gradient, and polarised finish!

 

Keep reading as we take a closer look at each lens option, what it's designed for, and how to choose the one that's right for you.

 

🚗  Distance Lenses

Best for driving, everyday wear and seeing clearly in the distance

If you struggle to read road signs, recognise faces across a room or watch television comfortably, distance lenses are usually the right choice.

Most people choose single vision lenses, which provide one prescription across the entire lens. Next, choose how you'd like your lenses to behave:

1. Clear lenses. Perfect if you spend most of your time indoors or simply want everyday glasses.
2. Light Sensitive lenses. Also known as photochromic lenses, these remain clear indoors before automatically darkening outdoors. Ideal if you regularly move between indoor and outdoor environments.
3. Sunglasses lenses. If you spend lots of time outdoors, prescription sunglasses offer comfortable vision while protecting your eyes from bright sunlight. Choose from full tint, gradient or polarised lenses, each available in grey, brown or green.

Frames that work well with Distance lenses

Distance glasses are often worn every day, so versatility is key.

Think:

• classic rectangular acetates
• lightweight titanium
• timeless round metals

Example:

Oliver Peoples Arllett OV5620U

 

📚 Reading Glasses

Best for books, newspapers and menus at your favourite café

Reading glasses are designed specifically for close-up tasks.

Whether you're reading novels, checking menus or browsing your phone, dedicated reading lenses reduce the need to strain your eyes.

These are prescription reading glasses. If your optician has given you a prescription for near vision, Fashion Eyewear can fit that prescription into the frame you choose.

If you often read outdoors, Reading lenses can also be customised with Light Sensitive or prescription sunglass lenses, just like Distance lenses above.

Frames that work well with Reading lenses

Reading glasses are usually worn indoors for long periods, so comfort matters most.

Popular choices include:

• lightweight round frames
• thin metal glasses
• soft square acetates

Example:

 

👀 Varifocal Lenses

One pair of glasses for every distance

Rather than switching between reading and distance glasses, Varifocal lenses (also known as progressive lenses) combine multiple prescriptions into one lens, allowing you to see clearly at near, intermediate and distance ranges.

Unlike bifocals, varifocals have no visible lines, providing a smooth transition between different viewing distances. Varifocals are particularly popular among people aged 40 and over, when it becomes increasingly common to need support for both distance and near vision.

You can comfortably drive, work on a computer, read, shop, and watch television without changing glasses.

Choose how you'd like your Varifocal lenses to behave:

1. Clear lenses, or
2. Sunglasses lenses; from full tint, gradient or polarised lenses, each available in grey, brown or green.

Frames that work well with Varifocal lenses

Varifocals generally perform best with frames that have enough lens depth.

Look for:

• medium to large rectangular frames
• rounded square frames
• classic Panto shapes

Avoid extremely shallow or ultra-narrow fashion frames, as they leave less room for the different viewing zones.

Example:

Saint Laurent SL 818

 

💻 Blue Light Lenses

Built for modern life

Whether you're working, studying or relaxing with your favourite streaming series, most of us spend hours looking at digital screens.

Blue Light lenses are designed to reduce blue light exposure from digital devices and are available both with and without prescription correction. They're especially popular among office workers, students, gamers, and content creators.

At Fashion Eyewear, Blue Light filtering can be incorporated into prescription or non-prescription lenses, allowing you to enjoy added visual comfort whether you wear glasses for vision correction or simply for screen use.

Frames that work well with Blue Light lenses

Since these are often worn all day:

• lightweight titanium
• minimalist rectangles
• soft round metals
• thin acetate

Example:

Reykjavik Eyes Rosberg

 

📖 Ready Readers

Best for people without a prescription

Ready Readers are designed for people who simply need a little help seeing close-up while still having clear distance vision.

As we get older, it's perfectly normal for near vision to become less sharp. This natural, age-related change (known as presbyopia) typically begins in our 40s; making it more difficult to focus on books, menus, labels and mobile phones.

Compared to Reading lenses, Ready Readers are non-prescription, ready-made reading glasses. Simply choose the magnification strength that works best for you, such as +1.00, +1.50 or +2.00, without needing an individual prescription.

Great frame styles for Ready readers

Ready readers tend to be taken on and off throughout the day. Comfortable, lightweight frames are often the most practical.

Think:

• slim acetate
• lightweight metal
• compact round frames

Example:

Tom Ford TF5980-B (available in three colourways)

 

😎 Fashion Lenses

Love the frame, don't need a prescription?

You don't need vision correction to enjoy great eyewear.

Our Fashion lenses are available in:

1. Clear lenses. Ideal for everyday wear or simply showcasing your favourite frame with no tint or prescription.
2. Light Sensitive or photochromic lenses. Clear indoors before automatically darkens outdoors, making them ideal if you regularly move between indoor and outdoor environments.
3. Sunglasses lenses. Perfect if you spend lots of time outdoors. Choose from full tint, gradient or polarised lenses, each available in grey, brown or green.

Recommended frames?

Pretty much EVERYTHING at Fashion Eyewear! This is where your personality shines, whether you gravitate towards timeless classics, bold statement pieces or the latest designer silhouettes.

 

🤔 Quick Recap...

Which Lens Finish Should You Choose?

Here's a quick comparison.