What is a multifocal lens?

A multifocal lens — also called a progressive or varifocal lens — is a single spectacle lens whose power changes gradually from your distance prescription at the top, through an intermediate zone for screens, to your reading prescription at the bottom. There is no visible line, so it looks like an ordinary lens.

Are multifocal and progressive lenses the same?

Yes. In Malaysia most people say multifocal lens or multifocal glasses; opticians often say progressive lens. Both mean one lens that changes power gradually from distance to reading with no visible line. A bifocal is the older kind, with two powers and a line between them.

What is the difference between progressive and bifocal lenses?

A bifocal has two powers — distance and reading — divided by a visible line, with nothing in between for screen distance. A progressive lens has no line and changes power gradually, so it also covers arm's-length distances such as a computer or a car dashboard.

How long does it take to get used to progressive lenses?

Most people settle in within a few days to two weeks of wearing them every day. Point your nose at what you want to see, and lower your eyes rather than your head to read. If they still feel wrong after two weeks, bring them back — fitting and adjustment are free for the life of the frame at My Vision.

Why can't I buy progressive lenses online?

Because the corridor of a progressive lens has to sit exactly in front of your pupils in the frame you chose. That needs measurements taken on your face, with the frame on — so at My Vision a progressive lens is fitted in store, not shipped.

How much do multifocal (progressive) lenses cost in Malaysia?

It depends on the lens design, the thickness (index) your prescription needs and the coatings you choose, so we quote after your eye test rather than publish a single price. The eye test itself is free and carries no obligation to buy.

Can I drive and use a computer with progressive lenses?

Yes. The top of the lens carries your distance power for driving, and the corridor covers the dashboard and a computer screen. If you spend most of the day at a desk, tell the optometrist — some lens designs give a wider intermediate zone for office work.

Will any frame work with progressive lenses?

Most do. The frame needs enough height to fit the distance zone, the corridor and the reading zone, so very shallow frames are not suitable. We check this with you when you choose the frame.

At what age do people need progressive lenses?

Usually from the early to mid 40s, when presbyopia — the natural loss of near focus — begins. It happens to everyone, including people who never needed glasses before.

Where can I get multifocal glasses near me in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor?

At any of the 9 My Vision group stores: Elite Pavilion (Bukit Bintang), 1 Utama (Bandar Utama), The Curve (Mutiara Damansara), Klang Parade, Centrepoint Bandar Utama, Ampang Point, Selayang Mall, Brem Mall (Kepong), AEON BiG Bandar Tun Hussein Onn (Cheras). The eye test is free and you can book it online.

Multifocal lenses · kanta multifokal

Multifocal progressive lenses: one lens, every distance

A multifocal lens — also called a progressive or varifocal lens — is a single spectacle lens that carries your distance, arm's-length and reading powers together, with no visible line. You look through the top to see far, the middle for a screen and the bottom to read. At My Vision it is measured to your eyes in store and cut to the frame you choose, starting with a free eye test at any of our 9 stores in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

Book a free eye test Find your store

Are you struggling with these?

Four problems. One pair.

Constantly switching between different pairs of glasses

Struggle to read menus and product labels while dining or shopping

Look older with visible lines on the lenses

Progressive lenses carry your distance, arm's length and reading powers in a single lens — with no visible line. These four are the usual signs of presbyopia: from the early to mid 40s the eye gradually loses its near focus. It happens to everyone, whether or not you wore glasses before.

How it works

Three powers. One surface.

Distance: The top of the lens carries your distance power — driving, signboards, the television.
Corridor: Through the middle the power changes gradually. This is where a computer screen or a car dashboard comes into focus.
Reading: The bottom carries your reading power — your phone, a menu, a book.
The soft edges: Either side of the corridor the power is still changing, so detail softens. You learn to turn your head instead of glancing sideways.

Fitted, not shipped

Measured, then cut.

The corridor of a progressive lens has to sit exactly in front of your pupils, in the frame you chose. That measurement is taken in store — which is why a progressive lens cannot be bought off a shelf, or ordered from a prescription alone.

01
A free eye test
Your distance prescription and your reading addition, with a registered optometrist.
02
Choose the frame
From any of our three houses. We check it has the height a progressive lens needs.
03
Measured on you
With the frame on your face we mark where each pupil sits, so the corridor lines up with your eyes.
04
Collect and adjust
We fit the finished pair and show you how to use each zone. Adjustments are free for the life of the frame.

Compared

Progressive, bifocal or single vision?

Feature	Single vision	Bifocal	Progressive
Powers in the lens	One	Two — distance and reading	Distance, arm's length and reading, blended
Visible line	No	Yes	No
Screen and arm's length	Only if made for it	Not covered	Covered by the corridor
Pairs to carry	Often two	One	One
Getting used to it	Immediate	Quick, but the jump at the line stays	A few days to two weeks
How it is fitted	Standard measurements	Height of the reading segment	Measured to each pupil, in the frame you chose

The first two weeks

Getting used to them

A new progressive lens asks your eyes to learn where each distance lives. Most people settle in within a few days to two weeks.

Wear them all day from the first day — going back to your old glasses slows things down.
Point your nose at what you want to see. Turn your head rather than glancing sideways through the soft edges.
To read, lower your eyes, not your head.
On stairs and kerbs, tuck your chin slightly so you look through the top of the lens.
Give it up to two weeks. Still not right? Come back in — adjustments are free for the life of the frame.

Questions we hear every day

Progressive lenses, answered

What is a multifocal lens?: A multifocal lens — also called a progressive or varifocal lens — is a single spectacle lens whose power changes gradually from your distance prescription at the top, through an intermediate zone for screens, to your reading prescription at the bottom. There is no visible line, so it looks like an ordinary lens.
Are multifocal and progressive lenses the same?: Yes. In Malaysia most people say multifocal lens or multifocal glasses; opticians often say progressive lens. Both mean one lens that changes power gradually from distance to reading with no visible line. A bifocal is the older kind, with two powers and a line between them.
What is the difference between progressive and bifocal lenses?: A bifocal has two powers — distance and reading — divided by a visible line, with nothing in between for screen distance. A progressive lens has no line and changes power gradually, so it also covers arm's-length distances such as a computer or a car dashboard.
How long does it take to get used to progressive lenses?: Most people settle in within a few days to two weeks of wearing them every day. Point your nose at what you want to see, and lower your eyes rather than your head to read. If they still feel wrong after two weeks, bring them back — fitting and adjustment are free for the life of the frame at My Vision.
Why can't I buy progressive lenses online?: Because the corridor of a progressive lens has to sit exactly in front of your pupils in the frame you chose. That needs measurements taken on your face, with the frame on — so at My Vision a progressive lens is fitted in store, not shipped.
How much do multifocal (progressive) lenses cost in Malaysia?: It depends on the lens design, the thickness (index) your prescription needs and the coatings you choose, so we quote after your eye test rather than publish a single price. The eye test itself is free and carries no obligation to buy.
Can I drive and use a computer with progressive lenses?: Yes. The top of the lens carries your distance power for driving, and the corridor covers the dashboard and a computer screen. If you spend most of the day at a desk, tell the optometrist — some lens designs give a wider intermediate zone for office work.
Will any frame work with progressive lenses?: Most do. The frame needs enough height to fit the distance zone, the corridor and the reading zone, so very shallow frames are not suitable. We check this with you when you choose the frame.
At what age do people need progressive lenses?: Usually from the early to mid 40s, when presbyopia — the natural loss of near focus — begins. It happens to everyone, including people who never needed glasses before.
Where can I get multifocal glasses near me in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor?: At any of the 9 My Vision group stores: Elite Pavilion (Bukit Bintang), 1 Utama (Bandar Utama), The Curve (Mutiara Damansara), Klang Parade, Centrepoint Bandar Utama, Ampang Point, Selayang Mall, Brem Mall (Kepong), AEON BiG Bandar Tun Hussein Onn (Cheras). The eye test is free and you can book it online.

Bahasa Malaysia

Kanta multifokal (progresif): satu kanta, semua jarak

Kanta multifokal — juga dipanggil kanta progresif atau cermin mata multifocal — ialah satu kanta cermin mata yang menggabungkan tiga kuasa: bahagian atas untuk melihat jauh, bahagian tengah untuk skrin komputer, dan bahagian bawah untuk membaca. Tiada garisan pada kanta, jadi ia kelihatan seperti cermin mata biasa.

Ia sesuai untuk anda yang berumur 40 tahun ke atas dan mula sukar membaca tulisan kecil, atau yang penat bertukar-tukar antara dua pasang cermin mata. Di My Vision, ukuran diambil di kedai supaya kanta dipotong mengikut mata dan bingkai pilihan anda.

Berapa lama untuk membiasakan diri dengan kanta progresif?: Kebanyakan orang mengambil masa beberapa hari hingga dua minggu. Pakai setiap hari, halakan hidung ke arah objek yang ingin dilihat, dan turunkan mata — bukan kepala — untuk membaca.
Berapakah harga kanta multifokal?: Harga bergantung pada reka bentuk kanta, ketebalan (indeks) dan salutan yang dipilih. Kami akan beri sebut harga selepas pemeriksaan mata — pemeriksaan itu percuma dan tanpa sebarang obligasi.
Di mana boleh buat cermin mata multifokal berhampiran saya?: Di mana-mana 9 kedai My Vision: Elite Pavilion (Bukit Bintang), 1 Utama (Bandar Utama), The Curve (Mutiara Damansara), Klang Parade, Centrepoint Bandar Utama, Ampang Point, Selayang Mall, Brem Mall (Kepong), AEON BiG Bandar Tun Hussein Onn (Cheras). Mulakan dengan pemeriksaan mata percuma, tempah dalam talian.

Tempah pemeriksaan mata percuma

9 cawangan di Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor.

Free trial

Try first. Then choose.

At My Vision you can wear our multifocal trial lens set in store and see for yourself how multifocal vision feels — before you choose your own lenses. Long distance sits across the top of the lens; short distance sits at the bottom.

Ask for the multifocal trial set at any of our stores. The eye test is free, and your lenses are cut to your prescription.

Package

RM399 · Multifocal lens + frame

Premium quality
Clear vision at every distance
Stylish frames

Not available at the Pavilion Elite outlet. Terms apply — ask in store.

Book a free eye test

Where to get fitted

It starts with a free eye test

Pick the store nearest you, then a day and a time — you're confirmed on the spot.

Elite Pavilion

Bukit Bintang · Kuala Lumpur

1 Utama

Bandar Utama · Selangor

The Curve

Mutiara Damansara · Selangor

Klang Parade

Klang · Selangor

Centrepoint Bandar Utama

Bandar Utama · Selangor

Ampang Point

Ampang · Selangor

Selayang Mall

Selayang · Selangor

Brem Mall

Kepong · Kuala Lumpur

AEON BiG Bandar Tun Hussein Onn

Cheras · Selangor

Book a free eye test

Guides

Eye care, plainly explained

All guides

Multifocal progressive lenses: one lens, every distance

Four problems. One pair.

Three powers. One surface.

Measured, then cut.

A free eye test

Choose the frame

Measured on you

Collect and adjust