# I'm getting progressive lenses. Any tips? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 8, 2013, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551 "2013-01-08T22:39:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![computergeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@computergeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/computergeek)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/61 "2013-01-12T00:22:32Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > To\*\* Doug K.\*\* > > Some of us have REALLY weird eyeballs, and I don’t think any amount of “adjustment” would make progressives work. > > I don’t have normal depth perception. I can’t see Magic Eye pictures. 3D movies are agony to me. And each eyeball has a completely opposite prescription. The prescribers actually circle the numbers in red before sending the form off to the optic lab. > > So, I guess I’d give this warning to anyone nearing the “Bifocal Age”: > > If you have normal depth perception and are average in every way when it comes to eyesight, go ahead and try the progressives. You’ll probably love them. > > If you are a “special needs” child, or if your work/leisure requires you to do detail work or scanning, you’d probably be happiest with standard bifocals, and I’d even suggest you ask about the “Executive” lenses. > ~VOW I do have “weird” eyes and my progressive lens glasses are working great for me. I’m nearsighted in one eye and far-sighted (and have the “lazy eye” problem) in the other. I cannot do the depth perception test at the eye doctor (or whatever it is where your eyes have to work together to see an image). Funny enough, I went to a modern-day 3D movie after getting the glasses and didn’t have any issues with the 3-D glasses or seeing the movie in 3D. It’s clear that different people will react differently to these lenses so it seems getting them over the internet is not a good idea for anyone if it’s their first time. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/62 "2013-01-12T03:36:11Z")
> [@computergeek](#): > > I do have “weird” eyes and my progressive lens glasses are working great for me. I’m nearsighted in one eye and far-sighted (and have the “lazy eye” problem) in the other. I cannot do the depth perception test at the eye doctor (or whatever it is where your eyes have to work together to see an image). Funny enough, I went to a modern-day 3D movie after getting the glasses and didn’t have any issues with the 3-D glasses or seeing the movie in 3D. > > It’s clear that different people will react differently to these lenses so it seems getting them over the internet is not a good idea for anyone if it’s their first time. Geek: We must be related! I have every symptom, except the ability to use progressive lenses or have the 3D movie work for you. If I want to REALLY freak somebody out, I say, “Here, try MY glasses!” (I’m sure you know EXACTLY what I mean!) ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2013, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/63 "2013-01-13T16:10:55Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > There are engraved circles and numbers on my lenses. I can only see them with the glasses off and if I hold them in the light a certain way. > > Does the fact that I did not have obvious markings on the lenses mean I got a bum optician?" Possibly, but it could also mean the optician’s hands are tied by bad policy. All too often chain stores and optometrist’s offices are run by people who think “management” is a stand-alone skill that requires little or no knowledge of the products and services being provided. Many places require that all markings be removed before presenting the eyewear to the patient out of the belief that they somehow look shoddy. ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2013, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/64 "2013-01-13T16:25:49Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > At the ripe old age of 35, I’m getting progressive lenses, aka bifocals. Although the eye doctor assures me that they will look just like regular glasses and will not have those little granny windows visible in them. > > Anyway, they told me that the transition might be a little rough for the first few days so I thought I’d ask you guys if there are any good tips for easing that process. I have them and they don’t look like bifocals, and the biggest adjustment problem I had with them was in the first couple of days - stairs seemed distorted. I’m a huge klutz anyway, so it got…interesting! But after a day or two, it’s been just fine. ---
**Author:** ![sandie511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@sandie511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandie511)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/65 "2013-02-27T15:02:13Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > That’s the biggest problem with mail order. The final fitting requires the patient and optician to be across the table from each other. Now this really ticks me off. Because this was my first time with progressives I went to a ‘real’ optician (who’s been there for 20+ years) so I wouldn’t have any problems or if I did they’d be more helpful. I just returned them yesterday to go with bifocals … I so didn’t want to do but I couldn’t get use to the progressives. I wore them from 7am until 11pm for a week straight, did not once put my readers on as that is what the doc suggested when I went back a week after getting them. What ticks me off is the lady behind the desk brought them out to me to try, not the doctor and there were no dots on the lens to check for accuracy. I asked when I went back if they were made wrong and the doc checked them, but I should have asked if they were ‘placed’ wrong….I have a feeling they were made wrong but being I never wore progressives I had nothing to compare them to. So now I am waiting for my granny bifocals and of course I don’t get a refund on the progressive lenses. After reading this whole discussion when I pick up my bi-focls I am going to tell them that they’ve just lost 4 patients as I won’t be going back. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/66 "2013-02-27T15:23:49Z")
Great. I just ordered my first pair of progressives on the weekend. I know all about the issues with looking through the correct portion of the lens. Apparently it takes 2 to 3 weeks for these to be made, so I’ll check back then. I need 0.75 correction for distance tapering to 2.5 correction for reading. Am I going to be bonking into walls and falling down stairs now? ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/67 "2013-02-27T16:14:28Z")
> [@sandie511](#): > > Now this really ticks me off. Because this was my first time with progressives I went to a ‘real’ optician (who’s been there for 20+ years) so I wouldn’t have any problems or if I did they’d be more helpful. I just returned them yesterday to go with bifocals … I so didn’t want to do but I couldn’t get use to the progressives. I wore them from 7am until 11pm for a week straight, did not once put my readers on as that is what the doc suggested when I went back a week after getting them. What ticks me off is the lady behind the desk brought them out to me to try, not the doctor and there were no dots on the lens to check for accuracy. I asked when I went back if they were made wrong and the doc checked them, but I should have asked if they were ‘placed’ wrong….I have a feeling they were made wrong but being I never wore progressives I had nothing to compare them to. So now I am waiting for my granny bifocals and of course I don’t get a refund on the progressive lenses. After reading this whole discussion when I pick up my bi-focls I am going to tell them that they’ve just lost 4 patients as I won’t be going back. That doesn’t sound like you saw an optician. The eye doctor is an optometrist, not an optician. You can think of an optician as analogous to a pharmacist. You go to the optometrist (or ophthalmologist) to get the prescription, you go to an optician to get the prescription filled. Unfortunately, unlike pharmacy, most states allow anyone with a pulse to dispense prescription glasses. I hope they didn’t charge you extra to switch to lined bifocals. Progressive lenses have a 90 day non adapt warranty that comes from the manufacturer. It doesn’t refund any price difference, but it does allow you to switch to standard bifocals or trifocals at no additional cost. > [@Leaffan](#): > > Great. I just ordered my first pair of progressives on the weekend. I know all about the issues with looking through the correct portion of the lens. Apparently it takes 2 to 3 weeks for these to be made, so I’ll check back then. This ticks **me** off. It shouldn’t take more than 3 or 4 days in most cases. Not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it does raise a red flag. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/68 "2013-02-27T16:21:38Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > This ticks **me** off. It shouldn’t take more than 3 or 4 days in most cases. Not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it does raise a red flag. Costco. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/69 "2013-02-27T16:49:03Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Costco. On the optical message board I frequented until I got out of optical, Costco was said to be the only chain that pays a decent wage to opticians. I found their job description for opticians and this stood out: > [@](#): > > Certificates and Licenses > > Registered Apprentice to Licensed Optician as required by state; HAZMAT Module 1 and HIPAA certification (required within 30 days): ABO & NCLE Certification or State License where applicable (must be obtained within 3 years) So it sounds like they expect their staff to know their stuff. ---
**Author:** ![sandie511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@sandie511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandie511)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/70 "2013-02-27T17:00:55Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > That doesn’t sound like you saw an optician. The eye doctor is an optometrist, not an optician. Yes, sorry it was an optomertrist, but may as well have seen an optician or that I ordered them on line for that matter. Ugh, it is so frustrating and as I grow older and deal with eye issues I am evermore thankful I didn’t have to wear glasses as a kid, that would stink… ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/71 "2013-02-27T22:54:18Z")
I have progressives and love them. There are a couple of quirks though… Make sure to get as much top-to-bottom lens size as possible. I started out wanting some stylish narrow euro-hipster glasses but the near/far bands were too narrow. I don’t wear mine at home unless I’m sitting relatively still. Walking around with a lot of near/far transitions gives me a bit of a fishbowl effect that can turn into a headache ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/72 "2013-03-05T01:25:51Z")
Well I just picked up my first pair of real glasses tonight. I was ecstatic wearing them out of the store. These things are great! But now sitting in front of the computer, I feel like a bobble head: always having to look up for the screen, side to side for the “sweet spot.” They work just fine for every focal length, but they really are a compromise. I suppose I could still use a 2 dioptre for the computer and use the progressives for other day-to-day activities. Or maybe I’ll get used to being a bobble head. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/76 "2013-06-17T14:16:53Z")
And since then, I’ve gotten used to being a bobble head. ---
**Author:** ![KayBee01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/51bf81/32.png) [@KayBee01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KayBee01)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2013, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/77 "2013-06-21T14:22:54Z")
I just went from trifocals to bifocals because I am retired and don’t need the computer part (intermediate) part all the time and found the reading part so small I couldn’t read much with them anyway. I never could get used to progressives so have had the “lines”. So my optometrist prescribed distance on top and strong intermediate on bottom. I find it very difficult to wear my glasses when I go shopping…don’t need distance and bottom makes everything blurry. Was thinking bottom is too strong. I definitely need something or I can’t see what size things are etc but these are too strong if making things blurry…right? So was wondering what type or strength of glasses do most people use to walk around shopping etc? Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2013, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/78 "2013-06-21T14:32:56Z")
Well, the thread is about progressive lenses, and that’s what works for me. I used to just take reading glasses along for shopping, prop them on my forehead, and then pull them down as needed. Progressive lenses solve everything. The top portion is for distance, and although I don’t need them it does sharpen things up a tad. The middle portion is geared towards maybe 6 to 8 feet. The bottom part allows me to read up close, within a foot. They _progressively_ fade from top to bottom with no lines. They do take a bit of getting used to, but they are marvelous. I even got a pair of prescription safety glasses for work (when I need them). What a difference. ---
**Author:** ![fulltimewearer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@fulltimewearer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fulltimewearer)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/79 "2013-12-01T00:24:38Z")
I have worn progressives now for around 5 years, and I have a VERY complex prescription including severe astigmatism, with my left eye needing far more close correction, and my right eye far more distance correction. My latest pair are “new generation” varifocals, and I chose much larger frames to increase the “sweet spot” for reading and computer work etc. I also have a pair specifically for close work, but usually find the progressives do the job just fine, though they did take a while to get used to. I absolutely love them over all, and would be totally lost without glasses anyway, so I am extremely grateful for the technology. I also found that I had to tighten the ears up considerably more than I had ever previously needed, as you have to be looking through the right part of the lenses to see clearly. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/80 "2013-12-01T15:19:34Z")
I have progressives and love them. Just stay away from escalators for the first few days. p.s. – The only thing they’re not good for is working in a confined space, such as trying to fix something under a sink. Where you don’t have freedom to move your head to exactly the right spot to see through the right place in the lens. BUt for me that happens about once every 2 years LOL ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/81 "2013-12-01T19:05:35Z")
Judging from the responses, maybe you should do a poll. When I got progressives I put them on and they were fine from the beginning. It was the nearest thing to not wearing glasses. Oh, there are problems. I can’t read the buttons on my CD changer because it is on cabinet three feet off the grand and when I look down, I am looking through the distance part. So I have get on my knees to do that. But my wife, listening to me praise them, got a pair and could never adjust to them. Never. Obviously, YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/82 "2013-12-01T22:47:35Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > Judging from the responses, maybe you should do a poll. I posted the OP almost a year ago, so the ship has kind of sailed, I think. That said, after a week or so of adjustment, I usually don’t even remember I’m wearing progressives anymore. They seem to be working really well for me. The only real issue is that sometimes when I’m playing a computer game, I have to move my head around a lot more than I used to, in order to bring the entire screen into focus. It’s not really a big deal, though. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2013, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551/83 "2013-12-02T01:25:41Z")
I’m glad they’re working pretty well for you. Mine have never been a problem, though till recently I’ve simply been taking them off to read tiny print in low light. But my doctor told me at my last appointment that that practice might contribute to them getting worse faster. So now if I have to read really tiny print, I have to tilt my head around a bit to find the reading sweet-spot. Though I must have been using the reading spot unconsciously more than I thought, because I just tried contacts (with no presbyopia correction), and I definitely could use some cheaters from the drug store for reading with them, if the print is relatively small. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-progressive-lenses-any-tips/646551.md?page=5)