If you need multifocal corrective lenses to improve both your near- and far-sight, there’s another option besides bifocals: progressive glasses and contact lenses. Rather than a harsh line separating the near and far areas of the lens, they have a smooth shift in focusing across the entire lens.
Once wearers get used to them, they typically love progressive lenses. The act of switching between the high/far and low/near sections of the lens is gentler on the eyes. Progressive glasses look nicer to other people as well, and don’t disrupt the look of your face like bifocals can.
However, they definitely take some getting used to.
Learning To Love Progressive Lenses
1 – Get them sooner, rather than later
Basically, if the difference between your near and far sight is minimal, it’s easier to get used to progressive lenses. So it’s best to get progressive lenses early on. They’re easier to learn to use, and then if your eyesight worsens over time, it’s less disruptive when you get a new prescription.
2 – Do NOT go back to your old lenses
This is true whenever you get new glasses or contacts, but it’s particularly important here. Accept that it will take a few days to adjust to your progressive lenses, and try to work with them. If you swap back and forth with your old lenses, it’ll only slow down the adjustment process.
3 – Turn your head more
Progressive lenses provide the best view when you’re looking at something straight on. Otherwise, they can become a bit distorted when looking from the sides. So one key aspect of adjusting to progressive lenses is to rely less on your peripheral vision and eye movement. Don’t give things the side-eye, look at them directly.
4 – Take stairs slowly at first
Stairs are a problem for new users of progressive lenses. Because of their design, when you’re looking straight ahead, your feet and the stairs will seem blurry, which can be disorientating. Go slowly to regain your confidence. If you need to look down at your feet, remember to move your whole head rather than just moving your eyes.
5 – Practice with books
Books are good for learning how the change in focus between far and near vision works. Pick a specific word to focus on, then start moving both the book and your eyes around. You’ll quickly get a feel for how the lenses work, as the word comes in and out of focus.
But trust us: Progressive glasses are worth the effort! If you’re still using bifocals or trifocals, contact Valley Eyecare Center to discuss an upgrade to progressive lenses
