Single vision, bifocal, trifocal, and progressives, oh my! When it comes to prescription lenses, there’s a lot to decode. Read on to learn more about single-vision lenses and how to know if you’ve been prescribed one. (Learn more about multifocal lenses.)
What is a single-vision lens?
Single-vision lenses are glasses lenses that correct vision for a single distance, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness. They are the most common type of lens prescribed by eye care professionals. Single-vision lenses will have a uniform prescription across the entire lens. They can correct various vision problems, including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.
How do I know if my prescription is for single-vision lenses?
One way to tell is that the ADD values on your prescription are left blank. This indicates a consistent magnification across the eyeglass lens. Your prescription may also list something like “SV” or “SV distance.” This means the prescription is for “single vision” or “single vision distance.”
The “Add” column on your prescription will be blank if you need single-vision lenses. Your prescription may also contain a note saying “SV” or “SV distance.”
If you need any help deciphering your prescription or determining which type of lens to order, contact our Member Experience Team. We’re happy to help!