Progressive Lenses

What are progressive lenses?

Progressive lenses, also known as multifocal lenses, contain three prescriptions all in one pair of glasses. This allows you to see clearly when looking at objects at close distances, mid-range, or far distances without having to switch lenses. Progressive lenses appear seamless as you can’t see lines that separate the different lenses.

What are the benefits of progressive lenses?

Some of the main benefits you can expect when choosing progressive lenses at W. Optical include:

• Clearer vision
• Quality, designer frame options
• No need for multiple glasses
• No visible lines between lenses 
• Ease of use
• Affordability 
• Effective results

When choosing progressive lenses, you experience a smooth transition when viewing objects close up and then from far away. The team of experts will W. Optical offers designer frames like Ray-Ban®, Polo Ralph Lauren®, Coach® Eyewear, and Tom Ford frames at affordable prices.

Are progressive lenses right for me?

Between the ages of 38 to 48, humans lose the ability to focus at near. This condition is known as presbyopia. Presbyopia typically happens earlier in far sighted patients and later in near sighted patients.

When the time comes to address this problem, you have several options including reading glasses, lined bifocal glasses, contact lenses, and progressive multifocal glasses.  Of the several options, progressive lenses offer the most natural option. 

The way progressive lenses are made, the distance prescription is on the top part of the lenses, and then they gradually change to near correction as the eyes move down the lenses.  

To make the lenses have no lines and offer a progression of focal lengths, distortions are purposely put in the lower, outer edges of the lenses. These distortions vary from brand to brand. Some brands offer a wider intermediate area for computer users. Some brands have a very short central corridor for patients that choose very small frames.

The design of progressives lenses has no image jump or visible line on the lens. This enhances your comfort with your lenses and is a safer option when doing things such as driving.

Unlike lined bifocals with their two focal lengths (near and far), progressives lenses have an infinite number of focal lengths making them ideal for driving, computing, reading, shopping, etc.

To know if these lenses are right for you, the W. Optical experts review your medical history, eye health history, lifestyle, and symptoms.

What should I expect when wearing progressive lenses?

In order to make your transition into progressive lenses as easy as possible, W. Optical  recommend:

• Every 20 minutes, stop reading and look as far as you can for about a minute  
• Don’t go back to your old glasses for the first week or two
• When looking far, point your nose at the distant object
• Be a “head turner” as opposed to an “eye mover” when wearing progressive lenses
• Lower your eyes, not your head, when reading

Wear your glasses as directed by your W. Optical provider. Protect the glasses and frames by placing them in a protective case when not in use. Call the W. Optical office if your vision prescription changes over time so they can update your lens prescription. Doing so is the best way to ensure you continue to see clearly.

To learn more about progressive lenses and find out if they’re right for you, call the W. Optical office or book an appointment online today.