Progressive lenses: how to adapt to new glasses
Progressive lenses have been a major change and a big step forward in prescription lens technology compared to bifocals.
Glasses with progressive lenses are also called multifocal glasses.
Through the upper portion of the progressive lens , clear vision is achieved from a distance. While it is enough to lower the gaze to have a clear view up close.
In the middle is the area for intermediate vision, to have a medium-distance vision.
Technical characteristics of progressive lenses
Progressive or multifocal lenses are prescription lenses intended to correct multiple vision defects.
They have a variable field of view that extends progressively over the entire height of the lens.
Ophthalmic research has developed progressive lenses that are increasingly performing.
Lenses with design, materials and workmanship that guarantee high levels of customization, to guarantee excellent visual comfort.
The use of new generation progressive lenses allows dynamic and comfortable vision, thanks to wide fields of vision from near to far and great vision stability even on the move.
There are different experiences on adapting to progressive glasses.
The most common fear concerns the use of stairs and the feeling of discomfort when walking them.
The disorders are due to the fact that in progressive lenses The power gradually changes on the surface of the lens to focus from far to near. This differentiates progressive lenses from single vision lenses, in which there is only one power over the entire surface of the lens and from bifocals, in which there are two fixed powers, one to see from a distance and one to see from up close.
Here are some possible ailments, which you will no longer notice over time:
- headaches;
- depth perception problems / you are not sure how far away some objects are from you;
- dizziness or nausea;
- swaying effect;
- discomfort or insecurity walking down the stairs;
- distortion of peripheral vision that narrows the field of vision;
- difficulty wearing glasses in the first few minutes;
- difficulty focusing between different distances, intermediate and close.
These disorders may seem like a lot to you, but you may also experience none.
How to fit progressive lenses
Adapting to progressive lenses requires specific movements of the head, eyes, a slightly different posture to get the most out of the lenses.
The more customized the lenses are for your needs, the faster you won’t notice you’re wearing them.
Progressive lenses are versatile and allow you to live your personal lifestyle to the fullest.
Progressive glasses are definitely a great invention. From the age of 40/50, in addition to the normal problems of myopia or astigmatism, presbyopia begins to appear and reading becomes difficult, so our vision requires different corrections to see from afar and up close.
Single vision lenses are always valid but imagined on vacation, perhaps around a new city. On the one hand you want to enjoy the landscape in the distance and need your glasses for myopia, on the other hand you can’t help but read the tourist map or follow the road map on your smartphone. In short, a continuous taking off and putting on glasses!
Progressive lenses make life easier with three areas of vision: near, far and intermediate distance. And it is precisely on this point that the difference with respect to the old bifocal glasses is played. The absolute fluidity of passage from one vision zone to another.
Progressive lenses, precisely because of their specificity, can cause at least in an initial phase some difficulties that require a certain time of adaptation.
Difficulty adapting to progressive lenses: what are they due to?
Often there are technical reasons that can affect optimal vision. The eye exam plays an absolutely important role when choosing progressive glasses. The optician will subject you to a very careful examination and the values of your vision must be recorded scrupulously in order to guarantee you a solution suitable for your needs.
Lens fitting is essential. This is particularly true in the case of progressive glasses where, in addition to the interpupillary distance, the optician calculates the mounting height, i.e. the distance between the optical center and the lower base of the frame, with millimeter precision.
Personal looks and tastes should never be questioned. However, opticians point out that progressive spectacle wearers should choose a high frame. A lens that is too small/low would not be comfortable because the different fields of vision would not have the right space available.
In addition to the technical elements, there are of course also other subjective factors that vary from person to person. For example, the time it takes to adjust to progressive lenses tends to increase if the difference in diopters near and far is higher. The gap between the different fields of vision will be considerable.
The same thing can be said in the presence of astigmatism. Everyone needs their own time to coordinate their movements in order to make the best use of progressive lenses. In this case, only patience and the advice of opticians will play a decisive role.
Useful tips to adapt to progressive glasses quickly
To adapt faster to progressive glasses, it is essential to follow these tips:
- Wear progressive glasses as if they were the main glasses. If you change them frequently with your previous glasses, it will take much longer to adjust.
- Find and use new areas in the lenses instead of using the most obvious space. There are three main areas: far, intermediate, and near. It is important to learn how to use these areas correctly.
- Make sure you have a comfortable frame that fits your face.
- During the check-up, inform the optician of the main activities you do on a daily basis (from work to hobbies). Only by knowing all your needs, the optician will be able to suggest the right progressive lens design ideal for your lifestyle.
