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Will Progressives Make Vision Worse
Josie wrote:
Hello. I got my first pair of progressive lenses in October. The distance part isn't that strong. It is – .50. From wearing them all the time will my eyes become dependent on the distance? Will I eventually need a higher distance prescription like -1.00 or higher or will it stay at -.50?
Dr Carol Doman's response:
Josie,
This is one of the biggest myths relating to eyes and vision. Wearing your glasses all the time will not make your vision worse or make you dependent on the prescription. There is a high probability that your distance prescription will stay fairly stable over time. It may change slightly, and sometimes the distance prescription may even improve slightly. What will change is the power of the reading prescription. This generally changes greatly when an individual is between their mid-forties and mid-fifties and then proceeds to level off. And similarly this change in near vision is not dependent on how much you wear your glasses, but unfortunately due to age. I hope this helps.
Dr. Doman
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Distortion While in Front of Dual Monitors
Joanna wrote:
I have received my new glasses with Nikon Online 1.5 HCC lenses. My prescription is 2.5. I work on two side by side monitors. When I move my head from side to side the whole text seems to move (distortion?) and i am getting dizzy. Are there any better lenses that could eliminate this problem?
Dr Joan Hansen's response:
Joanna, In your case you may be better with a computer reading lens where the entire lens is focused on the computer screens. All Progressive Addition lenses have some distortion at the sides, and if you need to be able to see across the room as well, you may need to have a pair of trifocals made. Trifocals are the ones with the lined reading and computer segments. Discuss this with your Optometrist and the person who made your glasses.
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Problems with Digital Bifocals
Kevin wrote:
I recently had my eyes tested and my Doc gave me a new prescription. So I went to get a new set of lenses. I was recommended to get the digital bifocal lenses. When I got them everything seemed fine. On the third day the headaches started. They got so bad I had to take them off. I put them back on the next morning and right away the headaches started. Also the far vision area was so high up on my lenses I had to tuck my chin down and almost peer over the top of my frames. That gave me headaches as well. The bottom reading area...I had to look up too high land then with my head way up move my eyes to the bottom of my sockets so to speak to see what was on the sheet of paper to read. More headaches. The far vision the reading vision and the sides were really clear but they seemed to be positioned wrong. Also when I moved my head sideways things swayed like I was drunk. My middle range vision was equal or worse than my old glasses. I thought the lenses were made wrong. This went on for 8 days. I finally put my old lenses in my frame and went back to the dispensing optician store. He checked the lens prescription with my new lens and said it was what my eye doc had ordered. I then had my eyes retested. I was assured the prescription was right. So why didn`t my glasses work. My optometrist said she had run into 3 or 4 possible case like mine and the optician said I could be only the second case. I finally had a new set Essillor Ovation+Poly Crizal Forte lenses made and I can see perfectly. I am told on rare occurrences, some people cannot wear the new digital lenses. I am trying to find out WHY?
Dr Langis Michaud's response:
Dear Kelvin
I have said many times on this blog that the patient is better served when he fills in the prescription at the same location he had the exam, with the same professional. It makes things just easier and nobody can battle about who is responsible of what… In your case, it is obvious for me that the first pair of glasses were wrongly made: the centration was obviously way off and this is why you had these symptoms to occur. This is not because digital bifocal lenses were prescribed. They were not centered well in your frame. In your case, a second problem is that the optician switched a high tech (costly) progressive pair of glasses for an old-generation not-so-sophisticated-but-working-well type of progressive lenses. You bought an Audi and you ended up with a Chevy car demo. Not exactly the perfect scenario. The only good thing is now that you see well and your headaches are over.
For anyone else who will read this, remember: it is always a better alternative to purchase the glasses where the exam was done…
Thanks for having shared your story.
Dr Langis Michaud, OD, MSc, FAAO (Dipl)
Associate Professor – U de M
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