The Arizona Republic Arizona scientists' latest revolution may delight anyone who wears bifocals or anyone who needs them but doesn't want to wear them.

Researchers at the University of Arizona in Tucson have developed a new lens whose strength can be instantly changed by altering a dose of electricity delivered to a liquidcrystal film.

The lens paves the way for glasses that focus automatically. They could be available to the public in two years. Such glasses would revolutionize the $50 billion-a-year worldwide eye-care market, making bifocals and progressive lenses obsolete. That's good news for the 93 percent of people age 45 and older who need bifocals.

Glasses could be set to a wearer's distance prescription and would automatically adjust to closer objects. Instead of grinding new lenses to accommodate a changein eyesight, an optometrist would adjust the base setting on the lenses.

The technology has been sold to a Roanoke, Va., company that is working to commercialize it.

The product would contain a tiny battery and infrared autofocuser that could fit in any eyeglass frame. "Glasses are a fashion statement," said Dwight Distin, executive vice president for research and development at the company, PixelOptics Inc. "No one's going to buy something that's clunky or geeky.