Multifocaal vs. unifocaal
There seem to be many different types of lenses, but in general, this difference can be reduced to multifocal or single vision. Multifocal lenses incorporate multiple strengths and therefore correct vision at multiple distances, while single vision lenses only correct vision for either near or far distances and do nothing for the distances in between. If you also know that varifocal, multifocal, varifocus, and progressive lenses are all names for one and the same type of product, then there are a lot fewer questions left unanswered. However, there are still different types of multifocal lenses, which will be discussed in more detail in the next paragraph.
What are multifocal lenses?
Multifocal lenses are ground to multiple strengths, allowing you to use them as both reading glasses and regular glasses. The predecessor to these lenses is bifocal lenses: in these glasses, the reading section is clearly recognizable by the ground surface. This surface allows you to read well, while the rest of the glasses are for 'normal' vision. Technology has now advanced further and the transition between strengths is gradual, allowing you to see clearly in the distance through the top of the lens and read through the bottom.
The advantages and disadvantages
Because the glass is ground to multiple strengths, you will often have to get used to looking through the glass in a certain way to see something clearly. This can be a little uncomfortable at first, but you will get used to it faster than you think. The lenses also sometimes distort slightly at the sides, although nowadays there are very good multifocal lenses available that minimize this distortion. The advantages: you no longer need to switch between reading glasses and normal glasses, and once you are used to them, you will have sharp vision at all distances without having to strain.
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