Single vision
One power across the lens. Many single vision lenses are finished stock lenses; others are surfaced to order.
Laramy-KEyeglasses and Optical · Lens Designs
Lens Designs Single vision, progressive, office and digital.
The lens design decides where the patient sees clearly and how wide each zone is. Matching design to how the patient spends the day, especially after 40, is the single biggest driver of satisfaction with new glasses.
1959First commercial progressive lens (Varilux)
1Power zone in a single vision lens
3HOYA workspace designs: Space, Screen, Zoom
2Steps in lab production: surfacing, then finishing
How designs differ
Where the patient looks, and for how long
Every design trades field width at one distance for range at another. The right choice follows the patient’s working distances.
Lined multifocals
Bifocals and trifocals give distinct zones with visible lines; still useful for some patients and tasks.
Progressives
A gradual change in power from distance to near with no visible line, first commercialized as Varilux in 1959.
AOPWorkspace lenses
Designs that favor intermediate and near zones for desk and screen work, such as the ZEISS Office lens and HOYA iD Space.
ZEISS, HOYADesign families to know
Beyond the everyday progressive, several specialty designs solve specific patient complaints.
- Everyday progressive in three tiers
- A workspace lens for computer users
- Driving and sport options
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Premium progressives
Personalized designs such as Varilux XR series, ZEISS SmartLife, HOYA iD MyStyle 2 and Shamir Autograph Intelligence.
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Entry progressives
Value tiers such as Varilux Shift, ZEISS Light 2 and Shamir FirstPAL keep progressives within reach.
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Workspace and computer
ZEISS Office lens, HOYA iD Space, Screen and Zoom, and Shamir WorkSpace and Computer support long hours at a desk.
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Driving and sport
ZEISS DriveSafe and Shamir Driver Intelligence target driving; Shamir Golf and Attitude III cover sport and sun.
In the optical
Choosing the design with the patient
A short conversation about the day usually points to the right design faster than a feature list.
Ask about working distances
Screens, reading, driving and hobbies each favor different zone layouts.
Measure carefully
Freeform designs depend on accurate fitting heights and pupillary distances; poor measurements are a common source of progressive complaints.
Offer a second pair
A workspace lens for the office pairs naturally with an everyday progressive for patients at a screen all day.
Design reference
Designs and where they fit
| Single vision | One distance; stock finished or surfaced to order |
|---|---|
| Bifocal and trifocal | Distinct zones with visible lines |
| Progressive (PAL) | Distance to near without lines; premium, mid and entry tiers |
| Workspace / office | Intermediate and near emphasis for desk and screen work |
| Driving | Designs and coatings aimed at the driving task and headlight glare |
| Myopia control | Specialty designs for children; see the myopia control lens guide |
How a lens is made
- Surfacing grinds the back of a semi-finished blank to the prescription, then fines and polishes it.
- Freeform generators cut complex back-surface designs directly from the lens calculation.
- Coatings are applied after surfacing, before the lens is finished.
- Finishing (edging) cuts the lens to the frame shape and mounts it.
About the product names
Product examples are taken from each manufacturer’s US pages as of October 2026. Tiers and names change; confirm with your lab before quoting.
Common questions about lens designs
Why do some patients struggle with progressives?
Common causes include inaccurate fitting heights, frames too shallow for the design, or a design that does not match the patient’s main working distances.
Who should consider a workspace lens?
Patients who spend long hours at a computer or desk, especially presbyopes, often benefit from a dedicated intermediate and near design.
Are stock single vision lenses lower quality?
Not inherently. Finished stock lenses are ready to use for many prescriptions; surfacing is needed for powers or options that are not stocked.
What does freeform mean?
The back surface is generated point by point from the lens design and the prescription, rather than with a limited set of traditional tools.
Where do myopia control lenses fit?
They are a separate specialty category for children; see the myopia control spectacle lens guide.
References
- Laramy-K Optical. All about lens surfacing (stock, semi-finished and freeform). Laramy-K
- Association of Optometrists. Obituary: Bernard Maitenaz, inventor of Varilux. AOP
- Essilor Pro. Varilux resources. Essilor
- ZEISS Vision Care US. Progressive, Office and DriveSafe lenses. ZEISS
- HOYA Vision Care US. Product comparison guide. HOYA
- Shamir. Everyday, play and work lens categories. Shamir
Fit the design to the day
Ask about working distances, measure carefully and offer the second pair that solves the screen complaint.
Brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners and are listed for reference only. Confirm current designs with each manufacturer or your lab. Dispensing decisions rest with the eye care professional.