# Ordering eyeglasses question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordering-eyeglasses-question/1033840>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 14, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordering-eyeglasses-question/1033840 "2026-10-14T19:25:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordering-eyeglasses-question/1033840/1 "2026-10-14T19:25:23Z")

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When specifying glasses for my wife online I notice that when I check the “Progressive bifocal” box a number of eyeglass styles are not available. I can’t see any distinguishing features about them. So what is the reason some do not work?

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**Author:** ![mtnmatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a3d4f5/32.png) [@mtnmatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mtnmatt)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordering-eyeglasses-question/1033840/2 "2026-10-14T19:47:15Z")

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I have been told that certain frames are too small to allow for the progressive lenses I need - so it is probably related to the size.

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**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordering-eyeglasses-question/1033840/3 "2026-10-14T20:13:48Z")

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I have progressive lenses, and to make it more complicated, a prism in one lens. I’ve had smaller frames and never been quite happy with them. Larger frames have always worked better for me.