Computers, emails, office work, drawing, reading—much of daily life involves digital interaction and close-up work, which can cause eye tiredness and discomfort. Anti-fatigue lenses reduce this type of eyestrain and support accommodation, providing relief for individuals who engage in prolonged near-distance tasks. Distinct from progressives or single-vision lenses, these lenses solve a much-needed problem and help reduce visual effort.

Anti-fatigue lenses, sometimes called enhanced single-vision lenses, feature a concentrated power boost in the lower portion of the lens. This design provides additional support for near tasks such as reading, texting, or computer work. These lenses are a relatively new category of prescription eyewear designed to alleviate symptoms of eye strain.

Anti-fatigue lenses are not segmented like bifocals, nor are they as gradually progressive as multifocals, but they function as an extension of single-vision technology. Pre-presbyopes who don’t yet require the multifocal power of a progressive or bifocal lens but feel eye discomfort during near tasks would benefit from the support provided by anti-fatigue lenses. These patients can benefit from the small accommodative relief zone without the more significant added powers required for presbyopia management.

Anti-fatigue lenses help reduce eye strain caused by prolonged near work by featuring a subtle power boost. The top portion matches a regular single-vision prescription for distance or intermediate vision, while the bottom includes a mild “add” power to ease the strain on the ciliary muscle when focusing on close tasks. This design minimizes accommodative stress, reducing symptoms like headaches, dry eyes, and blurred vision during extended periods of near work.

The slight additional power at the bottom of anti-fatigue lenses reduces the accommodative effort required for near tasks. Since this added power is less than that of progressive lenses, the transition from distance to near vision is smooth and requires minimal adaptation, helping to reduce strain and fatigue. Advanced freeform surfacing techniques ensure precise power distribution with minimal distortion. Some designers incorporate custom technologies, like IOT Digital Ray Path 2, to incorporate the wearer’s natural accommodative ability and minimize oblique aberrations.

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Anti-fatigue lenses are great for younger wearers, typically in their 20s to late 30s, who experience visual fatigue from extended close-up tasks but don’t require a significant corrective lens like a progressive prescription. Unlike presbyopes (usually aged 40+), who need higher add powers and often choose progressive lenses, these individuals benefit from mild eye support at near distances.

Though anyone at any age can use anti-fatigue single-vision lenses, typical patient profiles for this lens consist of:

• Young professionals: People who spend eight hours or more in front of digital screens, such as office workers, designers, and programmers
• Students: Older students with extensive reading or screen-based assignments
• Frequent digital device users: Individuals who frequently switch between a phone, tablet, or computer, causing continual changing focus demands
• Early presbyopes: People beginning to notice subtle near-vision strain but don’t yet require multifocal solutions.
• Patient experiencing symptoms: A patient experiencing ocular fatigue and dryness, headaches and neck strain, intermittent blur, or reduced comfort during or after close-up activities.

There are a few contraindications when these lenses are not suitable for a patient that seems to match the profile. For example:

• Exophoric myopes: Some but not all exophoric myopes will benefit from the power boost correction. Sometimes the boost will reduce accommodative effort, which might exacerbate an existing tendency for the eyes to drift outward.
• Accommodation spasm: If a patient has difficulty relaxing their accommodation, the additional boost could potentially worsen symptoms rather than relieve them.
• High anisometropia or binocular vision issues: People with significant differences in prescription between their two eyes or unstable binocular vision may not adapt well to anti-fatigue lenses.

The different types of anti-fatigue lenses are determined by the range of the boost/add power.

Add power: +.50D
Ideal for: Younger wearers or those with mild symptoms of visual fatigue and eye strain

Add power: +.75D
Ideal for: Individuals with moderate symptoms of visual fatigue and near-work strain.

Add power: +1.00D
Ideal for: Pre-presbyopes, wearers with significant near-work demands, or severe symptoms. These offer a smooth transition from single vision to progressive lenses

Anti-fatigue lenses can initially be confusing to a patient, as they are classed as single-vision lenses that still incorporate more than one power. This leads to some confusion about the differences between anti-fatigue and progressive lenses, though these distinctions are stark to professionals in the ophthalmic industry.

Simply put, the main difference between anti-fatigue and progressive lenses is the range of vision and focal powers. Anti-fatigue glasses will only have a distance focal power and the power boost, whereas progressive lenses incorporate multiple focal powers that correct for a variety of distance, intermediate, and close-up ranges. Anti-fatigue lens designs cannot address intermediate and near-field vision correction.   

Multifocal elements: Both offer varying powers for different viewing distances, even if progressives have a more significant range of add powers.

Lifestyle benefits: Both can address headaches, eye strain, and discomfort associated with near work.

Degree of add power:

• Anti-fatigue lenses feature a minimal add, typically under +1.00D.
• Progressives can incorporate add powers ranging from +0.75D up to +3.50D or more.

Target demographic:

• Anti-fatigue lenses generally cater to younger adults, pre-presbyopes, or those with less complex near-vision requirements like exophoric myopes.
• Progressives address presbyopia in older adults, especially those requiring mid-range correction.

Adaptation:

• Anti-fatigue lenses often have a more minor adaptation period since the shift from distance to near power is less dramatic.
• Progressive lenses often require a longer adaptation period for wearers to learn the “zones” of the lens for distinct distance ranges.

One common point of confusion is distinguishing anti-fatigue lenses from blue-blocking or blue-light lenses. Blue-light filtering is a special coating applied to a lens that absorbs HEV and blue light from an emitting source such as the sun or digital screens. As it is a filter, lens manufacturers can apply the coating on top of various lens types, like progressives and single vision.

Therefore, blue-light lenses are not their own distinct type of lens but an add-on a wearer can incorporate into their prescription. Anti-fatigue lenses are their classification of single-vision lenses with a power boost. A wearer cannot have a different lens design, like a progressive or bifocal lens, and make it anti-fatigue.

An important consideration for lens manufacturers, labs, and eye care professionals is whether anti-fatigue lenses can fit into every type of eyewear frame. With modern freeform technology, labs can tailor an anti-fatigue lens to the patient’s unique prescription and the exact frame measurements. Though these lenses are compatible with any frame, frame shape, size, and fitting height can influence the outcome, making some choices less functionally optimal.

Vertical depth (B-Measurement): Anti-fatigue lenses require enough vertical real estate to accommodate both the distance portion and the slight add at the bottom. Frames with very shallow B-measurements may restrict the placement of the near-zone add power.
Pupil height: Proper centration of the lens relative to the pupil ensures that the lens’s boost power lines up correctly with the wearer’s eye so that they look through the intended area when performing near tasks with minimal distortion.
Pantoscopic tilt: If the angle the lens rests on the wearer’s face is not accurately measured, then the lenses may shift from the patient’s natural viewing angle, reducing the overall effectiveness.

Several benefits have led to anti-fatigue lenses’ rising popularity among specific demographics.

These lenses specialize in providing relief from prolonged near tasks. Whether coding, reading, writing, or heavily using digital screens, the slight boost in the lower lens reduces the strain on the eye’s ciliary muscle. Over time, this translates to fewer tension headaches and more consistent focus.

Anti-fatigue lenses have only a minor shift in power. That means little to no swim effect or distortion, allowing patients to adapt quickly, making them a low-risk recommendation.

They can serve as an everyday single-vision correction for distance and near tasks. For early presbyopes, an anti-fatigue lens often postpones or complements the move to progressives. For younger users without presbyopia, it offers extra support and comfortable near vision.

Eye strain can hamper productivity. By reducing visual fatigue, anti-fatigue lenses can positively impact work performance, energy levels, and overall wearer experience.

Whether anti-fatigue lenses are worth it ultimately hinges on a patient’s age, lifestyle, and unique visual demands. Individuals who frequently report headaches, blurred vision, or difficulty focusing after extended near work often find these lenses a strong contender. By offering a bridging option between standard single-vision and full progressive lenses, anti-fatigue designs can serve patients who aren’t yet ready for multifocals but still need relief from digital eye strain. These lenses can come at a slightly higher price point than their single-vision counterparts. Though the potential for improved comfort, productivity, and overall visual health often justifies the investment, it is important to consider affordability if that is a driving factor for a wearer.

From a manufacturing standpoint, precision in freeform lens design and appropriate fitting parameters ensure that these lenses integrate seamlessly with most frame shapes, allowing labs to expand and differentiate their product offerings. Recommending anti-fatigue lenses can be a strategic way for eye care professionals to enhance patient satisfaction, particularly among younger demographics reliant on digital screens. The versatility of this lens makes them a popular choice for patient wellness and provider care.

IOT’s anti-fatigue solutions leverage precise optical design and advanced freeform surfacing to provide just the right boost for near tasks while maintaining clear vision at other distances. From reducing digital eye strain to meeting patients where they are in their eye care journey, these designs offer a practical yet innovative answer to modern visual challenges. We’re here to help you deliver maximum comfort, clarity, and satisfaction through our advanced, customizable lens designs.

Contact us to learn more about our anti-fatigue technology and how it can benefit your practice or lab.

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