Adjustable Glasses: Dial Vision, Eyejusters, and More

What are Adjustable Glasses?

Adjustable glasses are a versatile and affordable solution to correcting minor vision problems. They won’t replace regular glasses, but they work great in a pinch and make some activities much easier.

Also known as variable focus glasses and adjustable focus reading glasses, self-adjustable glasses allow wearers to see near and far. They're similar to other multifocal lenses (bifocals and trifocals) but less expensive and available without a prescription.

Glasses with adjustable focus lenses are especially convenient for people with presbyopia (age-related farsightedness). They can correct other refractive errors, including:

Myopia (nearsightedness)
Hyperopia (farsightedness)

How are Adjustable Glasses Different from Regular Eyeglasses?

With traditional lenses such as bifocals and progressives, small portions of each lens offer different types of vision correction. You'll look through the top to see far away and down for objects near you. While convenient, this leads to a limited field of view.

With adjustable focus glasses, you have one focal length that varies depending on where you are looking.

These non-prescription glasses feature adjustment dials for far- and nearsighted correction. Adjustable glasses provide improved vision at all distances without requiring you to switch pairs of glasses or limit your field of view.

How Do Adjustable Glasses Work?

Adjustable focus glasses feature fluid-filled lens technology that lets you adjust the lens power based on your vision needs. You twist the dial until you achieve optimal visual acuity. This is why they are sometimes called dial vision glasses.

Each lens on adjustable glasses has a membrane that moves outward or inward based on how much fluid the lens contains. The fluid comes from a small syringe in each arm of the glasses. Pumping fluid in or out of the lens changes its refractive power:

Correcting hyperopia (farsightedness). Pumping fluid into the lens increases its power, allowing you to see up close.
Correcting myopia (nearsightedness). Pumping fluid out decreases the lens power, providing clear distance vision.

Pros and Cons of Adjustable Eyeglasses

Adjustable eyeglasses offer a variety of benefits, but they aren’t right for everyone. They offer convenience, but they tend not to work as well as prescription-strength glasses.

These glasses can be found at many retail stores and online from Amazon. Many of the benefits and drawbacks of adjustable glasses vary based on the brand, so research your options before choosing which is best for you.

Pros

The pros of adjustable glasses include:

Affordability
No need for a prescription or eye exam
Individual lens adjustment
Durability
Many brands offer both magnification and blue light filtering capabilities to protect your eyes from screen damage

Cons

The cons of adjustable glasses include:

Usually not as attractive as traditional lenses
Quality doesn’t match most prescription glasses
Can be difficult to adjust
Easily scratched
Some users struggle with distance lens use

Where to Buy Adjustable Glasses

Several brands offer adjustable eyeglasses. Our favorites include:

Dial Vision

Dial Vision offers adjustable glasses for nearsightedness and farsightedness.

Features include:

Dials on both arms for individual lens adjustment
Available without a prescription
More affordable than traditional prescription lenses

Shop Now

Eyejusters

Eyejusters replace traditional reading glasses. The company has offered adjustable reading glasses since 2016 and claims to replace all your over-the-counter reading glasses.

Features include:

Glasses change focus with the simple twist of a dial
Dial on each side provides individualized focusing power
Dials are discreetly hidden
Vision correction ranges from +0.50 to +4.00
Durable, scratch-resistant lenses
Unisex glasses are available in a variety of colors, designs, and materials

Shop Now

Global Vision

Global Vision offers a wide range of affordable adjustable eyewear. You can find Global Vision adjustable glasses for as little as $5 to $10 online. Most pairs cost less than $20.

These glasses are more functional than stylish. These are great if you’re looking for a convenient option that allows you to see close and far away.

Shop Now

Adlens

Adlens offers adjustable glasses that feature a compound lens system. The technology features two thin, wave-shaped plates that slide across each other when you turn the knob. The position of the two plates adjusts the overall power of the lens.

Other features include:

Anti-reflective coating
Vision correction ranging from -4.00 to +5.00
Allows you to focus at any distance with one pair of glasses

Shop Now

How Much Do Adjustable Eyeglasses Cost?

Adjustable eyeglasses cost much less than traditional prescription vision correction. The average cost of adjustable glasses is about $25. Some brands offer adjustable eyewear for less than $5 a pair.

Summary

Adjustable glasses correct a variety of refractive errors, including presbyopia. They provide variable focusing, so you can use them to see at all distances.

Unlike multifocal lenses such as bifocals or progressives, adjustable glasses are available without a prescription. Many brands sell adjustable glasses for $25 or less, making them an affordable and convenient option. However, they don’t replace regular prescription glasses.

In this article