How to Successfully wear Progressive Lenses
Congratulations! Now is an exciting time and you have made the rewarding decision to improve your quality of vision with progressive lenses! For cosmetic reasons as well as a more natural correction of visual concerns, progressive lenses are a great alternative to bifocal or reading glasses.
Like with any new lens, progressive lenses will take some adaptation to get used to. Follow these tips to have the most success with your progressive lenses:
- First off, begin wearing the new lenses with a positive attitude. People who approach the lenses with an open mind generally have more success with them.
- Progressive lenses are meant to be worn all day. So, though there may be some discomfort at first, stick with it – consistent wear will speed up the adjustment process. Wear them full-time for about two weeks and after completely adjusting to them, you can wear them only as needed, if preferred.
- Position your glasses correctly. Proper positioning can make a difference in how comfortable you are and how well you see, especially when you first start wearing them. Your eyewear specialist can help with this adjustment.
- Use your nose as a pointer rather than moving your eyes side to side.
- Constantly moving your eyes only from one part of the lens to the other will only cause eye strain, which can lead to headaches and eye discomfort. Plus you won’t be able to see through the correct prescription.
- Get in the habit of moving your whole head, especially when looking through your far and mid-range prescriptions. You will have to move your eyes down to access your reading prescription.
- At your workstation (i.e. computer desk), you may need to adjust the computer monitor slightly lower or desk height and your viewing distance so you are looking through the central zone.
- Until your eyes have fully adjusted to the new lenses, be careful driving, going down stairs, and stepping off curbs.
- Keep your old glasses close at hand in case of emergency until you’re comfortable with the new lenses.
What will I experience when getting used to wearing progressive lenses?
- It is normal to feel some eye strain or dizziness at first but if your eyes are very tired by the end of the day, start off wearing them for 2 hours the first day, 4 hours the next day, 6 hours the following day and so forth until you can adjust to using the lenses for the full day.
- There are some areas of soft blur at the edges of the lenses so more head movement will be required to look in the periphery to avoid the blur. (For example: You will need to turn your head not just your eyes when shoulder checking while driving)
- Also, be careful walking down stairs. Look through the top part of the lens when looking down.
- Remember that the distance prescription is at the top, the reading prescription at the bottom, and a gradual “intermediate” blending in between that is primarily used for computer work.
If you are still not completely comfortable with the progressive lenses after two or three weeks of full time wear, call to see one of our eyewear specialists for a troubleshoot at 973-942-4221. Our optometrists’ also specialize in scleral lenses and myopia management.