What Are Progressive Lenses and How Do They Work?
I think it’s safe to say that the world is constantly changing, and with this change the traditional ways we do work and take on tasks evolves.
Over the past few decades as computers and electronic devices have become ubiquitous parts of daily life, our need for clear and comfortable near vision has become that much more relevant.
On the topic of reading glasses, there is a wide variety of technologies and lenses to correct for your reading visual needs. In this blog post, I will be giving a thorough breakdown of what progressive lenses are and how these can benefit you in your daily life.
What Are Progressive Lenses?
Progressive lenses—also referred to as multifocal lenses, varifocal lenses, or no-line bifocals—are corrective lenses that are used in eyewear to correct vision disorders. What makes progressive lenses special is that they include three prescriptions in one pair of glasses, allowing the user to see a range of distances clearly.
How Do Progressive Lenses Work?
Progressive lenses have multiple layers: the top part of the lens is for distance, the middle is for mid-range vision, and the bottom is for reading. They correct multiple eyewear prescriptions with just one pair of glasses.
What Do Progressive Lenses Do?
The purpose of having a good pair of progressive lenses is to correct the wearer’s vision problems at all distances; that means near, far, and intermediate distances. Without progressive lenses, the wearer may need to carry multiple pairs of single vision eyeglasses; one pair specific for distance tasks, and another specific for near tasks
Having progressive lenses resolves that problem. It is an ideal lens to solve the concerns of a patient who is tired of switching between glasses or needing to remove their reading glasses for distance work.
Imagine an architect on a site who goes from near visions (drafts, permits, plans) to distance vision (builds, structures, materials). Progressive lenses would likely suit this lifestyle with much more convenience than single vision lenses. With a proper custom fit pair of progressive lenses, a person with changing distance needs can have his or her glasses on all day long.
Following a comprehensive eye examination with your optometrist, an updated glasses prescription would typically be provided. For an overview of how to read your updated glasses prescription, visit our guide to understanding your eye prescription post.
Progressives vs. Bifocals
Progressive lenses allow for multiple prescriptions in one lens. These lenses will ultimately incorporate your distance prescription, your intermediate prescription, and also your up close near vision prescription (known as the ADD power).
Bifocal lenses on the other hand are the lenses that you’ve probably seen, with a visible line near the bottom of the lenses. These were an older type of lens and they are not very beneficial in this day and age. The reason for this is because a good portion of our day involves looking straight ahead at a computer screen, which we call our intermediate vision.
Bifocal lenses only correct for distance and close near vision; they do not correct for our intermediate vision. On the other hand, progressive lenses differ because they include the added benefit of a no-line lens which gradually changes power as the user looks on down towards the bottom of the lens; while also correcting for the intermediate vision of the patient. Intermediate vision is used for tasks when you are looking straight ahead, such as computer usage or looking at the dashboard in your car while driving.
Progressives vs. Trifocals
Like progressive lenses, trifocal lenses also have three prescription layers; however, unlike progressive lenses, trifocals have distinct horizontal lines on the lenses that separate the prescriptions. These lines on the lenses can cause unpleasant image jump during transitions from looking at objects close up and then far away.
With progressive lenses, the three prescription layers are actually blended which creates a smooth transition for the wearer when they are looking at far away objects and want to transition quickly to look at nearby objects. Progressive lenses make your eyesight feel more like your natural vision and drastically reduce eye fatigue.
Image from Eyebuydirect.com
Progressive vs. Premium Progressive
Regular progressive lenses use the same pre-molded lens template that limits the wearer’s field of view. Premium progressives (otherwise known as digital progressive lenses) widen that field, and offer better peripheral vision and depth perception, sharper image quality, and improve the ability to see subtle differences in different lightings.
Digital progressives lenses are customized for each individual’s prescription and eliminate distortion.
How to tell if your progressive lenses are correct?
When a pair of progressive lenses is properly custom fit, the wearer should experience having nice clear vision at all distances.
Here at Della Optique, before a new pair of glasses is custom fit and dispensed, it has already gone through many quality checks for accuracy and precision.
What are the disadvantages of progressive lenses?
Let’s compare single-vision vs. progressive lenses to see whether one is more advantageous than the other.
Acclimatization Period
Probably one of the most commonly understood disadvantages to progressive glasses would be their acclimatization period. When a patient transitions from single vision lenses to a pair of new progressive lenses, the period of adjustment varies between individuals and often takes at least two weeks and sometimes up to an entire month.
As I like to say, this adjustment period is because of a different way of viewing the world and hence the brain usually needs a little time to learn and adjust to this new vision. The same reorganization takes place between the auditory nerves of the ears, and the auditory cortex of the brain, when for example a patient is first fit with hearing aids. It’s a healthy restructuring and the benefits from adjusting to progressive lenses have been well documented.
Think of it like riding a bicycle. Initially, there is a learning curve associated with learning how to ride a bicycle but once it is mastered, it is very difficult to forget. The motions become engraved into our muscle memory.
Not Ideal for All Lifestyles
Another disadvantage of progressive lenses is that for certain tasks, the spatial area within the lens designed for that specific distance may not be sufficient. In other words, because progressive lenses incorporate distance, intermediate, and near vision in one piece of glass, each distance takes up a certain area of real estate on the face of the lens. You can have only so much lens space dedicated to say, intermediate vision. What is left would be the lens space dedicated to near and distant vision.
For example, a knitter may find that using a pair of progressives is comfortable for short periods only, as the bottom portion of a progressive lens provides adequate vision for that distance. However, if the patient requires clear close vision for prolonged periods, such as many hours a day, the patient may have more comfort using a single vision lens designed to provide the user with a larger surface area to work with for that specific task.
Progressive vs. Single lens glasses (Breakdown)
| Single-vision lenses | Progressive lenses | |
|---|---|---|
| Eye condition(s) that are corrected | Farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism | Farsightedness, nearsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia |
| Prescription(s) per lens | Single optical prescription correction | Three prescriptions in one lens |
| Reading zone | Entire lens (for single vision reading glasses) | Lower part of the lens |
| Peripheral | Fewer distortions | More distortions |
| Production/Delivery time | Anywhere from 1 hour to 2 weeks depending on prescription and the need for customization | Have to be custom manufactured from scratch. It can take up to 4 weeks for delivery. |
| Versatility | Only useful to see things close up or far away—never both | Useful to see things at all distances—no need to switch glasses throughout the day |
Progressive Lenses That Work For You
We take your lifestyle choices and vision goals into the equation when we custom-fit a patient with progressive eyewear. We carry both progressive lenses and progressive contact lenses so finding a suitable match for your personal style and preference is guaranteed.
Our eyewear specialists will discuss how much progressive lenses cost and what you can expect during the adjustment and learning period.
At Della Optique, you can rest assured that a comprehensive eye health examination and vision needs consultation will set you on the right path towards a properly fit, custom pair of designer glasses.Book your vision needs consultation here.
