3 Ways to Tell if Progressives are Right For You

You can always spot the moment it starts: your phone gets farther away from your face, restaurant menus suddenly seem dim, and you find yourself taking glasses on and off all day long.

These changes are incredibly common with age, but that doesn’t mean you have to juggle multiple pairs of glasses to see clearly.

Progressive lenses help you see at multiple distances in one pair of glasses without the visible lines of bifocals, but are they right for you? 

This month, Dr. Nicanor Lacsina and Dr. Yelena Pinkhasova at Bainbridge Eye Care in Bronx, New York, explain how progressives work and three reasons you might consider them.

What are progressive lenses?

Progressive lenses are multifocal lenses that gradually transition between different prescription strengths.

Instead of separate sections like traditional bifocals, progressive lenses provide:

• Distance correction at the top
• Intermediate vision in the middle
• Near vision at the bottom

Without any sharply separated sections,  your progressives create a smoother, more natural visual experience.

Even within the category of progressive lenses, there are additional customizations to consider. For example, transition progressive lenses darken when exposed to sunlight, doubling as sunglasses. Even when they’re inactive, transition lenses block ultraviolet (UV) rays and 45% of blue light.

Other types of progressive lenses include near-variable focus lenses, ideal for computer work; ground-view progressive lenses; and short-corridor progressive lenses.

Three ways to tell if progressives are right for you

You might suspect you need progressives if:

1. You are struggling to see up close

If reading texts, books, labels, or menus has become harder lately, you may be developing presbyopia.

Presbyopia is a normal age-related change that affects your ability to focus on nearby objects, typically beginning in your 40s. Although anyone older than 35 is at risk, according to the National Eye Institute, progressive lenses help correct this while still allowing you to see clearly at farther distances.

2. You constantly switch between glasses

Many people reach a point where they need one pair of glasses for driving and another for reading.

If you’re tired of constantly swapping glasses throughout the day, progressive lenses offer a more convenient option by combining multiple prescriptions into one lens.

3. You want a more seamless, modern option

Traditional bifocals have visible lines that separate each prescription area. While effective, you may not like the appearance of traditional bifocals. Progressive lenses eliminate those lines and create a smoother transition between distances.

Many people also prefer the more modern appearance and the ability to move naturally between near, intermediate, and distance vision.

What is the adjustment period like?

Progressive lenses can take a little time to get used to. Because the lenses contain multiple viewing zones, your eyes and brain need time to adjust to how you move through each section. You may notice mild distortion or need to adjust how you hold your head at first.

Most people adapt within several days or up to a couple of weeks.

How to know for sure

The best way to determine whether progressive lenses are right for you is with a comprehensive eye exam.

At Bainbridge Eye Care, we evaluate your prescription, discuss your daily activities, and help you choose lenses that support how you actually use your vision throughout the day.

To learn more about progressive lenses, schedule an appointment with Bainbridge Eye Care today. You can also reach us at 718-306-9127.