Glasses That Increase Distance Vision

Glasses that increase distance vision correct myopia, or near-sightedness, a common eye disorder. Distance glasses are unifocal, meaning they enhance distance vision only and do not correct problems with far-sightedness (trouble seeing objects close-up). While magnifying glasses are available from drug stores, distance glasses are not. To get distance glasses, you need to visit an optometrist for a prescription specific to your particular needs.

Thin Lenses

• These days technology (particularly in plastics) has resulted in much thinner and lighter lenses, even for people who need strong prescriptions to correct severely impaired distance vision. This has revolutionized glasses wearing for many and has resulted in a booming industry of stylish and designer frames. Distance glasses double as fashion accessories and many who need distance vision glasses own several pairs and mix and match with their outfits to create different looks.

Eye Protection

• In addition to correcting vision, modern glasses also protect your eyes with U.V. shields, anti-glare layers and plastic lenses that will not shatter. Graduated lenses darken in the sun, so you only need one pair of distance glasses, instead of one pair with clear lenses and one pair with darkened lenses. Distance vision glasses that also protect your eyes keep eyes healthier longer and prevent worsening vision over the long-term.

Fall Prevention

• Giving distance-only glasses to the elderly who wear multifocal glasses, greatly reduces incidence of falls, according to a study in the "British Medical Journal." When the elderly wear multifocal glasses while walking around, they may become disoriented or dizzy from the optical defects in graduated lenses. For those who are already struggling with balance, or who have weakness on one side, this kind of visual disturbance often results in dangerous falls that can be life threatening.