Challenges of progressive lenses: what you need to know before choosing them

1. Adaptation period

Progressive lenses work by integrating several dioptric powers into a single lens, which means your eyes will need time to adjust. Since your brain needs time to learn where to look, you might need to consciously identify each visual field (distance, intermediate, and near) and be mindful of which part of the lens you’re looking through. Otherwise, you may experience unclear vision or dizziness. For some people, this adaptation period may last a few days or even weeks.

2. Challenges in normal activities like climbing stairs

Some people wearing progressive lenses for the first time feel uncertain when climbing or descending stairs. This happens because the wearer looks through the lower part of the lens, where the near vision field (reading) is located. One solution is to look through the intermediate field (somewhere in the middle of the lens). You can do this by looking slightly ahead of your feet or by tilting your head a little more to look through this part of the lens.

3. How to calculate the cost of progressive lenses?

Although progressive lenses require a higher investment, they last longer and save space. The increased cost is due to the advanced technology needed to manufacture progressive lenses, as well as the precise adjustments to each person’s needs. In addition, a pair of progressive glasses is essentially three pairs of glasses: one for distance, one for intermediate, and one for near vision. With the correct correction at any distance, your eyes will be more relaxed, reducing the risk of increasing diopters.

4. Not ideal for certain activities

While progressive lenses are designed to be versatile, they are not always the best choice for activities that require constant focus at a single distance. For example, if you spend a lot of time reading or working on the computer, you might feel uncomfortable since the area dedicated to near vision is relatively small. In such situations, it’s recommended to use a pair of office glasses or monofocal lenses specific to your working distance.

5. Learning correct usage

Wearing progressive lenses requires time and patience. Just like every pair of glasses forces us to look only through the lens surface limited by the frame, progressive lenses impose certain requirements. For example, you need to learn to move your head, not just your eyes, to use the different zones of the lens properly. To see clearly at a distance, you need to look straight ahead, and for reading, you need to lower your gaze and use the lower part of the lens. In these cases, you just need to lower your eyes. However, for left-right movement, especially at intermediate and near distances, you need to move your head slightly. This way of looking might feel unusual at first and may take time to become natural.

Can I injure myself by wearing progressive lenses?

The risk of injury increases with decreased mobility or lack of attention. Properly worn progressive lenses do not compromise the wearer’s safety.

Conclusion

Progressive lenses offer a great advantage, especially for those who need correction for different vision distances, but you should also consider their challenges. If you’re thinking of getting progressive lenses, discuss with your optician or ophthalmologist to ensure they are the best choice for you. Each person is different, and what works for some may not be ideal for others.