What Are Progressive Lenses?
Progressive lenses are growing in popularity for their versatility and their ability to provide a more natural visual experience. Designed to provide clear vision across various distances, these eyeglasses increase in magnification as they move from top to bottom of the lens. You see far-away objects through the top of the glasses, intermediate objects through the middle and close-up objects through the bottom.
While traditional bifocal and trifocal lenses have visible lines separating the levels of magnification, progressives lack these telltale transition lines. Learn more about progressive lenses, how they differ from other visual correction options and the benefits of choosing them.
Who Should Wear Progressive Lenses?
Progressive lenses are especially helpful for people who have presbyopia, a common age-related condition that makes it difficult to focus on close-up objects. People who wear single-vision lenses for distance, in addition to reading glasses, can benefit from progressive lenses. Situations where progressive lenses are commonly recommended include:
- Presbyopia: Our eyes change as we age. When we reach our 40s, it can be more difficult to adjust focus between up close, intermediate and far away objects. Progressive lenses can more closely mimic the natural vision you would enjoy before the onset of presbyopia — without needing to switch between multiple pairs of glasses.
- Multifocal needs: People with a combination of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism can benefit from progressive lenses as they provide a seamless transition between different focal points.
- Occupational use: Anyone who needs clear vision for multiple distances in the workplace, such as office workers who alternate between computer screens and paperwork, may find progressive lenses helpful.
- Cosmetic preference: Many prefer the aesthetic appeal of progressive lenses over traditional bifocals, as they don't have noticeable lines separating the magnification levels.
- Active lifestyles: People who enjoy certain activities that require changes in focus, like sports or a certain hobby, can find progressive lenses especially convenient for achieving clear vision at multiple distances.
You'll want to consult with an eye care professional to determine if progressive lenses are right for your needs and lifestyle.
The Benefits and Challenges of Progressive Lenses
Progressive lenses offer a seamless transition between distances, convenience and cosmetic appeal. They have an adaptation period, but there are ways to adjust and ensure your comfort while wearing these lenses. The following are some benefits and potential drawbacks of progressive lenses:
Advantages of Choosing Progressive Lenses
Progressive lenses are a popular choice for various reasons:
- Seamless transition: Progressive lenses are comfortable, offering a smooth transition between near, intermediate and distance vision without visible lines getting in the way. This offers a more natural vision experience over bifocals or trifocals.
- Aesthetically pleasing: These lenses are also more cosmetically appealing than traditional bifocals or trifocals since they don't have noticeable lines.
- Convenience: When you opt for progressive lenses, you don't have to switch between multiple pairs of glasses to see at different distances. This helps simplify your daily activities, which is ideal for people with active lifestyles.
- Improved peripheral vision: Progressive lenses offer a wide field of vision, allowing you to see different focal ranges clearly as well as in your peripheral vision.
- Customization: You can work with your eyeglasses provider to customize your progressive lenses, ensuring they suit your specific preferences and vision needs. Personalized vision correction is one of the top reasons people choose these lenses.
Potential Drawbacks and How to Overcome Them
Progressive lenses have potential drawbacks, but there are several ways you can overcome them. Drawbacks and fixes include:
- Adaptation period: Some may have difficulty adjusting to progressive lenses, especially transitioning between the different viewing zones within the lens. However, with your care professional's guidance and time, you can gradually adjust to them. For example, you might tilt the head slightly when finding optimal viewing zones until you've fully adjusted.
- Peripheral distortion: Some may experience distortions or issues with the peripheral areas of the lens, especially when looking off to the sides. Choosing the right frames with a suitable size and shape can minimize these distortions and help with your visual comfort.
- Cost: Progressive lenses can be more expensive than traditional single-vision lenses or bifocals, which may deter some from choosing them. However, discussing your budget with an eye care professional can help you explore more cost-effective options or payment plans.
How Do Progressive Lenses Compare to Traditional Options?
Progressive lenses are often the preferred choice for people with presbyopia, offering the following benefits over traditional options like bifocals and singular-vision glasses:
- Progressive vs. bifocal glasses: While lined bifocals and trifocals were popular in the past, the prominent line that separates the distances can create a significant "image jump” when switching from one vision distance to another, which can be disorienting. The lack of a visible line also makes progressive lenses the more attractive, modern option for people.
- Progressive vs. single-vision glasses: Single-vision glasses are the most basic option for people who need help with reading. However, they only allow you to see up close. As a result, you might frequently remove your glasses when you need to see at a distance or carry multiple glasses if you have a distance prescription.
In general, progressive lenses provide a better visual experience than bifocals or reading glasses. With them, prescription changes gradually, mimicking how the eyes adjust naturally to different distances.
Key Considerations for Progressive Lens Wearers
There are a few factors to consider when selecting progressive lenses in order to ensure comfort and effectiveness. Professionals will guide you through every step of the process:
- Prescription: Ensure your prescription is up-to-date and includes all necessary details. Having an accurate prescription can ensure more effective, comfortable progressive lenses.
- Lens material: The right lens material will depend on your lifestyle and your prescription strength. You'll want to discuss these factors with your eye care provider to ensure the right lens durability, weight and thickness.
- Frame selection: The right frame is critical to ensuring your progressive lenses perform optimally. You'll need frames that not only flatter your face but also have enough vertical height to accommodate the different vision areas on the lenses.
- Measurement: Be sure to get accurate measurements to ensure the proper placement of your progressive lens zones. A precise fit ensures a more comfortable, effective vision improvement.
- Adaptation: After getting your progressive lenses, be sure to wear them as often as possible to make the adaptation period faster. Many people adjust within one to two weeks, or for some, around one month.
When opting for progressive eyeglasses, choosing a quality optical shop is important. Professionals will guide you through the process, help you pick the right frame and ensure the lenses are positioned properly over your eyes.
Get Progressive Lenses Today at Eyemart Express
Progressive lenses are an innovative, attractive and effective option for people with presbyopia. The prescription changes gradually across the lens, providing a gentle transition to help you see clearly. When choosing progressive eyeglasses, make sure to have your lenses customized and fitted by eye care professionals. Eyemart Express can prepare your glasses as quickly and carefully as possible, ensuring most orders — even progressives — are ready the same day with quality guaranteed.
Stop by for an eye exam, choose from over 2,000 frames and have your glasses with same-day speed — all in one place. Find an Eyemart Express near you or browse our progressive lenses online today.
