Progressive lenses (also known as “no line bifocals” are incredibly popular in society today. Many cannot wait to get their first pair while others are hesitant about this option.
In either case, gaining some insight about what these lenses are and starting to use them early is not a bad thing. There are many benefits to getting your first pair of progressive lenses sooner rather than later.
What Are Progressive Lenses?
A progressive lens is a glasses lens design that offers clarity at both distance and near objects, depending on where you look within the lens.
They are often prescribed for patients with presbyopia, referring to one’s increasing difficulty in seeing objects up close. This change is age-related, starting in the late thirties and ending with a complete inability to focus at near by the early sixties.
Progressives are the more aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional bifocal lenses that have a visible line dividing the different zones of view.
In progressive lenses, the zones are blended and placed in the same spot that a bifocal reading portion would be located such that no visible line is seen.
There are many different versions or progressive lenses, designed for different purposes such as office tasks or driving. Our opticians will assist in finding the right design for you.
The Benefits of Starting with Progressives Early
As presbyopia advances with age, the magnitude of the reading add power will need to increase. Starting early means that you will be learning to use a progressive lens when the reading power is low and the distortion when looking in a different area of the lens will not be as significant.
Starting early also means that you may still have some residual flexibility in the ocular system responsible for allowing you to see up close, which can be very helpful.
Overall, this will decrease the amount of time needed to familiarize yourself with the lens and ease your transition when you move into glasses with higher prescriptions in subsequent years.
There is no danger in jumping into progressive lenses later in life. The transition may be easy for some individuals while others will need longer adjustment periods to get used to using this type of lens.
Make sure to give it a couple of weeks as initial slight dizziness is normal, especially if you recently had an update to your glasses prescription.
Important Considerations of Using a No Line Bifocal
The key to a successful experience with progressive lenses is your head position. Look straight ahead for distance or computer viewing and down for reading.
This means that the eyes turn downward while the chin stays pointing straight ahead. Make sure not to turn the head down to view the text, simply turn the eyes only.
Also test out different distances for the reading material as this can make a big difference to clarity.
Another important consideration is the type of lens design. Higher quality progressive lenses will have larger zones for distance, intermediate, and near viewing.
This can ease your transition into using these lenses as your eyes will not need to be in small and specific regions to be able to see clearly.
FAQs
#2: You should get progressive lenses if you have presbyopia. When you enter your 40s, you're at a higher risk for presbyopia--but don't worry, as it's not as scary as it sounds. Presbyopia simply means the lenses in your eyes can't move with as much ease as they used to, which can cause issues with your near vision.
What is the average age for progressive lenses? ›
As you age, the need for a progressive lens can increase, and by the age of 35 to 40, many people struggle with focusing their eyes on nearby objects. This vision issue is also known as presbyopia. Progressive lenses are a convenient solution that offers a layered lens to simplify your age-related vision problems.
How long does it take to get used to progressive lenses for the first time? ›
How long does it take to adapt to progressive lenses? This varies from person to person and according to the degree of presbyopia. It can range from just a few hours to three weeks. The vast majority of progressive lens wearers manage to get used to them after this short period.
Should I get progressive lenses if I only need reading glasses? ›
If you only have a hard time seeing things up close, you might just need reading glasses, which you use whenever you read or use the computer. However, if your vision is blurry enough that you can't see near or far things, a progressive set of lenses might be a better option.
Who is not a good candidate for progressive lenses? ›
Individuals with strong prescriptions, a high degree of astigmatism, or specific visual needs may not find progressive lenses suitable. Additionally, some individuals may take longer to adjust to progressive lenses and may require some time to adapt to the new visual experience.
Should I wear my progressive glasses all day? ›
Follow these tips to have the most success with your progressive lenses: First off, begin wearing the new lenses with a positive attitude. People who approach the lenses with an open mind generally have more success with them. Progressive lenses are meant to be worn all day.
What is the downside of progressive lenses? ›
Progressive lenses can also cause peripheral distortion when moving your eyes from side to side. During the learning period, you may feel off-balance or even nauseated from looking through the wrong section of the lens. Cost is also a factor.
Are bigger frames better for progressive lenses? ›
#2: It's best to steer clear of small frames.
Progressive lenses should be 28-30mm tall. If your frames are too small, your lenses might not give you the proper coverage for all three fields of view. That can inhibit your near vision, making it difficult to read or see things that are close to your face.
Why can't I read with my progressive lenses? ›
Blurred sight near the top of your field of vision is a sign that the long-distance portion of your lenses is out of adjustment to what you need. If you can't read properly or things up close are blurry, your near-vision segment might need an adjustment.
Is it difficult to drive in progressive lenses? ›
Progressive lenses are an all-inclusive type of eyewear that helps you see up close, far away, and everywhere in between. That means that progressive lenses are good for driving, so if you plan to take a road trip or drive to work, you can feel confident in your choice of vision correction.
How to Get Used to Progressive Lenses
- Switch to Progressives ASAP. ...
- Don't Switch Between Your New and Old Pair. ...
- Wear Your Glasses as Much as Possible. ...
- Follow the 20-20-20 Rule. ...
- Follow Your Nose. ...
- Beware of Stairs. ...
- Read With Your Eyes.
Most people will have their computer lens at the bottom of their lens, so simply put, the 'typical' ergonomic setup (shown below) simply won't work very well for them. This typical setup does not work for bifocals and progressives! An ideal viewing angle is about 15 degrees below the horizontal.
Is it better to wear reading glasses or progressive lenses? ›
Progressive lenses instead adopt a more comprehensive vision correction spectrum. The top is for correction, the bottom is for reading, but the middle is somewhere in between. Usually encompassing a range between the other two, the middle of your lens is ideal for looking at a computer screen during work.
Which is better, reading glasses or progressive? ›
Traditional reading glasses are an economical choice for occasional close-up tasks, while progressive lenses offer greater versatility for those who require clear vision at various distances throughout the day.
What is the average cost of progressive lenses? ›
Compared to the slightly lower cost of bifocal lenses, the average consumer pays between $150 and $250 for their progressive lenses. For this price range, you should be able to purchase a decent set of progressive lenses. Overall, progressive lenses are an excellent answer to particular vision needs.
Is it normal for progressive lenses to be blurry at first? ›
Blurry Vision? It's normal for your new eye prescription to seem blurry at first.
What to expect when wearing progressive lenses for the first time? ›
The most common complaint when adjusting to progressive lenses is blurry vision, headaches, nausea and balance issues. It can take some time to train your eyes and brain to see clearly at a distance and close-up. Most people will adjust to their new lenses in only a few days but for some, it could take up to two weeks.
