Single Vision Lenses

Woman wearing glasses with clear single vision lenses

What Are Single Vision Lenses?

Single vision lenses are the most commonly used type of prescription eyeglass lenses. These lenses correct vision at one primary viewing distance.

They can correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. Eye doctors may prescribe single vision lenses for distance, computer use, or reading, depending on the patient’s visual needs.

Therefore, “single vision” does not mean that the lenses are only for distance. Your optometrist can tailor them for distance, computer use, or reading based on your eye examination and daily visual needs.

However, not all single vision lenses are the same. You can choose the thickness, material, features, and protective coating based on your prescription, frame, lifestyle, and budget.

Explore our prescription lenses to compare available materials, coatings, and designs.

Is Your Prescription High and Are Your Lenses Too Thick?

If you have a high prescription, high-index materials can make your single vision lenses thinner, lighter, and more attractive within the frame. Eye care professionals often call these high-index or compressed lenses.

As a simple guide based on prescription strength, whether the prescription is plus or minus:

  • Standard 1.50: Often suits prescriptions from 0.00 to 3.00.

  • Thin 1.60: Often suits prescriptions from 3.25 to 4.00.

  • Super Thin 1.67: Often suits prescriptions from 4.25 to 6.00.

  • Ultra Thin 1.74: Often suits prescriptions from 6.25 and above.

High-index lenses can be up to approximately 40% thinner than some conventional lenses. However, these ranges and thickness differences serve as general guidelines rather than fixed rules for every prescription.

In addition, the final lens thickness depends on whether your prescription is plus or minus, the amount of astigmatism, the size and shape of the frame, and the position of your eyes inside it.

For this reason, we do not automatically recommend the highest index. We select the option that provides the best balance of thickness, weight, visual quality, appearance, and price.

Do You Spend Long Hours Using a Computer, Mobile Phone, or Tablet?

If you spend many hours each day using digital devices, two different options are available depending on your age, visual needs, and how you use your glasses.

Option One: Single Vision Lenses with Blue-Cut Protection

Standard single vision lenses can be combined with technology designed to filter a portion of the blue-violet light emitted by computers, mobile phones, tablets, and modern light sources.

These options are often called blue-cut lenses or blue-violet light-filtering lenses. International lens manufacturers such as ZEISS, Essilor, and Rodenstock offer different technologies for filtering blue-violet light.

This option maintains the standard single vision design for the required viewing distance while adding blue-violet light filtering. It does not provide additional support for near vision.

Option Two: Digital Lenses with Blue-Cut Protection

If your distance vision is clear but your eyes are becoming tired when switching repeatedly between distance vision, your mobile phone, and small text, digital lenses may be a better option.

Digital lenses are an advanced type of single vision lens:

  • Most of the lens is designed for clear distance vision.

  • The lower part provides a small amount of support for near and screen vision.

  • They help the eyes move more comfortably between distance vision, mobile phones, and computer screens.

  • They can also be combined with blue-violet light-filtering technology.

Digital lenses are often suitable for people between approximately 20 and 40 years old, depending on the lens manufacturer, design, and amount of near support required. Some Essilor options start from around age 20, while certain ZEISS options are generally recommended from around age 30.

Age alone does not determine whether you need digital lenses. Your prescription, screen use, visual symptoms, and required level of support must also be considered. After age 40, or when stronger reading support is needed, progressive lenses may become a more suitable option.

The difference between the two options is simple: standard single vision lenses with blue-cut protection provide blue-violet light filtering only. Digital lenses with blue-cut protection combine blue-violet light filtering with additional support for near and screen vision.

Do You Spend a Lot of Time Outdoors or in Bright Sunlight?

If you regularly move between indoor and outdoor environments, or spend a lot of time walking, driving, or enjoying outdoor activities, your single vision lenses can be made with light-adaptive technology.

These are known as photochromic lenses and are available through international technologies such as:

  • Transitions

  • ZEISS PhotoFusion X

Photochromic lenses remain clear indoors, darken when exposed to sunlight and ultraviolet light outdoors, and gradually return to clear when you go back inside.

If driving is one of your main concerns, tell us when selecting your lenses. A car windshield blocks much of the ultraviolet light that most photochromic lenses need to darken.

Certain light-adaptive lenses are designed to activate more effectively behind a car windshield. Alternatively, polarized prescription sunglasses may be more suitable for some drivers, depending on when and how often they drive.

Are the Glasses for a Child or a Rimless Frame?

If the glasses are for a child, or you have selected a rimless or semi-rimless frame, it is important to choose a strong lens material that can withstand impact, drilling, mounting, and everyday use.

Suitable materials may include:

  • Trivex

  • Polycarbonate

These materials offer high impact resistance and are commonly recommended for children’s glasses, sports eyewear, rimless frames, and semi-rimless frames.

They provide a higher level of safety and durability than conventional plastic lenses. However, no eyeglass lens should be described as completely unbreakable.

Do You Need Vision Correction but Think You Cannot Wear Sunglasses?

Having a prescription does not prevent you from wearing sunglasses. Single vision lenses can be made as prescription sunglasses, allowing you to enjoy clear vision and sun protection at the same time.

Available options include:

  • Tinted prescription sunglasses with UV protection.

  • Polarized prescription sunglasses with UV protection.

  • Solid or gradient lens colors.

  • High-index sun lenses for stronger prescriptions.

  • Different colors, mirror finishes, and styles to suit your frame and lifestyle.

UV protection helps protect the eyes from ultraviolet radiation. Polarization performs a different function by reducing reflected glare from roads, water, and other shiny surfaces.

UV protection and polarization are separate features, and both can be combined with your prescription in the same sunglass lenses.

Does Your Child’s Myopia Increase at Every Eye Examination?

If your child’s myopia continues to increase, it may be appropriate to assess whether myopia control or myopia management lenses could help.

These are not traditional single vision lenses. They are advanced prescription lens designs for children that correct myopia while incorporating additional optical zones designed to help slow its progression.

Available options from leading international manufacturers include:

  • Essilor Stellest

  • ZEISS MyoCare

Not every child with myopia requires myopia management lenses. The appropriate option should be selected after an eye examination and an assessment of the child’s age, prescription, and rate of myopia progression.

Which Protective Coating Is Right for You?

After selecting your single vision lenses, you can add a protective coating that suits your lifestyle and budget.

Protective coatings can be added to many of the options described above, including high-index lenses, blue-cut lenses, digital lenses, photochromic lenses, Trivex, and polycarbonate, depending on the combinations available from each manufacturer.

Different coating levels can provide varying degrees of:

  • Reduction of distracting reflections and glare, particularly while driving at night.

  • Improved lens transparency and visual clarity.

  • A clearer view of your eyes behind the lenses.

  • Increased resistance to everyday scratches.

  • Easier lens cleaning.

  • Water repellence.

  • Resistance to oils, fingerprints, and smudges.

  • Reduced dust accumulation.

  • Better resistance to heat-related stress, depending on the lens and coating.

  • UV protection, depending on the lens material and protection system used.

ZEISS offers several coatings within its DuraVision range, including:

  • DuraVision Gold UV

  • DuraVision Platinum UV

  • DuraVision Silver UV

  • DuraVision Chrome UV

Essilor also offers several coatings within its Crizal range, including:

  • Crizal Easy Pro

  • Crizal Rock

  • Crizal Sapphire HR

  • Crizal Prevencia

  • Crizal Drive

Other international manufacturers, including Rodenstock, also provide different protective coating options.

These coatings differ in more than their name or residual reflection color. They offer different levels of transparency, reflection reduction, scratch resistance, water and dust repellence, smudge resistance, and ease of cleaning. Certain coatings also provide specialized features, such as blue-violet light filtering or reflection reduction for driving.

Product names, features, and available combinations may vary according to the manufacturer, lens material, and local market.

The most expensive coating is not necessary for every person. The right choice is the coating that matches how you use your glasses and the budget you have selected.

No lens is completely scratch-proof. Protective coatings increase scratch resistance, but they cannot prevent every scratch.

How Do We Choose the Right Single Vision Lenses for You?

Choosing the right lenses does not begin with the highest price or highest refractive index. It begins with understanding your needs and answering a few simple questions:

  • Do you need your lenses for distance, computer use, or reading?

  • Is your prescription high?

  • Do you spend long hours using digital devices?

  • Do you need blue-violet light filtering only, or do you also need near support?

  • Do you spend a lot of time outdoors or driving?

  • Are the glasses for a child or a rimless frame?

  • Does your child need an assessment for myopia management?

  • Do you need prescription sunglasses?

  • Which protective coating best suits your lifestyle and budget?

At Eye 2 Eye Optical in Sweifieh, Amman, we begin with an eye examination and a clear understanding of your daily visual needs.

We then help you select the appropriate lens design, refractive index, material, additional features, and protective coating.

Our goal is to provide clear, comfortable, and practical single vision lenses while ensuring that you pay for the features you genuinely need.