# Multifocal lenses at Opticnet

One lens that carries distance, intermediate and reading vision, without the dividing line of a bifocal. What decides whether it works is not the lens itself but the measurement and the fitting.

## What a multifocal lens actually is
In a multifocal lens, also called a progressive lens, the power changes gradually from top to bottom: the upper part for distance, the middle for intermediate distances such as a computer screen, and the lower part for reading. The transition is continuous, so there is none of the horizontal line of the older bifocal.

The price of that continuity is that the zones are narrow. There is some distortion at the edge of each zone, which is normal in every multifocal lens from every maker. The more precise the measurement, the better the zones sit in front of the eyes and the less the distortion intrudes.

## Why the fitting matters more than the lens
Multifocals stand or fall on the fitting. The pupillary distance, the height at which the eye sits inside the frame and the angle at which the frame sits on the face all have to be measured, and the lens is then made to those numbers. Two millimetres of error in the height moves the reading zone to somewhere your eyes do not go when you look down.

So we measure in the frame you chose, after it has been adjusted on your face, rather than from generic numbers. The measurement is taken by a certified optometrist with a master's degree.

## Choosing a frame that suits a multifocal
A multifocal needs height. If the lens is too shallow the reading zone is cut off and there is simply no room left for it. Slim, elongated acetate frames and very small frames are exactly the cases worth checking for lens depth before ordering.

That does not mean giving up a frame you love. It means that when you try a frame here we will tell you straight away whether it works with a multifocal or whether a slightly deeper version of the same model is the better call.

## Strong prescriptions and wrapped frames
A strong prescription in a curved or wrapped frame calls for careful lens choice to avoid distortion and thick edges. It is often entirely possible, but not in every frame and not in every lens material. We will tell you honestly which frames will look good with your prescription and which will not, before anything is ordered.

## Adapting, and how long it takes
Most people adapt within a few days to a couple of weeks. Early on it helps to move your head rather than only your eyes, and to wear the glasses continuously rather than switching back and forth with another pair, which stretches the adaptation out.

## Lead times
Simple single-vision lenses are usually ready within a few working days. Multifocals and complex prescriptions usually take a little longer. When you order we give you a realistic estimate for your exact lenses rather than a general promise.

## Questions

### This is my first time with multifocals. What if I cannot adapt?

You are in good hands. We measure and fit carefully so the adaptation is as smooth as it can be, and if something does not feel right we put it right. You come back, we check the adjustment and the prescription, and we do not leave you alone with an expensive pair.

### Can I have a multifocal in any frame you carry?

In almost any of them, but not blindly. A multifocal needs enough depth for the reading zone to fit, so with shallow or very small frames we check the lens depth before ordering and tell you straight away whether the model works.

### Can I have multifocal sunglasses?

Yes. Most of the sunglasses we carry can be glazed with prescription lenses, multifocals included. The lead time depends on the complexity of the lens and on the model, and we will confirm whether it is possible and how long it will take once you have chosen a frame.

## Where

Opticnet, Hei Be'Iyar 58, Kikar HaMedina, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Phone +972-3-546-6180. Opening hours: Sun-Thu 10:30-18:00, Fri 10:00-13:00.