An apparatus is for ascertaining and outputting a type of spectacle lens suitable for a spectacle wearer with a visual characteristics providing device, for providing visual characteristics of the spectacle wearer, a needs providing device, for providing individual needs of the spectacle wearer, a spectacle lens type providing device, for providing a plurality of types of spectacle lenses having predetermined characteristics, a desired characteristics ascertaining device, for ascertaining desired characteristics of a type of spectacle lens using the provided visual characteristics and the provided individual needs of the spectacle wearer, an assigning device, for assigning at least one type of spectacle lens from among the plurality of types of spectacle lenses to the desired characteristics, on the basis of predetermined assignment rules, and a spectacle lens type outputting device, for outputting the at least one assigned type of spectacle lens. A method is for ascertaining and outputting a type of spectacle lens suitable for a spectacle wearer and also a computer program is for carrying out the method.