Bifocal reading glasses are reading instruments available for people who might be dealing with near and farsightedness. Unlike single focal reading glasses, these have two lenses on each glass in each pair.
When you have these glasses, you are getting four lenses in all. The top ones are useful when focusing on objects at far distances. An example is when you look at the traffic light across the street. The bottom lenses are necessary for focusing on nearby items like a book or a newspaper.
Many people immediately think of Benjamin Franklin as the creator of bifocal reading glasses. Several history reports show that Franklin created glasses for simultaneous use. Why was this so? Up until that time, many still needed to switch from one pair of glasses to another just to focus better. With just one pair of glasses, people can now see both near and far.
Can I start wearing them even if I am not yet a senior?
Yes, you can. While it’s a common belief that the lenses are only for the elderly, many opticians prescribe this option to people regardless of age. If you suffer from a combination of near and farsightedness, this is the appropriate solution. People with astigmatism may also get glasses to help improve their vision.
Can I still wear glasses during work?
It depends on the work and setting. If we are talking about clerical work, then wearing these will not be a problem. Your optician will recommend it too so you can see what you are doing.
The need will be different if we are talking about working in the construction or heavy industries. If you work as a construction welder, for instance, wearing the glasses can be unsafe since it might fall anytime. Losing the lenses in the middle of the work shift can cause you to commit mistakes. It can also lead to injury or even fatality if worse comes to worst.
What you might need instead are bifocal safety glasses. Bifocal safety glasses are the perfect pair to have if you are working in exposed environments. Many models offer snug fits so it stays in place while you work. Various frameworks also offer colored lenses for those who might need additional aid for certain conditions.
Where can I buy the glasses?
Bifocals are available in local shopping malls and on the Internet. Various malls are home to optical shops that sell a variety of lenses and frames. If you have no time to shop, order online instead. The Internet has various suppliers offering competitive prices for all types of needs.
Ordering through websites is easy especially if you already know the necessary lens grade. All it takes is a few clicks and you are done. Depending on the merchant, you might receive your order within a few days upon payment.
Of course, before ordering you need to inspect the site thoroughly. Check the shipping schedule so you know exactly when you will receive bifocal reading glasses or bifocal safety glasses. Inspect the end-user agreement to get an idea on how the supplier will handle your account and financial information.
Camillo Russo is a health and wellness writer who has worked on articles regarding bifocal reading glasses as well as bifocal safety glasses.