Why You Need Progressive Lenses That Fit | Essilor USA (2024)

If you've always been able to see close-up, but have difficulty now (and you're over the age of 40), it’s likely presbyopia.

Properly Fitted Progressive Lenses Can Help

Luckily, presbyopia isn't a condition that has to drastically change your life. The best way to adapt to this new challenge is to make an appointment with your eye doctor, who will most likely prescribe you a pair of progressive addition lenses (PALS).

Progressive lenses, such as Varilux® lenses, offer more advantages than bifocals (which only allow you to see better near and far) by allowing you to see clearly at all distances—near, far, and everything in between. Progressive lenses also eliminate the line in bifocals and make for a more seamless transition from looking in the distance to focusing on objects close-up.Of course, you’ll experience the benefits of progressive lenses most when they are properly adjusted to fit your frames and the way the frames fit your face.

This is most often done by a trained optician. Opticians advise patients on frame and lens selection after they have received their prescription from the optometrist or ophthalmologist.

What Are the Best Frames for Progressive Lenses?

It is important to understand the impact your frame choice has on your lenses. Frame size is an important consideration when it comes to progressive lenses, because certain progressive lenses work better in different sized frames. Since progressive lenses allow you to see at all distances, it is important that the entire range of vision can fit within the frame. Therefore, frames with a very short lens don’t tend to fit progressive lenses as well as frames with a larger lens (at least 28mm tall). Lens shape is important, too. Progressive wearers should avoid aviators and cat-eyes because both can cut off the bottom portion of the prescription, resulting in a loss of reading vision. Instead, they should look for shorter frames with rounded edges such as horn-rimmed, retro wingtip, circular, and oval ones.

How Can You Tell If Your Progressive Lenses Are Fitted Correctly?

About 80% of the problems people have with progressive lenses come from fitting errors. Once your glasses return from the lab, the optician will have you try them on to conduct a final adjustment check and make sure they properly fit. If the prescription is not centered in the lens, it can keep you from being able to see clearly (e.g., when reading a book or walking down stairs). It's crucial that the lenses match up with the wearer's eyes, in particular, their pupils. This is accomplished through two measurements the opticians will take before ordering your new lenses: Pupillary Distance and Fitting Height. Pupillary Distance (PD) is the distance between the pupils. Fitting Height measures from the center of the pupil to the bottom of the lens for each eye.

Your eyecare professional can help you address any fitting issues you may have.

Troubleshooting fitting issues
SymptomSolution
Your reading area is narrow.
  • Check your fitting height and PD measurements.
Your peripheral vision blurs and moves.
  • Adjust your frames to decrease the distance between your lenses and eyes.
You have to lift your head or glasses to read.
  • Your lenses fit too low.
  • Adjust the frames to sit higher on your face.
  • Adjust the nose pads to be closer together.
  • If necessary, ask your eyecare professional to refit your lenses.
You lower your head or glasses to read at a distance.
  • Your lenses fit too high.
  • Adjust the frames to sit lower on your face.
  • Widen up the nose pads.
  • If necessary, ask your eyecare professional to refit your lenses.
You move reading material off to the side for better focus.
  • Your PD is off or your lenses are mounted incorrectly.
  • Have your lenses remade with the correct PD measurements.
Your distant vision is slightly blurry.
  • Decrease fitting height.


When the optician places the glasses on your face to fit them, it's necessary that you maintain your natural posture. If you tilt your head at an angle to which you don't normally tilt it, errors in the Fitting Height measurement can occur. Wearing lenses that aren't properly aligned can cause the eyes to adjust to the lenses incorrectly.

Why You Need Progressive Lenses That Fit | Essilor USA (2024)

FAQs

Why would I need progressive lenses? ›

If you need separate eye prescriptions to see clearly at different distances, progressive lenses can likely accommodate all of them with a single pair of glasses. They enable you to do tasks that require close-up vision, intermediate vision, and distance vision without swapping frames or taking glasses off.

Which two frame shapes are not recommended for progressive lenses? ›

Lens shape is important, too. Progressive wearers should avoid aviators and cat-eyes because both can cut off the bottom portion of the prescription, resulting in a loss of reading vision.

Do progressive lenses work better in larger frames? ›

', the answer is yes. Here's why: Bigger lenses ensure you have ample coverage for each prescription. Most types of progressive lenses fit better in large frames, so you'll need bigger lenses to go with them.

Does brand of progressive lenses matter? ›

If the price is a factor, opt for standard progressive lenses. However, if you have a complicated prescription or need customized lenses, premium progressive lenses are the better option. Either way, the new glasses will help get your vision back on track.

Who is a good candidate for progressive lenses? ›

Who can wear progressive lenses? Anyone that suffers from presbyopia is a candidate for progressive lenses, including current bifocal and trifocal wearers.

How do you know if you need progressives? ›

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.

What is the main drawback of progressive lenses? ›

Drawbacks of progressive lenses

If you're walking up stairs and look down through the lower portion of the lens, your feet may appear larger than they are. Progressive lenses can also cause peripheral distortion when moving your eyes from side to side.

What size frame is best for progressive lenses? ›

“The ideal lens height or frame depth that's required to experience clear and comfortable vision is at least 28mm,” Chua says. Here's, how to find frames with the ideal lens height for your progressive lenses: Shop our selection of progressive eligible frames (with a minimum lens height of 28 mm)

Why can't I see my computer with my progressive lenses? ›

Progressive lenses don't work well for computer screens because the intermediate part of the lens isn't wide enough to allow you to see the width of your monitor simply by moving your eyes. This forces you to move your head from side to side to see the entire screen.

Is there something better than progressive lenses? ›

Bifocal lenses provide a clear distinction between near and far vision prescription within the lens. While many people may immediately choose a progressive lens, a bifocal may be a better fit for your lifestyle and vision needs.

Do your eyes have to adjust to progressive lenses? ›

You may need time to adjust to your lenses. Most people get used to them after a week or two, but it can take longer. A few people never like the changes in vision and give up on bifocals or progressives.

What progressive lens has the widest reading area? ›

If you are looking for progressive reading glasses with a wider field of view in intermediate and near in your daily work, Visiflex advanced progressive lenses are the ones; as they are specially designed to provide wider reading area and comfortable intermediate for dynamic performance.

Which company is best progressive lens? ›

Varilux, as you probably know, has a dominant position in the progressive lens market, borne of decades of excellent lens design and thoughtful patient education.

What is a fair price for progressive lenses? ›

They help reduce visual fatigue, or computer vision syndrome. Computer progressive lenses are great for people working at near and intermediate distances. These lenses also allow for better posture, making it easier to hold your head in a more natural position. The price is generally in the $150 to $250 range.

What's the difference between standard and premium progressive lenses? ›

For most people, standard lenses are affordable. Compared with premium progressive lenses, standard progressive lenses are suitable for most people including children. Premium progressive lenses are customized to your eyes and offer a wider viewing area than standard lenses.

Do I need progressive lenses if I have astigmatism? ›

What Glasses Are Best for Astigmatism? If you have astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness, then your glasses will likely need single-vision lenses. If you need vision correction for additional conditions, such as presbyopia, then progressive lenses may be the best option for you.

What can go wrong with progressive lenses? ›

If wearers are not used to multiple changes in lens power, progressive lenses can make them nauseous and dizzy at first. Another disadvantage is that peripheral vision can be slightly altered by the changes that occur at the edge of progressive lenses.

Why bifocals are better than progressives? ›

With lined bifocals, you are better able to see people, objects, and even text at long distances. In addition to this distance benefit, lined bifocals contain less distortion on the edges of your lenses. Through this feature, you leverage clearer sight, especially if you are using your peripheral vision.

Can some people not tolerate progressive lenses? ›

Some people may not be able to handle the adjustment period. People who suffer from headaches, nausea, vertigo, or are prone to motion sickness may not be able to adjust to progressive lenses.

Why are progressive lenses so hard to get used to? ›

Progressive lenses have these distortion zones off to the sides, and if you happen to shift your eyes and you look through that distortion zone, your vision is going to feel weird and blurry. The best vision is going to be in the middle of the lenses. So, face directly at the object you want to look at.

Do you move your head or eyes with progressive lenses? ›

Progressive lenses allow you to see at all distances with one pair of glasses. They start with your distance prescription (if you have one) at the top of the lens and increase as you move toward the bottom of the lens. You simply move your head position to allow you to focus through different areas of the lens.

Is progressive lens good for driving? ›

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.

Are there different grades of progressive lenses? ›

Progressives are designed to help your eye transition between near and far distances, similar to what the eye does naturally. There are 5 tiers of progressive lenses on our lens options list. Each tier offers different levels of technology. Tier I is the most cost-conscious option, where Tier V has a more natural feel.

Are progressives or bifocals better for driving? ›

Progressive lenses are great for driving, since most prioritize distance vision. In addition to the distance benefits, patients will also notice an improvement when looking at the readings on their dashboards, as progressive lenses also correct for one's intermediate vision.

Should seniors wear progressive lenses? ›

These are usually recommended for individuals who lost their ability to naturally shift the focus of their eyes due to presbyopia and age. Progressive lenses. If you are over 40, your doctor may require you to wear progressive lenses, which are effective on bringing back your near and far visions.

Are progressive lenses always blurry on the sides? ›

Progressive lenses tend to be blurry on the sides because each lens promotes three fields of vision: An upper lens segment designed to help the wearer see objects in the distance. A lower lens segment designed to help the wearer see objects within very close proximity.

Is it normal to have blurry vision with progressive lenses? ›

In the first days of adjusting to progressive lenses, blurry vision can arise. To mitigate this, ensure you're looking through the correct part of the lens, and gradually increase the frequency of how often you wear your progressive lenses.

Which is better no line bifocals or progressive lenses? ›

Progressives create a smooth, more comfortable transition from distance to near and back. Progressive lenses are far more sophisticated and technologically advanced than their common name (often called “no-line bifocals”).

How much are Costco progressive lenses? ›

How Much Does It Cost To Replace Lenses at Costco?
Lens PricesSingle VisionProgressive
RX-able.com$28/pair$58/pair
Costco$91/pair$160/pair
*In most cases, Rx-able.com edges new lenses in your frame within 24 hours of receiving your frame.
Dec 2, 2020

Can I switch between progressive lenses and single vision? ›

Answer: As with any new prescription or change to your eyewear, switching from single vision glasses to Progressives, or vice versa, may take some adjusting. Having single vision glasses means the lenses offer just one focus for the eyes.

How long does it take for your eyes to adjust to progressive lenses? ›

Just be aware that while many wearers will get used to their new glasses in two to three days, a significant change in your eyeglass prescription, a change to your progressive lenses, or getting your first eyeglass prescription can result in an adjustment period that lasts up to two weeks.

Where should progressive glasses sit on your face? ›

Progressive glasses, on the other hand, should be worn on your nose so that the space between your eyes is as little as appropriate. This way, progressive glass wearers will have the widest fields of view in terms of the reading area. Finding the right fit requires just the correct measurements, not rocket science.

What brand of progressive lenses does Costco use? ›

Costco now accepts most vision insurance plans. *Independent Doctors of Optometry are located in or near most Costco locations in most states. Our Kirkland Signature HD progressive lenses use the latest in lens manufacturing technology to deliver high definition vision at any distance.

What are the thinnest progressive lenses? ›

If you have a very strong prescription, you should consider ultra thin high index 1.74 lenses. High Index 1.74 lenses are the thinnest, flattest, and most cosmetically appealing lens ever developed.

What brand of progressive lenses does Walmart sell? ›

The biggest collection of progressive lenses at Walmart is from Amillet Eyewear. They have around 29 progressive lenses available in the store for you.

Who makes America's best lenses? ›

America's Best is part of National Vision, one of the largest and fastest-growing optical retailers in the United States.

Is it OK to buy progressive lenses online? ›

Progressive glasses don't have to be bought locally

Contrary to what some think, you don't absolutely have to buy progressive glasses locally. They can be purchased online and you can even save a substantial amount compared to what you might pay at a local store.

What brands are premium progressive lenses? ›

Some of them are Varilux (Essilor), Zeiss, Hoya, Indo or Rodenstock.

How much does progressive lens cost at Walmart? ›

Eyeglass Lens Replacement Walmart
Lens PricesSingle VisionProgressive
RX-able.com$28/pair$58/pair
Walmart$70/pair$140/pair
*In most cases, Rx-able.com edges new lenses in your frame within 24 hours of receiving your frame.

Why do progressive lenses cost so much? ›

One reason progressive lenses cost more than other kinds is that they're harder to make. Cutting and shaping the gradient on progressive lenses is simply a more delicate and time-consuming process than cutting a lens with the same prescription throughout—or even one with multiple fixed prescriptions.

What is the best size for progressive lenses? ›

“The ideal lens height or frame depth that's required to experience clear and comfortable vision is at least 28mm,” Chua says. Here's, how to find frames with the ideal lens height for your progressive lenses: Shop our selection of progressive eligible frames (with a minimum lens height of 28 mm)

What is the difference between Varilux lenses and progressive lenses? ›

Varilux S Series lenses also eliminate distortion and provide greater edge-to-edge clarity than any other progressive lens. Thanks to the patented lens shape and cutting-edge technology, Varilux S Series lenses can help give you more natural vision, helping you see the way you did before you needed progressive lenses.

Do you need two prescriptions for progressive lenses? ›

What Are Progressive Lenses? Progressive lenses have three prescriptions in one pair of glasses. That allows you to do close-up work (like reading a book), middle-distance work (like checking out a website on a computer), or distance viewing (like driving) without needing to change your glasses.

Is it worth getting progressive lenses? ›

Some people find that a progressive lens is better than a single-vision lens because it allows them to see clearly at different distances without the need to carry a second pair of eyeglasses. A progressive lens does the job of a single-vision lens and reading glasses, so that you only have one pair of glasses on hand.

How do I know if I need bifocals or progressives? ›

Progressive lenses seamlessly transition between near and far prescriptions within the lens. In contrast, a distinct line separates near and far vision in bifocal lenses. Consider your lifestyle and your personal preference when choosing which type of lens is the best fit.

Is it possible to never get used to progressive lenses? ›

You may need time to adjust to your lenses. Most people get used to them after a week or two, but it can take longer. A few people never like the changes in vision and give up on bifocals or progressives.

What type of frame is best for progressive lenses? ›

The best frame shapes for progressive lenses are: Round glasses frames. Browline glasses frames.

Can you switch back and forth between bifocals and progressive lenses? ›

Wear your new bifocals or progressive lenses all the time and do not switch between pairs. Make sure your new pair of glasses fits your face and that there isn't any sliding. When you walk, be sure to look straight ahead and not down at your feet.

What are the best prescription glasses for driving? ›

In general, brown or grey tints are good driving lenses, because it will help you to identify traffic lights or brake lights in milliseconds and may improve your reaction time. TIP: Ask your eye care professional about tinted lenses with colour gradients.

Which glasses are best for driving? ›

Wearing polarised lenses for driving can enhance your visual comfort and make it safer for driving. Xperio Polarised lenses offer enhanced colour perception compared to tinted lenses, making it easier to see in bright light conditions and offer the highest level of UV protection within the Essilor range.

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