Occupational lenses can be used alongside regular glasses for specific activities that demand extra visual attention

Whilst varifocal lenses are an ideal solution for people who need different prescriptions for distance vision and reading vision, and standard reading lenses are suitable for those who need help for near vision only, there are many people who find that they have limitations.

For those whose visual tasks are predominantly based around near or intermediate work, standard varifocals, or progressive lenses, may not be the perfect answer and ordinary reading lenses may not give enough depth of vision whilst bifocals will miss the intermediate area altogether.


Thank you for the great service I received from everyone at Osmond Drake Penarth recently. When I had my regular eye test I explained my need for glasses while playing guitar or reading a book and also for computer screen use, my prescription was formed with that in mind and the result was very pleasing I now have what I think are referred to as office glasses.  On a previous visit, I had a pair of glasses with varifocal lenses for normal use they are remarkable for the way that any objects in my field of view are sharply focused. Having two pairs of glasses suits my needs and I would recommend anyone needing eyewear to visit Osmond Drake. 

– J FERRISSEY

An example of this is a varifocal wearer who does not enjoy sufficient field of vision for near vision or intermediate tasks when they are looking at a computer screen, or a reading glasses wearer who does not have enough depth of vision for the computer screen. This would also apply to many other tasks and activities: typically cooks, decorators, those reading sheet music and those who simply want to play cards or board games who can often be frustrated by the limitations of their lenses.

If any of these problems affect you then occupational lenses could be the answer, these lenses are the simple and inexpensive alternative to varifocals and offer a big benefit over varifocals and reading glasses. They have a large reading area in the lower portion of the lens and the intermediate prescription in the top part, with no visible line or segment. You can now easily see both close up and at an intermediate distance with no problem.

Here at Osmond Drake Opticians we can talk through your options and recommend the right spectacle lens to suit your needs, give us a call today and arrange an appointment with one of our Dispensing Opticians.