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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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On-going Problems with Progressive Lenses
Kevin wrote:
Dear doctor, I have new progessive glasses and when I look down midway to bottom while my head turns from left to right , the side I am looking to gets higher ( kind of curved up ) while the side my head is turning away from appears to drop ( curve down ) . Then visa versa when I rotate my head back. It is like teeter tottering, but more than that … maybe like as if there was a giant ball under everything I am looking at and that the ball moves wherever my head turns. I have top of the line lenses. Had the pupils centered and everything my doc could think of to do . He has never come across this problem before. I have given it 7 months now to try to adjust , but it just isn't happening. It is an awful visual experience. I really want the convenience of progressives and wonder if you have encountered this and if you have any ideas for how to make these glasses work for me? Kevin
Dr Joan Hansen's response:
Kevin, In order to eliminate the lines of a traditional lined bifocal or trifocal, Progressive Addition Lenses (PAL) gradually change the curves on the lens surface. This does cause some distortions in the periphery of the lens. It sounds like you are very sensitive to these distortions, and your best option may be a lined trifocal. You might try reading the explanation on the website allaboutvision at www.allaboutvision.com/lenses/progressives.htm. Particularly look at the section on “advantages of PALs” and “Adapting to your PALs”. You might also ask your eyeglass provider to adjust your glasses differently – panning them in and wrapping them, as this sometimes makes the distortions less noticeable.
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Midrange in Progressive Lenses
Iris wrote:
Is it true that there are new progressive lenses(digital, free form, etc) which offer more midrange? I have given up progressives because they were so squeezed down to a tiny midrange.
Dr. Sally Aldayeh's response:
Hi Iris,
There is new technology always, and progressive lenses are only getting better with time, However they are not for everyone. Optical dispenser are able to demonstrate roughly how much peripheral distortion versus working area each progressive design has. It is always worth looking into
Thank you Iris
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