Both bifocal and progressive (varifocal) lenses allow for prescriptions for distance and reading to be used in a single lens. While bifocals offer a reading segment (normally in a 'D' shape), progressives include the benefit of a no line lens offering a seamless progression from reading, to intermediate to distance, making them perfect for all day wear.
Distance, intermediate and near vision correction in a single pair of glasses.
While lens technology has progressed over the years, traditional (or conventional) progressive lenses offer 3 blended prescriptions correcting near, distance and inbetween vision, that's relatively easy to adapt to for new wearers.
However, as this is an older technology you'll find these lenses have medium levels of peripheral distortion and this may result in difficulty with adaptation when compared with a freeform progressive design.
As such, and due to negative points surrounding the traditional design, we no longer offer this lens. Instead, all our progressive lenses now offer superior freeform technology.
Using the latest in lens manufacturing technology, rear surface freeform lenses are digitally optimised for you and your prescription and choice of frame. This results in a greater field of clear vision (up to 50% greater than traditional varifocals) with minimal soft focus and peripheral distortion. Another added benefit is that these lenses are very easy to adapt to.
When you're trying progressive lenses for the first time or perhaps have an updated prescription, you may need a short period of time to feel fully comfortable with the lenses. This adaptation period can vary from just a few minutes, a few days, or up to 1 month. For quicker adaptation, we recommend choosing a rear surface freeform progressive lens.
To speed up the adaptation period, we recommend wearing your new glasses around the house or office initially trying not to return to your old prescripiton glasses. For driving, it's recommended that you only use your new progressive lenses once you feel completely comfortable with them.
We offer 3 progressive options, all with freeform technology.
IOT Basic series H40 Design Freeform Progressive Lens
Our Basic design is well-balanced between far and near fields. The technology used for calculating the surface of this basic progressive is Surface Power®. This technology guarantees that the measured power will be the same as the prescription.
A standard, well-balanced lens that delivers reliable performance in most scenarios. Its balanced power distribution provides broad near and distance viewing areas and a comfortable corridor - making it an economical choice for general use.
IOT Alpha series H45 Design Freeform Progressive Lens
Our Standard design is ideal for demanding wearers looking for a high quality, general purpose compensated progressive lens for everyday activities.
This lens design incorporates Digital Ray-Path technology for high precision, resulting in a smooth, natural vision experience across different viewing distances. Its hard design ensures stability and clarity, making it a solid upgrade for everyday wear.
IOT Alpha series H65 Design Freeform Progressive Lens
Our Premium design is ideal for experienced wearers looking for a high-quality, compensated progressive lens for demanding activities, such as driving and computer use.
Building on Digital Ray-Path technology, this lens design takes visual clarity to the next level, providing excellent distance vision with minimal side distortions. The extra-wide far visual zone and suitability for wraparound frames make it ideal for active lifestyles, offering outstanding performance and comfort in various daily tasks.
IOT Endless series Design Freeform Progressive Lens
Our Elite design offers a Free-form progressive lens with an advanced design for all wearers looking for the highest quality. Provides impeccable visual quality.
At the top of the range, this advanced lens design features the latest Digital Ray-Path 2 technology for exceptional precision and visual quality. The Steady design significantly reduces the “swim effect” caused by lateral distortions, ensuring superb stability and comfort—even in motion. It’s the best choice for digitally connected wearers and anyone seeking maximum visual comfort, innovation, and premium performance in a progressive lens.
Uniform sharp vision when looking in the distance through to objects up close. Varilux Liberty 3.0 lenses deliver a reliable vision all around.
The Path Optimizer technology
Optimised for each wearer, the Path Optimizer will generate, without any extra measurements, a precise and optimal viewing path from far to near. Each part of the viewing path will match the wearer's gaze direction.
Patient benefits
Lens protection with Crizal Easy Pro
Crizal Easy Pro coating provides protection against UV light and is anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, smudge-repellent, water-repellent and dust-repellent.
Comfortable, sharp vision from the moment you put them on. Varilux Comfort Max lenses give you peace of mind whenever you put on your glasses.
Increased Postural Flexibility
With Varilux® Comfort Max lenses, wearers can adopt 495 different body postures when looking at a computer or desktop screen vs 237 with the previous generation of Varilux® Comfort. This is why Varilux® Comfort Max lenses provide a wider range of natural postures to see a given vision target, providing more comfortable vision all day long.
Live Optics
Varilux Comfort Max lenses have been designed using Essilor's exclusive "Live Optics" Research & Development technique, which considers wearer physiology and optics, following which a full evaluation of the design through detailed wearer tests is conducted.
Flex Optim™ Technology
Flex Optim™ technology ensures that Varilux Comfort Max lenses are adjusted to each individual beyond their vision profile.
Varilux lenses deliver high-resolution vision whether you’re looking at something close up, far away or anything in between.
Wave 2.0 Technology
A design innovation which maps pupil size whilst utilising the latest wavefront technology.
In addition to analysing the entire beam of light, the lens calculation now integrates every possible pupil diameter.
Binocular Booster
80%* of presbyopes have a different prescription for left and right eyes. This visual gap requires our brains to work harder to merge retinal images. The new Binocular BoosterTM technology manages this difference along the meridian line, providing effortless vision through perfectly seamless transitions between near and distance vision zones.
Digital surfacing
Varilux Physio 3.0 are manufactured using digital surfacing, ensuring the lens's performance is optimised.
A progressive lens that truly understands your eyes. Powered by artificial intelligence, it predicts how you naturally look at things, giving you instant clarity - even in motion, and seamless transitions across all distances.
Eye movement isn’t strictly linear, but most progressive lenses assume it is, making rapid focus changes challenging. Varilux® XR Design™ lenses use over 1 million wearer data points to anticipate real-world eye movement, optimising your vision based on how you actually see - not just your prescription.
As a result, you’ll notice sharper, more fluid vision throughout the day, with effortless shifts from near to far. In fact, 79% of wearers report better overall vision than with their previous varifocals, and 95% adapt within the first day.
Your eyes can move over 100,000 times a day - Varilux® XR Design™ is designed to keep up, delivering the comfortable, dynamic vision modern life demands.
Distance glasses with near vision correction normally in a 'D' segment.
The shape of the reading segment in these lenses is in the shape of a 28mm diameter circle. Ideal for prescriptions with positive figures.
The reading segment in these lenses is in the shape of the letter D with its flat side uppermost. This segment has a flat top and a curved bottom. These are the most common type of bifocal, they are extremely successful as the reading area is very stable.
Similar to the D28 flat top bifocal with the reading segment in the shape of the letter D, however, these lenses have a larger reading segment (35mm) compared with the D28 design, they are extremely successful as the reading area is very stable.
This bifocal segment is in the shape of the letter C with a slight upward curve at the top of the segment. Less light is reflected from the segment top, therefore cosmetically more appealing than flat top segments.