Lenticular lenses (LL) are a variety of lens used to make eyeglasses. They’re not common, but they can be of great assistance when you need them.
Eyeglass manufacturers produce these lenses to correct severe farsightedness. farsightedness impairment whereby patients experience difficulty seeing things up close.
It’s also possible to create a lenticular lens that corrects severe nearsightedness. This post is designed to help you make informed decision when choosing your best lenses. We will also show you the best lenses to buy.
What exactly are lenticular lenses?
A lenticular lens is a corrective lens type that requires a very high power to correct your vision.
High power refers to a very thick and heavy eyeglass. To ensure lens are less thick and difficult to wear, eyeglass manufacturers created this lens.
You can think of a this lens as two different lenses stacked on each other. An eyeglass manufacturer often makes a standard-size lens, then places a higher-powered lens over a smaller area. When you look through that particular spot, the lens will correct your vision.
This may sound familiar. That’s because lenticular lenses are the basis for bifocals as well as trifocals.
Bifocals are special lenses that allow you to see more clearly when you look down to read. When you look up, you can see items that are farther away more clearly.
Types of lenticular lenses
There are two types. They include:
#1. Contact lenses, and
#2. eyeglasses
For eyeglass varieties, they’re available as glass or plastic.
An optics manufacturer can manipulate a lens so it helps you see things more clearly farther away or up close.
Sometimes, a doctor will suggest lenticular eyeglass lenses for a young person who experiences mild to moderate visual impairment at an early age.
In this case, your eye doctor will use a two-fold approach:
Prescribe a contact lens that enhances your vision.
Provide glasses with lenticular lenses that act like a telescope to help you see clearer farther away.
This approach isn’t usually used for older individuals because their eyes may have problems accommodating the lens, which could lead to falls and dizziness.
Lens manufacturers also use lenticular lenses for other vision-related applications. Layers or strategic placements of lenticular lenses can create a 3-D effect on the viewer’s perception.
As a result, optics manufacturers use LL to create 3-D television screen displays and headsets for virtual reality systems.
Lenticular printing or layering can also allow you to see an advertisement as a 3-D effect. Typically, you’ll need to stand or sit at a certain angle to appreciate the full effect.
Benefits
Lenticular lenses are very beneficial to people who have cataracts. When the lens in your eye becomes cloudy and affects your vision. An ophthalmologist can usually correct your vision by implanting a new lens.
But there may be some circumstances where your eye doctor can’t implant a new lens into your eye, or the implant isn’t available. In these instances, a LL may help.
Disadvantages
Lenticular lenses can help correct your vision, but the use of LL requires learning.
Learning to use lenticular lenses
To use these lenses, you have to:
#1. Train yourself on where to look on your lens to enhance your vision.
#2. Teach yourself where not to look when you want to see things farther away (or vice versa).
These lenses must also be carefully made.
The person fitting the glasses must take into account the angles where the glasses will sit relative to your eye or eyes. If these measurements are off even by several millimeters, the glasses could cause you to experience disruptively blurry vision.
You may also find that you have issues seeing well when your glasses slip down your face or are slightly askew.
Evaluate your glasses carefully
There may be cases where you must return to where you purchased your glasses for a follow-up exam. This include where your new prescription with lenticular lenses doesn’t work well within 1 or 2 weeks.
Lenticular lenses may be used where other options, such as traditional cataract or vision correction surgery cannot be procured. In this case, you need to endeavor to adjust to wearing lenticular lenses.
A standard bifocal lens can cost about $105, according to Consumer Reports. But those made to correct cataracts or other visual concerns may be costlier.
Cost factors for lenticular lenses
The factors which influences the cost of lenticular lenses include:
#1. how they’re manufactured
#2. what you need them for (reading, everyday use, etc.)
#3. whether your vision insurance covers these lenses
Lenticular lenses Vs progressive lenses
Progressive lenses are an alternative to lenticular lens. Some people may find progressive lenses more comfortable to wear. This is especially true because lenticular lenses require some learning before use.
Always ask your eye doctor if they recommend one lens over the other. This should be with due consideration to factors such as your vision and budget.
