Progressive glasses are a modern optical device that helps people with presbyopia see clearly at any distance. Thanks to their unique feature – the presence of multiple focus points – progressive glasses become an alternative to the outdated bifocals and trifocals.
What are progressive glasses for vision, their features
Among multifocal glasses (with several focal lengths) for a long time there were only two types – bifocal and trifocal. But they had a number of shortcomings. Glasses with progressive lenses, unlike their predecessors, have not two or three focal lengths. In them, the optical zones are formed smoothly. Therefore, there are no jumps in the image when looking from a near distance into the distance.
Glasses for vision with progressive lenses do not have clearly defined transition boundaries between lens sectors with different diopters, so the lens looks more aesthetically pleasing.
Special glasses with progressive lenses provide the patient with good vision at all distances. They replace several pairs of glasses at once – “for reading” and “for distance”, and also perfectly “show” the picture at medium intermediate distances.
Bifocals or progressive glasses
Bifocals were the first presbyopia spectacle correction product that the patient could use in everyday life. With their invention, there was no need to have two pairs of glasses. But progressive optics is still more convenient, and therefore the cost of progressive lenses for glasses is higher than that of their predecessors. The main differences between bifocals and progressive glasses are listed below. Also note the features of “reading glasses” and trifocals.
| Characteristic | Single vision glasses (for reading) | Bifocals | Trifocals | Progressive glasses |
| near vision | Correct | Correct | Correct | Correct |
| far vision | Do not correct | Correct | Correct | Correct |
| Vision at medium distances | Do not correct | Do not correct | Correct | Correct |
| The need to have an extra pair of glasses | In the presence of myopia, additional “glasses for the distance” are needed | Missing | Missing | Missing |
| Continuous field of view (smooth transition between optical zones) | Present. The glasses have only one optical zone – “for near” | Missing | Missing | Present |
| Aesthetics | Aesthetic, there are different types of frames and designs | May have thick lenses with well-defined zone boundaries. Look less aesthetically pleasing | May have thick lenses with well-defined zone boundaries. Look less aesthetically pleasing | Aesthetic, there are different types of frames and designs |
How comfortable special glasses with progressive lenses are, depends largely on the quality of the product. If you have chosen the right optics and taken into account all the individual parameters in the manufacture of glasses, then you just have to get used to them and enjoy comfortable vision.
Patients note an improvement in the quality of life when using progressive glasses in 90% of cases.
Progressive glasses: selection rules
An experienced ophthalmologist not only follows the rules for the selection of progressive glasses, but also carefully diagnoses vision. The first step at the appointment with the ophthalmologist is an examination of the organs of vision:
- far and near visual acuity is determined – in the presence of myopia and hypermetropia, the parameters for the lenses are different;
- it is important to know about the presence of astigmatism for the correct manufacture of glasses;
- an examination of the fundus is carried out and the risk of developing cataracts is determined;
- parallel diseases of the eye and possible contraindications to progressive glasses are also determined.
The algorithm for selecting progressive points is as follows:
- determination of the intercenter distance – the distance between the centers of the pupils, which provides a convenient location of the lens in front of the eye;
- calculation of the addition corridor is the difference in diopters for far and near vision;
- pantoscopic angle, or the angle of the frame, at which vision will be as comfortable as possible;
- definition of vertex distance – the distance from the pupil to the surface of the lens.
Further, the doctor offers frame options and additional options for lenses – anti-reflective coating, anti-dust surface, darkening. At the end, the ophthalmologist issues a prescription for glasses, with which you can contact the optician or order glasses at the Eximer ophthalmological center from qualified, proven masters.
Prescription for progressive glasses
A prescription for progressive glasses is issued by an ophthalmologist. It is better to entrust this moment to a qualified doctor, since it is quite difficult to choose progressive glasses. It is also necessary that the craftsman make the product with guaranteed accuracy in accordance with the recipe.
If you need to order standard progressive glasses, the prescription includes 4 main parameters:
- SPH sphere. Actually, the optical power of the lens zones with “+” or “-”, depending on your needs.
- Cylinder (CYL). The degree of optical power for astigmatism.
- Axis. Degree value for determining the axis of the cylinder with astigmatism.
- Addition (Add.) An increase for age-related farsightedness.
The features of the eyes can be different, so two lines with parameters are usually written – for the right (OD) and for the left (OS) eye.
An individual prescription for progressive glasses takes into account other important parameters:
- frame height;
- pantoscopic lens angle;
- vertex distance.
These criteria are very important for the glasses to be as comfortable as possible, have a short adaptation period and fit well on the patient’s face. When ordering an individual recipe, you can also take advantage of additional options, such as ordering an anti-reflective coating.
If the glasses are not made correctly
The selection of progressive glasses can only be carried out by an experienced ophthalmologist, and the product can be made by a professional master optician.
All progressive glasses take some getting used to, don’t be surprised if you experience discomfort and headaches during the first month of wearing. But be sure to contact the master who made the glasses if you observe the following:
- distortion in the peripheral region;
- when reading and working “nearby”, you need to lift glasses from the bridge of your nose;
- when looking at a distant object, you need to tilt your head;
- there are fuzzy images in different areas of the lens;
- the reading area is too small, it is difficult for you to focus your eyes in this area.
In these cases, additional adjustment of the product is required.
Progressive office glasses
Progressive office glasses are an optical option that suits people who often read, write, work at a computer monitor. These glasses are of several types:
- Progressive goggles with a wide intermediate zone. Important for people who work behind the screen for a long time. Thanks to the extended intermediate zone, they are ideal for working on “digital” distances. These glasses can be used not only for the office, but also as everyday optics.
- Progressive glasses for the room. Provide comfortable performance of daily functions when reading and writing. But in these glasses the far vision zone is reduced, so it will be difficult to read signs and see distant objects on the street and in the store. This does not mean that you will not see anything in the distance, just that your vision will not be as clear as with traditional progressive glasses.
- Glasses with a “super close” zone. These are unique gadgets designed to provide excellent vision at a distance of up to 1 m. They are suitable for those who sit at a monitor or smartphone most of the day.
- Glasses with accommodation support. The lenses in these glasses have a so-called “relaxation zone”. It provides the eyes with rest during prolonged work and stress. Glasses allow you to see well up close, while not letting your eyes get tired quickly.
If you want to purchase eyeglasses separately for the office, check with your ophthalmologist.
Frame for progressive glasses
Frame for progressive glasses is selected separately. There are several options for “frames” for glasses. It is better to choose a frame that can accommodate small lenses. Glasses that are too wide can “stretch” images and make focusing difficult. But the frame should not be very narrow. The optimal height is from 30 to 40 mm.
It is better to give preference to straight frames. Curved can create additional difficulties in adaptation. If you are ordering progressive lenses separately, please note that they must fit into the selected frame.
As for the material, it is better to choose metal or thick plastic – so the lenses will hold on tighter.
Choice of progressive eyewear at the Eximer Center
As a professional ophthalmological center, Eximer offers a wide range of services for the choice of optical correction. You can order progressive glasses from us by coming to a consultation in person. The ophthalmologist conducts an examination of the organs of vision and helps to choose the best version of progressive glasses in each individual case. The following parameters are taken into account:
- available budget;
- the severity of the development of presbyopia;
- desired frame and lens shape for glasses;
- the purpose of use is for the office, for reading, and others.
In addition, you can use other correction options:
- selection of contact multifocal lenses is a more aesthetic option compared to glasses;
- laser correction of presbyopia using a unique technique available in Ukraine only at the Eximer center.
Do not select glasses and lenses on your own – it is better to contact a specialist for an appointment. Indeed, in the presence of certain pathologies of the eye, progressive glasses cannot be worn. They can only be identified during professional diagnostics.
Disadvantages of progressive glasses
The disadvantages of progressive glasses include contraindications to their use:
- Strabismus. The eyes see different parts of the lens at the same time, one eye can fall into the “plus” zone, the other into the “minus”.
- Cataract. Violation of focus will not be able to ensure the translation of the gaze into the desired area.
- Nystagmus – involuntary movement of the pupil can make it difficult to see at any distance.
- Anisometropia – different diopters in two eyes with a big difference.
There are other disadvantages of progressive glasses:
- the presence of an adaptation period, which can last up to 2 months;
- lose in aesthetics in comparison with contact lenses;
- the presence of blind spots on the sides of the lens;
- relatively expensive price for quality glasses from leading European brands.
You can put up with all the shortcomings of spectacle correction, because this option remains one of the most popular even today.
Progressive Glasses: addictive
Before you buy glasses with progressive lenses, you need to take into account the habituation factor. And this means that a prescription for glasses should be written by a real professional. Satisfying the needs of the patient, which he expects from multifocal glasses, is sometimes very difficult.
On average, getting used to glasses lasts from 2 weeks to 2 months. It all depends on the individual capabilities of the body and the correct manufacture of optics.
How to get used to progressive glasses? If you have purchased such glasses, then getting used to it may take less time if you follow a few rules:
- Don’t wear your old “myopic” or “reading” glasses anymore. The eyes must adapt to the new ones.
- Carefully go down the stairs and down the hill – lower your head a little down, this helps to focus your eyes correctly.
- Practice several times a day to shift the focus to different distances – near, medium and far. This will help you quickly react in everyday life when you need to change your “point of view”.
- When looking to the side, also turn your head, as progressive glasses can lose peripheral vision.
After a period of adaptation, you will be able to appreciate the benefits and convenience of your new glasses.
Cost of glasses with progressive lenses
The most optimal option for correcting presbyopia is progressive glasses, the price for them is the most affordable (compared to how much contact lenses cost, moreover, they need to be changed more often). If you decide on laser correction, then before the operation you still need to train your eyes in multifocal optics. Thus, they quickly get used to the result of the operation. Therefore, it is recommended to wear progressive glasses for presbyopia for some time to all patients with age-related farsightedness.
At the same time, the cost of progressive glasses is higher than that of single-vision and bifocals. But simple math shows that one pair of progressive glasses is cheaper than ordering two pairs of “reading glasses” and “distance glasses” at once.
Ordering progressive glasses
You can buy progressive glasses in any optician, but it is better to order them in a professional ophthalmological clinic, namely in the Eximer center. Experienced optometrists select the most comfortable version of progressive glasses in each case. This saves you the further hassle of getting used to, the headaches associated with changing glasses if they don’t fit you.
