What are multifocal lenses?
Multifocal lenses (also called progressive lenses) combine three optical prescriptions in one lens – without any visible lines.
They allow you to see:
- At a far distance
- At an arm’s length distance, like working on a computer
- Reading and other close-up for activities
Do I need multifocal lenses?
Multifocal lenses are often more convenient if you wear one pair of glasses for reading and another pair for distance as these can be combined into one lens. The top of the lens is for distance vision, intermediate distance is in the middle of the lens and reading or near vision is towards the bottom of the lens.
Benefits of multifocal lenses
Multifocal lenses remove the need to swap glasses for different activities, allowing for an easier transition between tasks. This means if you are making dinner, you can view the ingredients while chopping, read the recipe on the tablet, and check the saucepan over at the stove without having to change your glasses to suit each task.
For single vision prescription wearers, multifocal lenses offer the convenience of not having to constantly remove or search for glasses when switching between reading and other tasks. This reduces the hassle of frequently swapping glasses to maintain clear vision.
Multifocal lens options
If you’ve ever noticed the need to move your head in different positions to make an object clearer, then you may be interested in a newer high performance multifocal lens.
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Varilux Comfort Max
Comfortable vision all day long
✅ Good choice for first timers
✅ Great value option
❌ Vision in reading area may be less comfortable
❌Your eyes may need to work harder when looking out to the side of the lenses -
Varilux Physio 3.0
High resolution vision with instant focus
✅ Wide field of view
✅ Smoother transition between vision zones for an active lifestyle
✅ Sharper details and better contrast even in low light -
Varilux X Track Fit
The ultimate wearing experience, built with AI technology and personalised vision for close up tasks
✅ Wider field of vision
✅ Easiest to adapt
✅ Instant clarity even when moving
✅ Instant sharpness at all distances
✅ Comfortable when using digital devices
✅ Personalised to your unique near vision behaviour and natural posture.
What can I expect when I switch to multifocal lenses?
Nowadays, thanks to advances in technology, it shouldn’t take too much time to adjust to new multifocal lenses.
Things may feel a little different when you first update your glasses. However, this is completely normal and most people adjust to the new lens usually within a couple of days. Just ensure you look straight ahead when viewing distance and move your eyes down the lens to read at close distance.
If after a few weeks you are still having difficulty adjusting to your new lenses, don’t hesitate to come back to Health Partners Optical, we’ll review the fitting and figure out what the problem is.
Tips for wearing multifocal lenses
- Wear your new multifocal lenses all day to adjust to the new areas of vision – put your old glasses away while you adjust to the new lenses
- Keep your chin up and lower your eyes to the bottom of the lens when looking at an object close up
- Point your nose in the direction you want to look, this will ensure your eyes adjust to the right area of the lens
- Your eyes should follow where you nose is pointing to. This may not be required as much with higher performing multifocal lenses
If you’re interested in trying multifocal lenses, chat to our friendly team in store.
^Eye tests are bulk-billed through Medicare and subject to eligibility and Medicare conditions.
The information contained here is of a general nature and does not take into account your personal medical situation. The information is not a substitute for independent professional medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or used for therapeutic purposes. Should you require specific medical information, please seek advice from your healthcare practitioner. Health Partners does not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information provided. While we have prepared the information carefully, we can’t guarantee that it is accurate, complete or up-to-date. And while we may mention goods or services provided by others, we aren’t specifically endorsing them and can’t accept responsibility for them.
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Health Partners is committed to providing quality and affordable health care, and we value our members and our obligation to protect your privacy. As part of our responsibility in protecting your privacy, from time to time we review our policies to ensure we are meeting our obligations. We have recently made some updates to our Privacy Policy. Please click here to view the Health Partners Privacy Policy.
© Copyright Health Partners. 2025 All Rights Reserved.
Health Partners is committed to providing quality and affordable health care, and we value our members and our obligation to protect your privacy. As part of our responsibility in protecting your privacy, from time to time we review our policies to ensure we are meeting our obligations. We have recently made some updates to our Privacy Policy. Please click here to view the Health Partners Privacy Policy.