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Progressive readers vs bifocal readers
Two powers with a line, or power that changes smoothly down the lens.
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The short answer
Bifocal readers have two zones with a visible line between them: reading power in the lower part and a weaker power, often none, above it. Progressive readers change power gradually from the bottom of the lens to the top with no line, out to the horizon, with a narrow band for the middle distances where a screen sits. EV Readers™ are progressive reading glasses optimized for a range. EV6™ stops at 6 feet, so a screen sits in a wide corridor. We don’t make lined bifocals.
Side by side
How they compare
| Bifocal readers | Progressive readers | EV6 and EV20™ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powers | Two, with a line between | Change gradually, out to the horizon | Change gradually, out to 6 or 20 feet |
| A screen at arm’s length | Falls between the two powers | A narrow band in the middle | Inside a wide corridor |
| Line on the lens | Yes | No | No |
| From L&F | EVinfinity™ covers reading plus distance | EVinfinity | EV6 and EV20 |
For the computer
The middle distance
A computer screen sits about two to three feet away, farther than a book and closer than the room. A progressive reader passes through power for that distance in a narrow band. EV6 is made for exactly that span, from 18 inches to 6 feet, so the whole corridor is set for the desk.
If you want to keep distance clear through the top of the lens, the way a bifocal reader does, EVinfinity puts reading power at the bottom and clear distance at the top. It reaches all the way out, so it’s the one for driving and outdoors. At a desk, EV6’s wider corridor is the better fit.
Three ranges
Where each lens is sharp
EV6
18 inches to 6 feet
It covers your phone, keyboard, monitor and the person across the desk. It stops at six feet, so it has the widest corridor we make.
About EV6EV20
20 inches to 20 feet
It reaches from a book in your lap to the far side of the room, for moving around the house or the office.
About EV20EVinfinity
Near vision and all the way out
It has reading power at the bottom and clear distance through the top, for driving and time outdoors. Its corridor is narrower than EV6’s, closer to a standard progressive.
About EVinfinityBrowse styles
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Customer reviews
What customers say
“2nd Pair - Great Experience Both Times”
2nd pair - same great experience. Consistency matters.
“Great glasses…yet again”
This is my fourth pair from Lens and Frame and their EV Readers are amazing. Highly recommend this company.
“Outstanding Exlerience”
Even before I received my glasses, the customer service and communication were great. As someone who probably needs a prescription, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the effectiveness and usability of the L&F lenses. The…
Great looking and functional pair of glasses
“Perfect!”
These are something that you really don’t know how much you need, until you’re wearing them. They’re a game changer for me!
“customer service”
maybe one of the best customer focus companies around. very responsive, very polite, and great communication. i'd give 6 stars if i could
How it works
From your order to your desk
Pick a frame and a range
Each range comes in 35 frames from L&F, Ombraz, RAEN and STATE Optical.
Order your reading power
The power you’d use to read a book, from +1.00 to +2.75. Add your PD, which you can measure at home in about a minute.
We make them in about two weeks
We digitally surface, coat and edge the lenses in California. Shipping is free and takes about three days.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Are progressive readers better than bifocal readers?
For a screen, yes. A progressive reader has no line and passes through the middle distance in a narrow band, while a bifocal jumps from reading power to distance. EV6 holds that middle distance across a wide corridor.
Do you make bifocal reading glasses?
We don’t make lined bifocals. For reading plus distance, EVinfinity puts reading power at the bottom and clear distance at the top, without a line. If you need distance correction, progressive prescription eyeglasses start at $465.
What are no-line bifocal readers?
Usually another name for progressive readers: reading power at the bottom, changing smoothly toward the top, with no visible line.
Which is better at the computer, bifocals or progressives?
An EV Reader made for a desk. EV6 holds clear focus from 18 inches to 6 feet, covering your phone, keyboard and monitor.
Do I need a prescription?
No. You order a reading power from +1.00 to +2.75 in quarter steps, the same way you’d choose a pair of readers. If you already wear prescription glasses, EV6 and EV20 can be made to your prescription with the Custom Rx option.
Readers with Range
See what you need to see, however you spend your day.
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