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Progressive lenses are an alternative to bifocals that many people prefer, since the seamless progression of one prescription to another makes them feel younger than having a line through the lens. However, if you hate your progressive lenses, you’re not alone. Many people get them thinking that they will like them more than bifocals, and hate them so much they go to return them.
If you hate your progressive lenses, this doesn’t automatically mean that there is something wrong with them or you. There’s a learning curve with progressives and it is an art in order to ensure that they fit correctly. Many people come to love their progressive lenses while others cannot tolerate them. If you have any concerns about your progressive lenses, it’s best to talk to your eye doctor, as they will be able to provide you with personalized advice.
Here are some common questions about progressive lenses answered, as well as some information to know if you currently hate your progressive lenses.
Are Progressive Lenses Supposed To Be Blurry On The Sides?
With glasses in general, people adjust to being able to see clearly in front of them through the lens while having the blurriness of their real vision along the sides. However, with progressives, people find that the sides of the lenses themselves can be blurry. They struggle to find focal points and get frustrated, because your lenses are supposed to bring the world into focus, not blur it.
Initially, you may notice blurriness on the sides of your progressive lenses. This is because of the change in lens strength across the lens. It takes time to adjust to this, but in time, you won’t notice it. It’s similar to how when your prescription changes, the tops of the walls might appear to be curving in for the first few days, and then you don’t notice it anymore.
If your progressive lenses are blurry on the sides, give yourself a week or two for your brain to adjust to them. If they’re still blurry after a couple of weeks, you can go to your eye doctor and have them looked at.
Adjusting To Progressive Lenses
In the adjustment period, you may find that you hate your progressive lenses a great deal. You may feel like your vision is blurry or fuzzy. You may get headaches or feel dizzy. Initially, this may seem like there’s something wrong with the lenses. However, most people adjust to their progressive lenses within a couple of weeks. Your eye doctor should have warned you about this and advised you on what you can do to make the adjustment period easier.
Some of the things that you can do to help yourself adjust to progressive lenses include:
- Wearing them as often as possible.
- Pointing your nose in the direction you’re looking.
- Making an effort to look through the correct section of the lens.
What Is The Usual Adjustment Period For Progressive Lenses?
Typically, it only takes one or two weeks for people to adjust to their progressive lenses. It can take up to a month in some cases. However, if you have not adjusted to your progressives after two weeks of consistent wear, then you should contact your eye doctor or the provider of your glasses. You may also need to switch to a different lens design.
In some cases, progressives simply may not be a good fit for you. If you’ve given them your all, done everything you were supposed to, and they were fitted correctly, you may be better off with bifocals or other types of glasses.
How To Tell If Your Progressive Lenses Fit Correctly
If you hate your progressive lenses, it could very well have nothing to do with you and adjusting and everything to do with how they were fitted. It’s an art to ensure that progressives fit correctly, as your pupillary distance, the correct height, the frame, the design, and the corridor length are all needed to ensure they work well.
If your eyewear provider skipped a step or did not fit them correctly, this could be why you hate your progressive lenses. If you go back and the eyewear provider tells you there is nothing wrong with the fit, it could be worth getting a second opinion in order to determine whether or not they are fitted properly.
If your progressive lenses fit correctly, you should be able to adjust to them and they should be comfortable to wear.
What If You Still Hate Your Progressive Lenses?
Have you done everything your eye doctor told you to, waited the two weeks, and still hate your progressive lenses? Come to Wolcott Optical. We will ensure that your lenses fit correctly. If you decide that progressives aren’t for you, we can provide you with other options. Contact us today to learn more about our services.