PROGRESSIVE LENSES: CLEAR VISION AT ALL DISTANCE
What are Progressive Lenses?
Progressive lenses, such as Varilux, have no lines separating the different lens strengths, yet they provide the user with clear vision at all distances, allowing both head and eyes to stay in a natural and comfortable position when looking at objects in the distance, the intermediate zone and close up. This means no abrupt changes in lens strength, and no need to compensate with unhealthy body movement patterns.
The results are, rather, simple and seamless. Eliminating the visible line in the middle of the lens also hides the fact that the user is in need of reading glasses, something many is self-conscious about.
Progressive lenses are designed so that a smooth and seamless progression of lens power runs vertically down each lens, providing clear vision at all distances and a more natural depth focus than bifocals.
WHEN DO YOU NEED PROGRESSIVE LENSES?
There are many conditions that can affect our eyes, including overlapping conditions that can cause discomfort and poor vision. Progressive lenses help correct many of these problems, as well as remove discomfort.
Here are some of the reasons why progressive lenses are required:
- The development of presbyopia often occurs around the age of 40 and causes blurred near vision. Progressive lenses are the most widely purchased lenses for correcting this condition.
- Progressive lenses can also reduce the progression of myopia, and can correct astigmatism.
- Progressive lenses are recommended for people in need of correction of near- and distance sight.
Adaption time for progressive lenses can range from minutes to days, depending on your specific vision problem. Consult an eye doctor or optician for tests and personalization of your lenses.
Getting your eyes checked regularly is an important investment, both in your current and future health. Visit your eye care specialist today to determine if you have any undiagnosed eye conditions or if you need glasses, and which lenses are most suitable for you.
Choosing Progressive Lenses
Wearing the wrong type of glasses can cause problems beyond uncomfortable or poor vision. It can cause headaches and even migraines, due to the squinting and straining to compensate for the wrong glasses.
Often, we choose the wrong glasses or need multiple pairs, because some patients can have trouble reading or viewing things up close, as well as focusing on objects in the distance. Rather than carry two pairs of glasses or struggle with your vision, many people use bifocal or progressive lenses. We explore what’s different and what you should choose that suits your needs the best.
Choosing lenses with anti-reflective coating like Crizal will eliminate reflection on both sides of the glass, making activities like driving in the dark a more pleasant experience. This will also help others see your eyes clearly.
Although this is currently the peak of eyewear technology, it is impossible to create seamless multifocal lenses without the occurrence of unwanted aberrations, or irregularities creating distorted vision somewhere in the lens. These aberrations might cause the peripheral vision to appear slightly blurry, especially when looking down, or create a “swim effect” (the sensation of being out of balance) during rapid movements of the head. For most people, these are minor issues that disappear as they get used to their new lenses, and technological advances in the development of progressive lenses have eliminated or minimised most of these negative side effects.
To make sure that the lenses are tailored to your specific needs, your eye-care specialist will measure your eyes and eyeglass frame in order to carefully adjust the lenses to suit your eyes. Today we have a wide range of progressive lens designs to fit almost any need and lifestyle.
BENEFITS OF PROGRESSIVE LENSES
If you are planning to get progressive lenses, these are the following benefits of using such type of lenses:
Useful for correcting nearsightedness as well as farsightedness.
- Corrects astigmatism to allow even focus of light on the retina.
- Offers the benefit of multifocal lens without the distracting multifocal line.
- Cuts out the image jump that you may experience with trifocal or bifocal lenses.
- Can be worn while driving as you can see at all distances with ease.
- Can have an anti-reflective coating or anti-scratch coating added to prevent glare or reduce scratches.
Bifocal Lenses: A Thing Of The Past?
Bifocals have a visible line in the middle of the lens, separating it into two different lens strengths. They provide clear vision when looking at objects at a distance (the upper part of the lens), as well as looking at objects close up (lower part of the lens), though looking at objects in between can pose some challenges. Critically, this is where most of the activities in our daily lives happen, from grocery shopping and working on our computers to engaging in face-to-face conversations.
Because of this, people often find themselves switching between the upper and lower parts of the lens by either moving their eyes up and down, or by changing the position of their head. This can be both tiring and annoying, and can cause strain to the muscles around the eyes as well as the neck – well-known causes for headaches. The abrupt changes in lens strength when moving the eyes up and down can also cause nausea and dizziness. Even trifocal lenses pose some of the same challenges, as these lenses are also separated by visible lines.
Progressive lenses, on the other hand, eliminate these problems.
HOW DO PROGRESSIVE LENSES WORK?
Your near vision tends to decline as you age. To understand how progressive lenses work, your eye doctor will first check your distance prescription. You will need to move and adjust the position of your head through different sections of the lens.
This is because multiple vision fields in the progressive lens allow you to look down to read, from straight ahead at objects in a moderate distance and look up to see something at a greater distance. In the case of progressive lenses, all of this can be done without having to change the lenses.
WHERE CAN I BUY THE BEST PROGRESSIVE LENSES IN INDIA?
To buy the best progressive lenses in India, it is not enough to decide on the basis of the price and the brand alone. You will need to be sure that you are able to procure a pair of progressive lenses that are correctly structured to help you see clearly. If you are looking to buy suitable progressive lenses, Essilor can help you find the right pair.
If you need help with selecting the right pair of progressive lenses for yourself, speak to your ophthalmologist, carry out a cost-benefit analysis while taking other factors into consideration and find the right progressive lens for you on our website.
Alternatively, check out the Store Locator to find our nearest store and let us help you find the perfect progressive lenses for you.
FAQ
What is the difference between Progressive Lens, bifocal and trifocal?
Unlike the visible lines on bifocal and trifocal lens, progressive lens allows you to smoothly move from near vision to intermediate vision. Trifocal lenses correct the problem related to intermediate viewing while bifocal lenses are divided into two parts, with the upper portion being used to see things at a distance and the lower part allowing you to view things up close.
Which are better progressive lenses or bifocal lenses?
If you have progressive lenses, then you will be able to correct your vision for viewing faraway things, intermediate viewing and near viewing as well. Thus, progressive lenses are made up of three prescriptions in a single pair of glasses.
How can I tell if a lens is progressive?
If you have progressive lenses, then you will be able to correct your vision for viewing faraway things, intermediate viewing and near viewing as well. Thus, progressive lenses are made up of three prescriptions in a single pair of glasses.
How long does it take to get used to progressive lens?
With regular use, it takes about a week or two to get used to progressive lenses, especially if you have been used to wearing bifocal lenses. It is also important to follow any specific instructions that your eye doctor may ask you to follow during this time to avoid any inconvenience.
Are progressive lenses the same as Varifocals?
Yes, progressive lenses are the same as varifocal lenses though the former term is more popular in regular usage. The term varifocal comes from the variability of the lenses’ focal power.
Tips for Adjusting to Progressive Lenses
One of the simplest ways to adjust to your progressive lenses would be to allow yourself some time to adjust naturally with the lenses while keeping your doctor informed for any further instructions. Also, ensure that the glasses have been customised for your eyes. Wear your progressive lenses as often as you can and avoid switching between your old glasses and new ones.
Curious about progressive lenses?
Ask your optician about Varilux, the most advanced progressive lenses in the world
