What Are Occupational Lenses?

These lenses are sometimes known as enhanced reading glasses. As the name suggests, they are mainly used for one's occupation which involves prolonged periods of alternating between near work and slightly further away within the room.

How Do Occupational Lenses Work?

Similar to progressive lenses, the power gradually changes from the lower portion of the lenses (for reading up-close) to the upper portion (for intermediate distances).

What is the difference between progressive lenses, occupational lenses and reading glasses?

Reading glasses offer a limited, fixed range of clear vision up close. If you are a current reading glasses wearer, you may notice that smaller text up close may be clearer than your computer screen which is at about arm's length distance. As the screen is further away, the reading glasses are 'over-powered' and thus you lose focus. You would probably have noticed people wearing their glasses very low and looking over the top of the glasses. They do it because the reading glasses makes everything far blurry.

Progressive lenses solves the issue by combining your distance and near prescriptions into a single lens. People can switch between distance, close-up work and anything in between without changing glasses.However, certain progressive lenses are not able to provide a wider viewing area for reading due to restrictions in lens designs. People who wear these progressive lenses for prolonged screen times may experience eye strain or even neck and shoulder discomfort due to unnatural posture.

Occupational lenses are in a great position to bridge this gap between progressive lenses and reading glasses. They are not only useful for people who spend long hours in front of a screen, but also professions like chefs, hairdressers and musicians can benefit from these lenses.