What Are Single Vision Lenses?

Single vision lenses are the most common type of prescription lenses used in everyday glasses, designed to correct vision at just one distance. If you’re researching what are single vision lenses and whether they are right for your prescription, this guide breaks everything down clearly. You can also explore our own single vision lenses page for more detail, or learn how to keep your favourite frames and reglaze glasses if you simply need fresh prescription lenses.

What Are Single Vision Lenses?

Single vision lenses are prescription lenses designed to correct vision at one distance only. The entire lens contains one prescription power, which is why they are commonly recommended for people who are short sighted, long sighted, or need general vision correction for everyday tasks.

They differ from multifocal lenses and progressive lenses because they do not divide the lens surface into multiple zones. Instead, the whole lens provides clear and consistent focus, making them easy to adapt to and comfortable to wear single vision lenses for the first time.

Because they are simple in design and suitable for many refractive errors, single vision lenses are often the first type of prescription lenses people receive after an eye test.

How Do Single Vision Lenses Work?

To understand how single vision lenses correct vision problems, it helps to look at why refractive errors occur. When the eye does not bend light correctly, the result is blurry vision, either up close, far away, or both. This happens because the light does not focus properly on the retina.

Single vision lenses correct this by altering the way light enters the eye:

Concave lens

Used for short sighted prescriptions, helping distant objects appear clearer and sharper.

Convex lens

Used for long sighted prescriptions, making it easier to focus on near objects and close up tasks.

Cylindrical adjustment

For people needing to correct astigmatism, the lens is shaped to address an irregularly shaped cornea or lens.

With single vision lenses, the entire lens carries a single prescription power, ensuring clarity across the whole lens. This is why adaptation time is very short compared to progressive or bifocal lenses.

Who Should Wear Single Vision Lenses?

Single vision glasses are ideal for people who need vision correction at just one distance. They are commonly recommended for:

Short sighted wearers

People with short sighted vision struggle to see far away. Distance glasses with single vision lenses help improve distance vision and reduce blurry vision, especially while driving or watching TV.

Long sighted wearers

Long sighted individuals experience difficulty with near vision. Single vision lenses help improve close vision, making reading, cooking, or computer work clearer and more comfortable.

People with astigmatism

Astigmatism is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. Single vision lenses correct astigmatism by ensuring the light focuses evenly, improving sharpness at one distance.

Everyday single distance use

If you only need glasses for one distance — such as driving, reading, or computer work — single vision is normally the best option recommended by your eye doctor.

Distance Vision, Intermediate Vision, and Near Vision

When you wear single vision lenses, the prescription is customised based on the distance you need help with:

Distance vision

These are single vision distance lenses designed for seeing faraway objects clearly. They help correct blurry vision when looking at signs, people, or screens from a distance.

Intermediate vision

Often used for computer work or tasks at arm’s length. People who don’t require reading glasses or distance glasses sometimes choose a single vision prescription for office work.

Near vision

Reading glasses are a type of single vision lens designed specifically for close vision tasks such as reading books, sewing, or checking labels.

Single vision lenses correct one distance clearly and do not support two or more distances — unlike bifocals or varifocal lenses.

Single Vision Lenses vs Bifocal, Multifocal, and Progressive Lenses

Many people compare single vision lenses with other lens types, especially when prescriptions change later in life.

Bifocal lenses

These contain two areas of vision correction for near and distance. Unlike bifocals, single vision lenses focus on just one distance.

Progressive lenses

These help wearers transition between different distances without visible lines, offering distance, intermediate, and near vision all in one lens.

Multifocal lenses

Designed to correct more than one distance, usually for those who need help with different distances throughout the day.

Single vision lenses are typically easier to adapt to and cheaper than progressive lenses, which can be beneficial when budgets or comfort are priorities.

What Are the Benefits of Single Vision Lenses?

Single vision lenses offer several advantages for everyday use:

Clear focus across the whole lens

Because the whole lens is one prescription strength, vision is consistent from edge to edge.

Quick adaptation

There are no multiple vision zones like in progressive lenses, so wearers adjust quickly.

Suitable for many prescriptions

Whether you need distance glasses, reading glasses, or correction for astigmatism, single vision lenses correct a wide range of refractive errors.

Ideal for general daily use

Driving, reading, computer work, studying, and watching TV are all supported with a single vision prescription.

Lower cost

The single vision lenses cost less than multifocal options, making them accessible for multiple pairs or backups.

Lens Materials for Single Vision Glasses

There are several lens material choices available, depending on your lifestyle and prescription:

Standard plastic lenses

Affordable, lightweight, and suitable for most prescriptions.

Thin and light lenses

Recommended for higher prescriptions because they reduce lens thickness and improve comfort.

Polycarbonate lenses

Shatter resistant and ideal for children, sports use, or safety-conscious wearers.

High-index lenses

Designed for higher prescriptions to reduce lens thickness and improve appearance.

Your lens material choice also affects lens thickness and comfort. A higher refractive index means the lens can be made thinner.

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Lens Add Ons and Coatings

Several optional add ons improve clarity, durability, and comfort:

Anti reflective coating

Reduces glare from screens, headlights, and reflective surfaces, improving comfortable vision.

Scratch resistant coating

Protects against everyday wear and tear.

UV protection

Helps protect the eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays.

These coatings can be added to most prescription lenses and help increase longevity.

How Do You Know If You Need Single Vision Lenses?

An eye test is the best way to determine whether you require single vision lenses. During your appointment, your optometrist will check for refractive errors, blurred vision, and your ability to focus at different distances.

Common signs you might need single vision glasses include:

• Difficulty focusing at one distance
• Blurry vision when reading or driving
• Eye strain during computer work
• Vision blurry at arm’s length
• Headaches from prolonged close up tasks

Your eye doctor will recommend the correct prescription power based on your needs.

Single Vision Distance vs Reading Glasses

Distance lenses improve long range clarity. Reading glasses are for close vision and near objects. If your vision problems only appear at one distance, single vision lenses are usually the simplest and most effective solution.

Some people choose multiple pairs — such as one pair for reading and one pair for driving — especially if they prefer not to wear multifocal lenses.

Can Single Vision Lenses Correct Astigmatism?

Yes. Single vision lenses correct astigmatism by adjusting the lens shape to compensate for the irregular shape of the eye. Whether you have mild or moderate astigmatism, the entire lens can be adjusted for precise correction at one distance.

How Much Do Single Vision Lenses Cost?

The single vision lenses cost varies depending on:

• Lens material
• Prescription strength
• Whether thin and light lenses are needed
• Optional coatings
• Whether you are buying new frames or choosing to reglaze glasses

Even with lens add ons, single vision lenses remain the most affordable type of prescription lenses.

Why Choose Single Vision Lenses?

People choose single vision lenses for their simplicity, clarity, and comfort. They are a versatile solution for vision correction and suitable for school, work, driving, reading, or general everyday tasks.

They are also the easiest type of prescription to understand, making them ideal for first-time wearers or those who prefer a straightforward lens option.

Why Buy Your Single Vision Lenses from Glasses Outlet?

Glasses Outlet offers high-quality prescription lenses at competitive prices, making it easy to order new glasses or refresh existing frames. Reasons customers choose us include:

• Clear, simple explanations of lens options
• Affordable pricing across all lens types
• Quick turnaround for reglazing
• Wide range of lens add ons
• Reliable customer service
• UK-based fulfilment and support

Whether you’re buying new single vision glasses or upgrading a single pair with new prescription lenses, our team ensures you receive accurate, comfortable vision correction that suits your lifestyle.

Final Thoughts

Single vision lenses offer an excellent balance of clarity, comfort, and affordability. They correct one distance effectively, making them ideal for everyday use and a wide range of refractive errors. Whether you need distance vision correction, help reading small text, or improved intermediate vision for computer work, single vision lenses remain the most widely used option in the UK.

If you're ready to explore your options, you can visit our guide on single vision lenses or choose to reglaze glasses to keep your current frames while updating your prescription.