tells me they can make things like trifocals with the distance segment in the middle and suitable reading segments both below and above for close overhead reading.
They're called "occupational" bifocals and trifocals. Reading top and bottom, distance in the middle. Good for when your eyes start to go bad, until you need three focus ranges (reading, panel, distance). Then, it's craning the neck or quad, as Mustafagander mentions.