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What blurry vision usually means, and how the main lens options compare, in plain language.
Blurry vision is very common, and in most cases it’s easy to correct. Here’s a simple guide to the four most common vision problems we see. Whatever your eyes need, regular eye tests are the best way to keep them healthy and seeing clearly.
The pictures below are simple illustrations, not a diagnosis. Only an eye test can tell you what your eyes need.
You see close up clearly, but things far away look blurry.
You might struggle to read road signs, see the board at school or recognise faces across a room. Myopia is not a disease. It's easily corrected with spectacles or contact lenses.
Close-up things are harder to focus on than things far away.
Your eyes have to work extra hard to focus on nearby objects, which can cause tired eyes or headaches when reading or using a phone. As we get older, distance vision can also start to blur. Spectacles or contact lenses correct it easily.
Vision looks smudged or slightly stretched, at any distance.
Astigmatism happens when the front of the eye is shaped more like a rugby ball than a soccer ball. Light focuses unevenly, so images look smeared or distorted. Each eye needs its correction at an exact angle, which we measure during your eye test. It's corrected with spectacles and, in many cases, with special contact lenses.
Reading gets harder as you get older, especially in poor light.
From around your 40s, the lens inside the eye becomes less flexible and struggles to focus up close. If you find yourself holding your phone or menu at arm's length, this is likely why. It's a normal part of ageing and is corrected with reading glasses, bifocals, multifocals or contact lenses.
The right lens depends on your prescription, your age and how you spend your day. Here’s how the main options compare.
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One strength across the whole lens.
Single vision lenses correct one distance, either far or near. They're the most common choice and ideal if you need glasses only for driving and TV, or only for reading. They come in a range of tints, coatings and materials, including thinner, lighter lenses for stronger prescriptions.
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Two strengths in one lens.
The top part of the lens is for seeing far away, and the bottom part is for reading. A visible line separates the two. Bifocals are a practical, affordable option if you need help with both distance and reading. They're less suited to computer work, because the middle distance (arm's length) falls on the dividing line.
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Clear vision at every distance, with no visible line.
Also called progressive lenses, multifocals change strength gradually from top to bottom: distance at the top, computer and middle in the middle, and reading at the bottom. You simply look through a different part of the lens as you shift your gaze. They look like ordinary single vision lenses, which many people prefer. Most people adjust to them within a few days.
Thin lenses worn directly on the eye.
Contact lenses are a great alternative or addition to spectacles, especially for sport, an active lifestyle or special occasions. Because they sit on your eye, they're medical devices and need to fit properly. We'll usually do a contact lens trial first to make sure they're comfortable, keep your eyes healthy and give you clear vision.
Add these to your lenses for extra comfort and protection. Ask us which ones make sense for you.
Less glare, clearer vision.
A normal lens reflects some of the light that hits it. An anti-reflection (AR) coating reduces these reflections, letting up to 8% more light through to your eyes. The result is sharper vision, less glare from headlights at night and from screens, and lenses that look almost invisible, so people see your eyes, not reflections.
Clear indoors, sunglasses outdoors.
Also called adaptive or photochromic lenses, these are clear lenses that darken automatically in sunlight and lighten again indoors. They block harmful UV rays, which helps protect the long-term health of your eyes, and save you from carrying a separate pair of sunglasses. They're available in most lens designs and materials.
Easier on the eyes during screen time.
A blue filter coating reflects part of the blue-violet light given off by phones, computers and LED lighting. Many people who spend long hours on screens find it cuts glare and makes their eyes feel more comfortable. The lenses look almost clear, with a faint blue sheen on the surface, and the filter can be added to most lens types.
That’s what the eye test is for. We’ll recommend the right option based on your prescription and how you use your eyes day to day.
