Custom Prescription Bifocal Swim Goggles Made in a Vancouver Optical Lab

Specialty eyewear often requires solutions that go far beyond standard lens production. This project is a good example of the type of custom optical work performed in a Vancouver optical lab, where unique prescriptions and real-world use cases require careful planning and precise execution.

In this case, the client needed prescription swim goggles fitted with super high minus flat-top bifocal lenses. These lenses allow clear distance vision while also providing near vision through the bifocal segment—an important feature for divers who need to read gauges and equipment underwater. This type of work is uncommon and typically requires in-house lab capabilities.

The process began by planning the lens shape so it could fit properly inside the swim goggle frame. A former was used to create a lens profile slightly smaller than the original example. A plano base glass flat-top bifocal lens was selected as the carrier lens. Because of the lens thickness and existing surface damage, the lens had to be carefully cleaned and adjusted before further processing could begin.

One of the key challenges in this project was managing lens thickness. In high-minus bifocal lenses, the thickness of the fused segment largely determines how thin the finished lens can be. This required careful grinding to avoid compromising the structure or optical alignment of the bifocal segment.

Accurate alignment was critical. Both lenses needed their bifocal lines positioned precisely so they would function correctly once mounted into the goggles. Axis lines were carefully marked, and each lens was worked on individually to ensure the bifocal segments remained level and consistent between the two lenses.

Once the surfaces were properly prepared, the prescription lens was laminated onto the glass carrier lens. For this step, the bonding surface had to be perfectly flat. Any irregularity could affect the bond or visual clarity. After curing, the lenses were inspected to confirm proper alignment and surface quality.

The final step was reassembly. With the lenses completed and aligned, they were mounted back into the swim goggle frame. The finished result was a set of custom bifocal prescription swim goggles with a high minus prescription, astigmatism correction, and accurate pupillary distance alignment—crafted entirely through in-house optical lab work in Vancouver.

Projects like this highlight why local optical lab expertise still matters. Custom eyewear solutions require experience, patience, and close attention to detail—qualities that are best delivered through hands-on, in-house craftsmanship rather than remote mass production.

This is one of many specialty projects completed through our in-house optical lab in Vancouver.