Progressive Lenses

What are Progressive Lenses?

Progressive Lens

An eyeglass lens having a smooth transition between areas with different focal lengths, correcting for vision at all distances.

Progressive lenses have three prescriptions in one pair of glasses. This lens design allows you to do close up work (reading a book), middle distance work (computer use), distance vision (driving) without needing to change your glasses. Sometimes referred to as multi focal lenses.

Progressive lenses are the updated version of the bifocal and trifocal lenses. Both of these traditional style lenses have visible lines in the lens. Progressive lenses have a seamless look. Sometimes referred to as “no line bifocals “ . Not really an accurate reference since they have three areas. It would be more accurate to refer to as “no line trifocals”.

Who Uses Progressive Lenses?

Typically people over the age of 40 that have presbyopia (farsightedness) with vision blurring when they are doing close up work or reading small print. Progressive lenses can be used for children too, to prevent increasing myopia (nearsightedness).

Specially progressive lenses exist to meet certain needs:

Computer progressive lenses

For instance computer progressive lenses are a great option for people who work at a desktop setting. These lenses do not have far distance section in the lens. This lens allows more room for close distance focus, and then the rest of the is created for the intermediate field. It does allow 10 to 15 feet of distance in order to see around the indoor setting or the office. Computer progressive lenses are also known as “office lenses “ or “ near variable focus lenses”. These lenses help alleviate visual fatigue, or computer vision syndrome. They are not only a perfect option for people who work in a computer but also great for people needing clear vision at intermediate and near distances such as painters, artists, dentists, librarians, hairdressers, mechanics, draftsman and editors. These lenses allow for better posture, making it easier to hold your head in a more natural position.

Premium progressive lenses

Premium progressive lenses are often referred to as “free-form design or “wave front technology “. Premium progressive lenses provide a wider,reading area. Vision is often clearer, these lenses are usually 100% digitally surfaced or ground.
This customizes the prescription for you as well as the frame you desire. The lens is customized so all ranges of power fit nicely into almost any frame. They are generally much easier to adapt to and have much less “swim”, effect or feeling dizzy with head movements. Sometimes these lenses feel like you are not wearing a multi focal lens at all.

Ground view progressive lenses

Ground view progressives are good for active patients who like outdoor activities such as golf. They provide a “ground view “ advantage that is supposed to resemble natural vision. They provide another area at the bottom and sides of the lens that allows for better vision when looking down at the ground.

Benefits of Progressive Lenses

1. Seamless progression between all distances of vision.
2. No distinction between powers within the lens.
3. Most popular lens for anyone with presbyopia who wear eyeglasses.
4. Expanded intermediate zone for better computer vision.
5. A more fashionable and younger look.
6. Better viewing. Blends their prescription making it easier to view words and objects. No longer with image jumping as it does with bifocals and trifocals.
7. Convenient- having three different viewing distances you will no longer have to carry multiple pairs of glasses for multiple uses.
8. Because of gradual shift between lens strengths, progressive lenses are easy to get used to, and make a natural transition from single vision to a progressive lens.
9. Progressive lens glasses offer precision vision correction under many circumstances. Everybody’s vision is different,and progressive lenses allow you to see clearly in a variety of situations without switching glasses.
10. Progressive lenses do away with the line, which makes it easier to adjust.
11. The visible line in bifocals and trifocals can cause eye fatigue. Progressive lenses eliminate the threat of eye fatigue for a more comfortable experience.
12. Presbyopia most often affects patients in their late 30’s and 40’s, the lines are often associated with the aging process. Progressive lenses are seamless for a more youthful appearance.

Drawbacks of Progressive Lenses

It takes time to adjust to progressive lenses. You need to train yourself to look out of the lower part of the lens when reading, to look straight ahead for distance and to look somewhere in between for the intermediate or computer work. I always tell my first time wearers that you need to give your brain and eyes time to work together with the progressive design. Typically when reading you move your eyes to read, but at first move your head to read and pretty soon the brain and eyes are in sync and you are reading without noticing any blur areas and not the need to move your head. During the adjustment period you may feel dizzy and nauseous and you may see some distortion In your peripheral vision. This goes away, the majority of wearers love their progressive lenses. Less than 10% of the population do not adapt to the progressive lens. If you are among this percentage it is good to know that there are many different styles and designs of progressive lenses. Find the one that works for you.

The progressive lens is more expensive than the bifocal and the trifocal because of the seamless design and technology involved in creating this lens.