Signs it might be time to wear progressive lenses

As you age, the eye tissue responsible for focusing becomes weaker, making it more challenging to focus up close.

Progressive lenses are usually needed by anyone over the age of 40.

As we get older, we develop presbyopia, a condition that occurs with age as the eye’s focusing system becomes less flexible, making it harder to focus on reading.

What are progressive lenses?

A progressive glasses lens is a single lens containing multiple prescriptions. Optometrists often prescribe progressive glasses lenses for those who need different prescriptions at different distances.

The top portion of the glasses is targeted for distance vision (driving, watching TV and any tasks more than 6 feet away).

The middle portion of the glasses is aimed for computer or dashboard distance. The bottom portion of the glasses prescription is made for close reading (using a smartphone, tablet, reading a book).

These glasses work by specifically positioning the distance portion of the glasses over the pupil and then pointing your nose to the item you want to read.

Progressive glasses must be precisely measured in person by an optician when ordering the glasses for best vision.

Misaligned or mispositioned glasses can blur vision and cause distortion, which an optician can help to fix.

Progressive lenses vs. bifocals

Bifocals are different from progressive lenses, because they only correct far distance and close reading — there’s no computer/dashboard distance. Bifocal lenses have an actual line on the glasses that shows the different areas of prescription.

Bifocal glasses are still prescribed, but they’re not as popular, as most people need computer specific prescriptions for our increased use of computers, tablets and screens in everyday life.

Progressive lenses can be worn full-time for all tasks as a regular pair of glasses.

Signs you may need progressive lenses

You may need progressive lenses if you notice these signs:

• Blurred vision with prolonged reading or screen use
• Eye fatigue at the end of the day or after longer time periods on a computer
• Feeling the need to enlarge reading materials or hold reading materials farther away

Other conditions progressive lenses can help with

Sometimes, progressive lenses are used in other eye conditions that require more reading prescription or in younger eyes that are farsighted.

In recent years, prescription eye drops hit the market offering to reduce presbyopia symptoms. There are some issues with using the drops, including:

• Potential risk of retinal detachment, which threatens sight
• Drops aren’t always covered by insurance
• Side effects can include small pupils, irritation, redness and burning

If you’re unsure if you need progressive lenses, visit your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam and glasses exam to assess your individual needs.

How hard is it to adjust to progressive lenses?

Progressive lenses are easier to adjust to earlier in the presbyopia journey.

Most people who start using progressive lens in their 40s adjust much faster than someone who waits until later in life to try the lenses, because the prescription has to be increased as we age.

Progressive lenses usually don’t cause headaches unless they are not fitting or adjusted over the eyes properly in the glasses frame.

The best way to ensure proper glasses fit is to visit an optical shop with an in-person optician for precise measurements.

Progressive glasses that are ordered online can’t be personalized to your specific eye measurements and usually don’t provide as clear vision as glasses fit by an optician.