When buying prescription glasses, one of the most common questions is: what type of lenses do I need? The answer depends on your prescription, your visual needs, and your lifestyle. At CristalesGafas, we help you understand the different types of prescription lenses available so you can make the best choice.
Understanding Your Prescription
Before choosing your lenses, it is important to understand your prescription. A prescription contains several values:
- Sphere (SPH): Corrects myopia (negative values) or hyperopia (positive values). Measured in dioptres.
- Cylinder (CYL) and Axis: Correct astigmatism. If these fields are empty or zero, you have no astigmatism.
- Addition (ADD): Appears in people with presbyopia and indicates the extra power needed for near vision.
Types of Lenses According to Prescription
Single Vision Lenses
Single vision lenses correct a single distance — either distance or near vision. They are indicated for:
- Myopia (difficulty seeing far)
- Hyperopia (difficulty seeing near)
- Astigmatism
- Children and young people who have not yet developed presbyopia
Progressive Lenses
Progressive lenses correct distance, intermediate and near vision in a single lens, with no visible lines. They are indicated for people over 40-45 who have presbyopia combined with another refractive error.
Bifocal Lenses
Similar to progressives but with two clearly differentiated zones (distance and near) separated by a visible line. There is no intermediate correction.
Occupational Lenses
Optimised for intermediate and near vision. Ideal for office work or activities requiring sustained near vision effort.
Types of Lenses According to Material and Treatment
Refractive Index
The higher the prescription, the higher the index you should choose to get thinner lenses. At CristalesGafas we offer from index 1.50 to 1.74.
Coatings
- Anti-scratch: Included standard on all our lenses.
- Anti-reflective: Reduces reflections and improves visual clarity, especially at night.
- Blue light filter: Blocks harmful blue light from screens.
- UV protection: Blocks 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
How to Choose at CristalesGafas
At CristalesGafas, our team of registered optometrists analyses your prescription and recommends the most appropriate lens type for your needs and budget. Simply send us your prescription and we will guide you through the entire process — from choosing the lens type to the ideal refractive index and coatings for your lifestyle.