Sharing Our Experience and Tips for Progressives Lenses

Here are McDonald Adams we have a team who have successfully worn progressives lenses. Read our comments and advice.

Alison: I love my progressives - from my very first pair I just put them on and wore them comfortably. I love not having to change between two pairs of glasses, and find today’s coatings very beneficial - especially the anti-reflection and blue coating for digital work (I look at a screen most of my work day). Highly recommend progressive lenses - they make wearing glasses easy!

Sally: Settle your glasses down on top of your ears and nose, this way you will be getting the best vision through your progressive lenses. Remember to look straight ahead for far away, then just drop your eyes (not your chin) to look down for reading. Practice in front of TV with an easy book in your lap for your first evening or two.

Claire: A quick check revealed I have now tried 17 different progressive lens designs! These range from fully customised lenses through to the most widely prescribed progressive designs. While every person’s experience is unique, I can honestly say I don’t notice that I am wearing progressives. The field of vision is so good now that there is no apparent blur to the side at any distance.

Katrina: Progressives are easy, even with my challenging prescription. They cater for all ranges of vision from driving , looking at the speedo and then working on the computer! I have found that the elite customised designed lenses give me maximum clarity though all areas of the lens..

Getting used to your new progressive lenses

Here are our tips to adjust to new progressive lenses. Progressives can feel a bit different compared to single vision glasses (reading glasses, or driving glasses).

Keep them on. You may be tempted to switch back and forth between your new and old glasses, but don’t. The more you wear your progressive lenses, the quicker you’ll get used to them. Even if you don’t usually wear any vision correction to look across the room, or your intention is not to use glasses full time, it will help to wear them as much as possible at the beginning.

Don’t just move your eyes
Moving your eyes around the lens can cause eye strain, headaches and discomfort. Get in the habit of moving your whole head, especially when looking through your far and mid-range prescriptions. You will naturally look down when you are reading.

Position your glasses correctly
Proper alignment will make a difference. Wear your glasses up on your nose and fitting well behind your ears. This improves your field of clear vision and reduces distortion. 

Be patient
Stick with your new glasses, and you will train your brain to see properly through the lenses, and looking through the different areas of the lens will become a habit. It may take a few weeks, but you will get it! 

Enjoy your new glasses!

FAQ - Progressive Lenses

You don't have to go far to hear a bad story about how difficult it is to get used to progressive, or graduated lenses.  People might tell you about having to lift your chin, or they have difficulty when you are reversing a car. Yet many people successfully use progressives every day, ourselves included.  Here are some of the FAQs about progressive lenses.

Zones in a progressive lens.

What will I notice when I start to wear my progressives?  You will notice areas of soft focus at the edges of your vision.

Most people will move their head more in the first few days wearing progressive lenses. This quickly becomes more natural as you adjust into the correct position automatically.

We recommend tucking your chin when walking down stairs.

Will I have to lift my chin in order to read with the progressives? Once you are used to your progressives you will look through the correct zones without having to adjust your chin. Looking down will be clear for reading, and when you look into the distance you will be looking through the upper portion of the lens.

How should I use my lenses to help adapting to them?  Ideally you should wear your new progressive lenses every day from the very beginning - morning until evening. Avoid switching back and forth between your new glasses and older prescriptions.

View through a progressive lens.

Do I have to wear my progressive lenses all the time?  No. Many people successfully wear their progressives only part time, e.g. at work, or indoors at home. It is useful though to wear new glasses all day for a few days while you are adapting to the new prescription.   

I am aware of blur to the sides? Remember to point your nose at what you want to look at. You will become less aware of the vision at the sides as you use the lenses more.

Should I drive in my new progressives?  To begin with take care when driving. When you are adapting to progressives in the early days it is best not to drive with them - wait until you are confident.  

If you have any other questions about adapting to progressives contact us.