Considering progressive lenses glasses

[Simba's Mom]

Has anyone here tried progressive lenses, I'm especially interested in those who were bifocal wearers. I've worn bifocals for years and was thinking of trying progressive lenses However, I'm concerned-is it a big adjustment? Might I not get used to them? DH has worn them for years, but he never had bifocals beforehand. So I was wondering-what do you think my chances are of successfully wearing progressive lenses after years of bifocals? I'm just thinking they might make me look less old.

 

[ols386]

I have them. I got progressives when I got bifocals. I never had one bit of problem getting used to them. I love them. I didn't think I could stand to have had the ones where that line could be seen.

 

[Lanshark]

I have progressives but only wore the readers before. It took me awhile to get used to them but I love them now. It is VERY important that the correct measurements are done and that the progressive is positioned correctly with your pupil. When I first got them they were not adjusted correctly and I couldn't use them at all. I set them aside and went back to the readers for a few months then went back to the dr office where they were adjusted. It was like night and day. I have 20/20 distance vision but can't read a lick with out them. Since I teach I was tired of taking my glasses off and on all day. Just be patient. They do take a few days to get used to.

 

[ols386]

I have progressives but only wore the readers before. It took me awhile to get used to them but I love them now. It is VERY important that the correct measurements are done and that the progressive is positioned correctly with your pupil. When I first got them they were not adjusted correctly and I couldn't use them at all. I set them aside and went back to the readers for a few months then went back to the dr office where they were adjusted. It was like night and day. I have 20/20 distance vision but can't read a lick with out them. Since I teach I was tired of taking my glasses off and on all day. Just be patient. They do take a few days to get used to.

Good point! If the measurements are not correct, they will do you no go whatsoever. I ran into that problem once, and they had to completely re-do (basically give me new lenses).

When I first took them back, they tried to tell me it was just me, and that I had to give it time to adjust to them. I said no way, so they redid them.

 

[erincon23]

I've had bifocals on and off for years, and several years ago, got new progressives. I also had to have them redone -- figured out, at least for me, that I needed a slightly larger eyeglass frame and have to have the progressive begin as low as possible, because if it starts where they want it to, it's actually right in my field of vision for distance (TV, driving, etc). I don't care if I have to tilt my head a little bit to read, but I couldn't drive with everything blurry! Make sure you go somewhere that will redo the lenses if you need them to, and ask about being able to start the progressive low in the lens.

 

[leebee]

I have vertigo and couldn't tolerate them AT ALL. The continuously changing vision field made me so sick! Give me a line any time... at least it's a clear-cut change instead of this constantly moving thing. After 5 days of non-stop vertigo and motion sickness, I gave them up (and yes, it was 5 days of not doing anything; if I had my glasses on, I was sick. If they were off, I'd get over my nausea BUT I couldn't SEE anything!)

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I went from one year of bifocals to progressive. It took me a while to get used to them and as stated you need a really proper reading on where the change is or forget it.

If you choose to change, make sure they will remake them free of charge if the RX is off.

 

[denisem]

From the 1st day I needed bifocals, I ordered progressives with absolutely no problems.

However, not all opthamologists are equal. Last year new glasses + less than stellar fitter = problems. Went back & a simple adjustment to fit resolved the issue.

FWIW, I'm nearsighted & mentioned I worked all day on computers. The opthamologist suggested another pair for that purpose ("Yeah...he just wants me to spend more money! ). Extra money was well worth the issue of bobbing my head up & down all day.

 

[Swimnoid]

I have trifocal progressives and a very small frame and I have no problem at all with them. It didnt take long at all to adjust.

 

[Disney Ella]

I have vertigo and couldn't tolerate them AT ALL. The continuously changing vision field made me so sick! Give me a line any time... at least it's a clear-cut change instead of this constantly moving thing. After 5 days of non-stop vertigo and motion sickness, I gave them up (and yes, it was 5 days of not doing anything; if I had my glasses on, I was sick. If they were off, I'd get over my nausea BUT I couldn't SEE anything!)

I gave them up for the same reason, but I'm very prone to motion sickness. DH has them and never had a problem adjusting to them. I also didn't like turning my head constantly to read and only being able to clearly see four or five words at a time.

 

[goofyernmost]

I've had progressive for years and have never really had a problem with them. Then about two years ago I had an accident where I thought I was on the bottom step of a staircase but actually was on the one up from there. I missed the bottom step (partially) and did some serious damage to my right leg in the fall.

I later noticed that I was having a problem with actually seeing the lay of the land, highs and low and getting a perspective on just how far away I was from something and it started to bother me when walking on uneven surfaces.

I still use them because my range of vision, overall, is much better, but I am quite careful on stairs and hilly areas.

 

[lsyorke]

I tried them and hated them. I felt that my field of vision was SO compromised that it wasn't worth it. I went back to traditional bifocals.

 

[FergieTCat]

I've had progressive lenses for about 10 years and I adjusted to them immediately and never had a problem. I do notice that sometimes I have a problem with depth perspective, but not enough to cause any hardship.

 

[bookgirl]

Hate them I have no midrange comfort and I'm constantly twisting my head around to find a 'good' spot. I even spent a extra hundred for laser surfaced progressives. My next pair will be a regular bifocal maybe a no line but no progressives.

I will tell you I don't wear large framed glasses and supposedly the larger the lens the better progressives will work. So if you like the smaller glasses they have no 'room' to make better progession.

They have double checked my measurments and I've had a least one set re made.

I've had my current progessives for a year, so it's not a matter of getting used to them. I also have really bad astigmatism, so that may affect it as well.

 

[SeaSpray]

I wear progressives. They're not perfect in the sense that you do need to find the right spot on your lense for the specific thing (distance) that you're looking at. But for me, the pros outweigh the cons. I'd definitely order progressives again for my next pair of glasses because I can't imagine a regular pair of bifocals being any better, in my specific case, and I think that the line would bother me.

 

[rlduvall]

Personally, I hate my progressive lens.

I am farsighted, [or is it nearsighted - I never can remember] but also need significant readers. I wouldn't do regular bifocals either - due to vanity. Instead, I had a pair for distance and a pair for reading - a real hassle at a restaurant. I finally gave in to the progressive hype and paid $450. for a pair of glasses - WITH INSURANCE.

I constantly struggle to find my reading 'line' - and I know they have been adjusted properly. It's just I'm hyper, Type A and want to be able to get to my reading 'line' immediately. Plus, I always pick "frameless" frames so the actual eyeglass size isn't huge. In fact, right now I am sitting at the computer with a broken set of "readers" that literally have been duct taped until I can get a new pair. My boss thinks I'm nuts.

I'm 47 and as soon as my opthamologist says my eyes have stopped adjusting significantly, I am going for Lasik. Yes, I know I will still most likely need readers, but I'm fine with that.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I tried them and hated them. I felt that my field of vision was SO compromised that it wasn't worth it. I went back to traditional bifocals.

Me too. I move my eyes to look around (looking to right or left with peripheral vision) rather than moving my whole head. With progressives you have to move your whole head to get a good focus . . . really messed me up and made surveillance difficult.

 

[SharonZ]

I've had progressive since I needed bifocals, and love them. I also wear monovision contacts, one lense for distance, one for closeness and they are great!

 

[disney1990]

I tried them and hated them. I felt that my field of vision was SO compromised that it wasn't worth it. I went back to traditional bifocals.

I too had progressives and hated them. I paid a fortune for them and never could get used to them.

 

[bjgrazi]

I got my first pair this year. I had no problem getting use to them. I don't even realize that I wear them. My husband took a bit longer to get use to his. His problem was when he laid in bed to watch TV.

When I first got them I was told not to drive with them for a few days till I got use to them. I was driving the next day because I couldn't figure out what I had to get use to.