Computer glasses, reading glasses, distance glasses: do you have several pairs of glasses for different situations? If so, you may be wondering if there is a way to combine them into one.
Enter Flex Focus Glasses. These glasses come with a tiny dial on the side so you can adjust your focus depending on the situation. But are they the best solution to the too-many-glasses problem?
At a Glance
- Flex Focus Glasses offer multiple strengths of magnification that can be adjusted with a dial.
- The glasses aren’t made for individual prescriptions and won’t meet everyone’s needs.
- For some people with mild vision correction needs, they may be a helpful backup or occasional-use pair.
- Those who need more significant vision correction will likely be better off with prescription progressives or simply switching between pairs.
What Are the Benefits of Flex Focus Glasses?
Flex Focus Glasses claim a number of benefits for wearers. The clearest benefit is the ability to adjust the focus for each situation, so you don’t have to carry multiple pairs of glasses.
The adjustable lenses let you change the focusing power for each eye, which may help if you need different levels of correction for near and distant vision. However, they won’t necessarily provide the same correction as prescription glasses.
Another benefit is that if you’re not switching pairs frequently, you may have fewer chances to drop and break your glasses. This is helpful if you tend to be forgetful or accident-prone.
The glasses also come with scratch-resistant and anti-reflective coatings, so they’re durable and easy to clean. The nose pads are adjustable, which is a plus if you often have nose pain from the bridge of your glasses.
In addition, the spring hinges help the temples adjust outward. This feature is nice if your head is a little wide or a less common shape. The diopter range for these glasses is also fairly broad, ranging from -6.00 to +3.00 diopters.
What Are the Downsides of These Glasses?
On the surface, Flex Focus Glasses sound great, but how well do they work for real users? If you browse Reddit, you’ll find that some customers are less enthusiastic than the reviewers on the product’s website.
Here are a few concerns buyers have raised about Flex Focus Glasses or other “adjustable focus” eyewear:
- Several buyers were unimpressed with the quality, with some complaining the lenses were blurry or that they couldn’t see even after making adjustments.
- A few buyers felt the Flex Focus Glasses were worthwhile, but only with upgraded lenses.
- Other users thought the Flex Focus Glasses were good as a backup pair or for occasional use. For example, they might work for someone who needs a little help when reading or using a computer, but doesn’t necessarily require glasses all the time.
- Many buyers have complaints about accuracy. Some recommended the glasses for people with mild vision correction needs, but felt they weren’t accurate enough for strong prescriptions.
- Others found that having to change the dial themselves every time they needed a different prescription was a hassle.
- Flex Focus Glasses simply don’t work for every prescription. They’re not custom-made for your vision issues, and they can’t correct for astigmatism or all distance needs. Many eyeglass wearers will require a more personalized pair of glasses.
What Are the Alternatives to Flex Focus Glasses?
If you have multiple corrective lens needs, your best bet is to talk to your eye doctor about your options. In many cases, they may recommend one of the following solutions:
Progressives
Unlike Flex Focus Glasses, progressives are custom-ground based on your specific prescriptions. Instead of using a dial, they change power gradually across the lens: distance at the top (good for driving or watching TV), computer range in the middle, and reading range near the bottom. They take some time to get used to, but eventually, you’ll be able to shift your eyes up or down for the situation without even thinking about it.
Bifocals
Bifocals have two zones, distance and near, without the computer range in the middle. Since most people today use computers at least occasionally, bifocals aren’t as widely used as they once were. They may still work if you can read your computer screen without help or spend very little time on one.
Dedicated Pairs for Different Uses
Everyone is a little different, and for some people, having two different pairs for different situations may actually be the best solution. This is more likely if you have one prescription you use most of the time, and only occasionally need the others.
Final Thoughts
Flex Focus Glasses may work for some people, but they’re not always a replacement for prescription glasses. If you’re considering getting a pair, think about what you’ll use them for and if they’ll meet your vision needs.
Your best bet is to talk to an eye care professional about options that are right for you.
FAQs
Can I get progressives in a contact lens?
Yes. When you search for contact lenses on EZContacts, scroll down to the “Contact lens type” box on the left. There are several options you can check, including “Bifocal/Multifocal” and “Multifocal/Toric.”
When you check the box for Bifocal/Multifocal, you can see there are about 25 products available to consider.
Can Flex Focus Glasses replace prescription glasses?
No, Flex Focus Glasses let you adjust the focusing power of the lenses, but they aren’t individually made to match a comprehensive prescription. They may not provide adequate correction for people with astigmatism or other specific vision needs. An eye doctor can help you determine whether adjustable-focus glasses are right for you.
Are Flex Focus glasses safe for driving?
Not necessarily. Even if you can adjust Flex Focus Glasses for distance vision, that doesn’t automatically make them safe for driving. You need to see clearly and meet your state’s vision requirements. If the glasses don’t give you clear, reliable distance vision, stick to a pair you know you can see well with behind the wheel.
