What are Lenticular Lenses?
Lenticular lenses are the type of corrective lenses that are used for making eyeglasses. They are used when high power is required to correct your vision (1).
They are used by the eyeglass manufacturers to correct farsightedness (a condition in which a person has difficulty in seeing things that are present near them). Minus lenticular lenses are used for rectifying severe nearsightedness.
A high power would require a very thick lens that may be hard to wear. Here comes the use of a lenticular lens. It can be thought of as two lenses placed one above the other. The manufacturer makes a standard size lens and places a higher power lens over it on a smaller area. This way when you look through a spot, the lens can correct the vision.
Types of Lenticular Lenses
The Lenticular lens can be availed in the form of contact lenses as well as eyeglasses. In eyeglass variety, it is available as glass and plastic.
The manufacturer can manipulate a lenticular lens in a way that it helps in seeing things far and near clearly.
Sometimes, lenticular lenses are also suggested to a young person with mild to moderate visual impairment at an early age. Here the doctor uses a two-fold approach:
- To enhance vision prescribe a contact lens
- Prescribe a lenticular lens to help see things far away, clearly
This approach is not used for older people as they may have a problem in accommodating the lens that could lead to falls and dizziness.
Lenticular lenses are also used for other vision-related applications such as (2,3):
- Optic manufacturers use lenticular lenses to create 3-D television screens and displays
- Lenticular printing and layering can help view an advertisement as a 3-D effect
Other Benefits of Lenticular Lenses
Lenticular lenses can also be used in cases of cataracts. It happens when the lens in the eyes gets cloudy and impairs vision. The lens can be implanted by an ophthalmologist to correct the vision.
Sometimes, a new lens cannot be implanted or implants are not available. In these instances, lenticular lenses can come into use.
Disadvantages of a Lenticular Lens
Lenticular lenses help correct vision but one has to learn, how to use them.
You have to train yourself on where to look at the lens to enhance vision. Also, you should know where to look when you want to see things near or far away.
These lenses shouldbe made very carefully. If the measurements are not correct even by several millimeters, the glasses can cause disruptively blurry vision.
There may be an issue seeing well if the glass slips down your face.
If new to the lenticular lens and you find it not working well for 1-2 weeks, return the glasses to from where you have purchased them, for a follow-up examination.
Lenticular Lens Vs Progressive Lens
Progressive lenses are used as an alternative to a lenticular lens. Some people find them comfortable to wear.
Both lenticular and progressive lens differ from each other in the following ways:
Definition: Lenticular lens has two different areas to modify vision on the glasses lens.The progressive lens gradually changes the lens prescription strength to allow the eye to adjust.
Appearance: Lenticular lens appears as separated by lines on the glasses lens, while the progressive lens does not have any distinct line.
Disadvantages: Some people report dizziness, eye tiredness, and headaches after using a lenticular lens. A progressive lens can cause blurred vision on movement.
Cost: Lenticular lenses are less expensive than the progressive lens.
Lenticularlenses can help see better and are also used to create 3D effects. Bifocal is a common example of a lenticular lens. Sometimes they are needed because other options, such as traditional cataracts or vision correction surgery are not working well for you. You need to adapt yourself to wearing these lenses for better vision.
If you experience changes in vision consult your doctor for the best opinion on the type of lens to be used to correct it.
