Figured this would be a good place to ask: how to get used to progressive lenses
Posted by Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 86 comments
I have been using readers for 10 years. Currently at the highest, I think, 3.75 or 4. Had my first eye appointment and doc gave me a script for “real glasses.” Just put them on an hour ago and I am having a hard time not putting them back in the box and grabbing my readers again. For one, the space for the bifocal part is so small. Almost half of the lenses are blurry to me. I’m almost dizzy and feel a headache coming on. Is there a learning curve? TIA
btc6000@reddit
Never could get used to them, everything was distorted - trapezoidal is the best I can describe. Went back to readers and just cope the rest of the time.
Pretend-Read8385@reddit
My experience in going to progressives was that it took 1-2 days to get used to them. It is my understanding that the brain needs time to adjust its understanding of what you’re seeing in the glasses. Now every time my prescription changes it’s like a day max for everything to look normal again.
In the meantime, walk more slowly and be careful. Moving quickly can look like everything is going sideways.
hva_vet@reddit
I had to spend more to get wide corridor progressives. They give you a wider field of view in the middle "intermediate vision" part of the lens. Your brain will learn to ignore that out of focus part of the lens eventually, maybe. I had cataracts and with my new implanted lenses I don't need progressives anymore thankfully.
boommdcx@reddit
Try wearing them for short periods at a time, like twenty minutes, then take a break. Increase the time you wear them gradually. They take 1-2 weeks to really get used to imo.
ChaosTheoryGirl@reddit
I never adjusted but got multifocal contacts. They are amazing with no learning curve. Almost everything is in focus at all times. With that said there are many doctors who don’t know how to prescribe them so finding one that is good may take some time.
DaGeekGamer@reddit
Congrats!
I tried those. Never got them to work for me. I can't see the 3d pics either, so I'm sure it's a quirk in my brain.
designocoligist@reddit
I’ve worn them for about 10 years. Took a couple of days to adjust, and there is a technique of tilting your head back to use the bottom part that takes time to get good at. There are several factors that seem to cause issues with them, lenses that are not tall enough and don’t have enough room, frames that are not correctly fit to your face which is a big one, I see so many people wearing glasses that don’t fit them, they should not sit halfway down your nose and your eyes should be centered in the lens. This becomes an issue when they mark where your eye sits in the lens, when your glasses are measured with them in the correct position on your nose, but when you wear them and they are too big and slide down its gonna suck, it will never line up right. Also a lot of stores will try really hard to sell you what they have rather than maybe order the correct size/frame for your face and people end up with ill fitting glasses that they hate. I think if they fit and are made right people adjust like 99% of the time. I’m sure are people who just can’t wear them but I think most people can adjust to properly fitted progressives.
belunos@reddit
I'm currently using progressive off the shelf readers and love them. Are the prescription ones worse?
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
I’m not sure, I didn’t know they have otc progressives.
Reasonable_Smell_854@reddit
I never got used to them. Tried for a couple years and switched to contacts for distance, readers for close work. No matter what I was doing the progressive was in the wrong place.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Oh man, I hope that’s not the case for me. I passed out during the exam (vagal response) after they put in the numbing drops. It was pretty horrible. I googled it when I got home and found that a lot of people do it when they go for the contacts fitting. I canceled mine immediately. Too soon, lol.
LaeliaCatt@reddit
I went to an eye doctor for the first time in decades and also passed out after getting drops. It was just a dye drop, not even numbing. But the vagal response is pretty normal for me and happens almost any time I go to any kind of doctor. It really sucks.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Totally. I have done it a few other times during blood draws as well. I’m kind of traumatized to go back for the contacts fitting now. Will give it a bit more time I guess.
dead_cicada@reddit
I never had numbing drops for a contacts exam. The exam has always been the same as for glasses. Did I get to skip this because I started younger? I've had them for 25 years, very mild but I work with extreme details. Now they have gotten a bit stronger with age, and I just use readers as a compliment to them. I tried progressives too, but took them back. Terribly narrow for my need at work. I like the full field of view to be clear.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
I don’t know, it was my first time so I can’t say if it’s normal or abnormal. I can only say that it was freaky.
Reasonable_Smell_854@reddit
Oof. That is brutal. Based on how many people use progressives I’m betting you’ll do fine and I’m just “special” 🤣
One other quirk I have that normal people don’t is I get double vision and need prisms to correct. Distance is fine, my brain can sort it out but under 36” I get wicked doubles. Rx reading glasses for the computer solve it
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Oh dang. Never heard of that but I am new to optometry.
Reasonable_Smell_854@reddit
I have known two other people in my adult life who have it, both had surgery to correct. My optometrist who has been practicing nearly 30 years was shocked that I’d met that many cause it’s super rare.
industrialblue@reddit
I got some a few months back for the first time, the doc warned me about this and I did almost take them back. All I can say is that your brain acclimates to them and after a week or so they seem normal. And it was a game changer for me since I was having to carry two sets of glasses (or contacts and a set of readers) and switching them was a constant age reminder, but now they work for everything and I feel normal again.
RCA2CE@reddit
I got prescription readers a couple of weeks ago, I didn't need glasses to see far away things just readers. They said well the prescription in one eye is exactly the same as the "3" reader I was using but the other eye was different. So they charged me $400 and got me readers, just like yourself, I didn't like them and haven't used them yet. I still have my $12 grocery store readers on.
km1116@reddit
I gave up and got bifocals. The narrow band of actual focus on the progressives was just aggravating.
Brownie-0109@reddit
Amen. It drove me crazy.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Oh no. That is a possibility. Guess I’ll give it a week or so and see how it goes. Right now I don’t love it.
thatguygreg@reddit
It took me a day to get used to my progressives, and it’s fine now—I do have the type with a larger section in the middle than the evenly distributed top/middle/bottom, so maybe that’s worth looking at.
Ellabee57@reddit
Same, except I switched just to a Rx for reading, and I take them off when not needed. My optometrist said they couldn't do actual, old-fashioned bifocals, which I thought was very weird... I gave the progressives a week but couldn't stand having to raise my head and peer down my nose to read. I read too dang much for that, and like a normal person, I actually look straight at what I want to see.
alto2@reddit
They still make regular bifocals. It’s very odd that they’d tell you they couldn’t. Not everyone can do progressives.
Ellabee57@reddit
Yeah, I figured it was more of a "we don't want to do them" policy than that they can't. In the coming years, I have to find a place that will do them.
alto2@reddit
Definitely, because that's just BS. If they're telling customers they can't or won't when it's totally possible... I can't even imagine that that's legal. It's certainly terrible practice, and I would think optometrists would be horrified, because it's not rare for people to need bifocals. That's just awful of them and I'd have a hard time trusting an optician who tried to force me into something that doesn't work.
Wait, I just read your comment again--it was your optometrist who told you this? Not the optician? That's even more bizarre. Either way, I wouldn't trust that person to have anything to do with my eyes.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
This!
WhahWhahWhah01@reddit
First you eliminate gender.
Then you redistribute wealth.
Then you open the borders.
Then you defund the police.
GrandZebraCrew@reddit
oh it took me four weeks to get used to them. you’ll be okay.
I wore mine for two weeks and was dizzy, everything felt weird and distorted, etc. I went back to the doc for a follow up and he said, just give me two more weeks. I did and it got better.
Maleficent-Sport1970@reddit
Your brain adjusts. I don't have to think about where to look, my brain does it for me. Been wearing about 7yrs.
bluedonutwsprinkles@reddit
It is possible you will adjust if you keep wearing them. But it is also possible that the field of vision too small. If the lens is 2 inches wide, you can have vision for field that is 1/2, 1 inch or 1.5 inches. Those aren't exact measurements but just an illustration. I have progressive lenses with the widest available. They are more expensive but worth it to me.
That said, I also have single vision contacts and am thinking I want to try bifocals with mid frame and close up. As in hybrid readers. Although I wear my progressive glasses half the time.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Thanks everyone. I’m gonna give it some time and see how it goes. Sounds like it’s a toss up. I have my trusty readers on standby as needed.
michele-x@reddit
Unfortunately now progressive isn't only Pink Floyd, Dream Theather and Queensrÿche.
alto2@reddit
Most people adjust to them, but some don’t. When I got my first pair, I talked to my parents and found out that my mom took to them easily, but my dad just couldn’t do it. So she has progressives, and he has regular bifocals (now trifocals).
Your optician should have some sort of trial period, and if you just can’t hack them, should be able to replace the progressive lenses with regular bifocals, which should work better. At the very least, they should be able to free you from the annoyance of constantly having to find your readers (which is part of what got me asking about my first pair a few years ago—I was doing contacts and readers and walked into my exam saying, “Look, I just want to be able to SEE without all the fuss”).
Talk to the pros if you’re still having trouble in a few days. They may be able to make adjustments, or should be able to get you the bifocal lenses instead.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Good idea.
SnowblindAlbino@reddit
I hate them. Went through the same last winter: several years of readers of varying power, and now I "could use" a minor correction for distance. So I got some progressives. Ick: made me dizzy and they are the epitome of "jack of all trades, master of none." There just isn't enough space in the lenses for what I need most of the time, which is 1.5x for reading text on a screen at arm's length.
I went back to a stack of readers: 1.5x for screens at work, 2.0 for reading books in good light, 2.25 for reading in bed, 2.5 for doing fine work (threading needles, soldering, etc) up close.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
That’s what I’m thinking!
redhotbos@reddit
I just wear them. Forced myself to get used to them now rarely don’t have them on
snarkdiva@reddit
I adjusted within a day doing nothing special. Maybe you will too. The only time mine are annoying is if I’m wearing a mask and they get off kilter.
fiddlegirl@reddit
It takes some getting used to. Try pointing your nose at where you are going whilst walking (especially on stairs). Also ease into them — wear for a few hours at a time at first and then increase as you get used to them. I just today picked up a pair with a new prey, so I feel ya.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Thank you. I was thinking breaking them in slowly might help. Good to know.
BCCommieTrash@reddit
Falling down the stairs is also an educator.
areapomeranian@reddit
Yep. Point your nose at what you want to see.
And pay attention to your neck - mine tries to “help” sometimes when I really need to just adjust my specs and sit up straight.
DidntDieInMySleep@reddit
I've been wearing progressives (3 areas of vision, not bifocals) for about 10 years. As everyone else said, yes, give it a few days. However, it's possible the prescription is wrong--errors sometime occur when the lenses are made. Your doctor can check by doing another eye exam. Hope it works out for you.
MeatsackKY@reddit
If what you want to see is not more than an arm's length away, point your nose just over it. If farther away than an arm's length, point your nose below it. Other than that, try to look at things straight-on as much as possible. Side-eye won't ever be in focus again.
Normal-Philosopher-8@reddit
I had a pair and used them for years, then the frame broke and I went back to my old ordinary ones. Saw a huge improvement in headaches, so I’m sticking to traditional ones from here on out.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Oh man that’s what I’m afraid of. Less than an hour and I’ve already got a headache.
Normal-Philosopher-8@reddit
Give it a fair shot - most headaches do go away. But if after a few weeks they aren’t for you, that’s ok, too.
Sitting_pipe@reddit
2 pairs of glasses. Progressive lenses had me tripping over shit.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
I didn’t know there was a difference. So much to learn.
WillowLantana@reddit
I never got used to them. Screwed up my depth perception especially at night. Gave it months. Huge waste of money.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Oh goodness
CajunRoyalty@reddit
If you still have them, your old glasses on for the rest of the day. Put your new glasses on in the morning when your eyes are rested. It’ll be much less disorienting.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Good plan
TKD_Mom76@reddit
My doctor told me to do the same old same old for the rest of the day, but put my new glasses on the next morning. That gives your tired eyes a chance to wake up with the new glasses on. Or something. Whenever I get new glasses, I keep the old ones on until the next morning. Progressives take some getting used to. Last time they "upgraded" the type of progressive and I fucking hate it. This next appt next month I'm making them put it back to what it was because these are shit. So, it might also be the type of progressives that are bothering your eyes.
Unndunn1@reddit
I just stuck with it and tried to make a point of looking forward, not down. Within a week or two I barely noticed them and by a month I forgot they were progressive. Give it time and don’t take them off out of frustration
Alternative-Row-84@reddit
Took me a few days to get used to them. It does get better and eventually your eyes and nose just know where to be so you can see.
Mysterious-Tart-1264@reddit
Other commenters give good advice. You will get used to them. They are especially helpful to me when driving. BUT keep a pair of decent readers in your toolbox. Last weekend, I had to deal with under sink plumbing issues and no way could i bend my head to see the damn thing. Switched to my old readers and could fix the problem.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Old reliable!
Mysterious-Tart-1264@reddit
lol, yup.
nudoru@reddit
It’s been over a month and I still can’t get used to mine. I broke down and went to Warby Parker to get a set of my reading prescription so that I can actually use my computer.
Lopsided-Painting752@reddit
Taking notes. I pick up my new pair in a few days.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Good luck!
cheesecheeseonbread@reddit
I never could. Went to contacts instead
CatelynsCorpse@reddit
There is for sure a learning curve on them. I was told it would take me about 2 weeks to get used to them, and that turned out to be 100% true for me!
thunderspirit@reddit
It took me about a week.
My doctor told me directly: "Point your nose where you want to focus, and only tilt your head up and down."
Stairs were a big issue, I'll be honest. It was probably nearly two weeks before I felt like I wasn't going to miss a step and go tail over teapot down the staircase.
FurryFreeloader@reddit
I have progressive lens and they can make the progression where the reading area is a little larger and that was a game changer.
What_Up_Doe_@reddit
After a week I went back to single vision lenses
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Okay, thank you for the info.
OhioBricker@reddit
It took me a while to get used to it. Thought it was possible I had the wrong prescription, but I’m fine with it now.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Good to know.
greg9x@reddit
I couldn't, I would just freeze while walking because it was like being dizzy. I don't need glasses for close up vision, so I just were them to see father away stuff. Having to hold your head at specific angles depending on where your looking was also annoying.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
That’s where I am at the moment.
minnesotawristwatch@reddit
I felt the same way, cousin. Cleared up in a few hours. Just limit your screen time and take breaks. Your eyes/brain will figure it out. Hang in there!
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Lol thanks.
LibertyMike@reddit
Give it a few days and you'll get used to them.
IDunnoNuthinMr@reddit
I couldn't get used to them. Waved too much as I looked from one monitor to the other.
jumpinoutofmyflesh@reddit
They do take a day or so. I would recommend letting someone else drive if you can. If not then you might consider not wearing them behind the wheel. I experienced problems with spatial perception when I got my first pair. Also, stairs, stepping off/up curbs, etc. It won’t take long. It’ll be second nature in no time.
I have to add, alcohol can have a strong impact on your eye exam. Not saying you did, but if you did drink heavily the night before then your script could be off. I speak from experience. If your problem with the bifocals doesn’t go away in a few days, I would recommend getting a second exam.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Yeah no way am I driving in these yet! I was a good 4 days past any alcohol during my exam so should be good on that. I did have a vagal episode after the eye drops and passed smooth out but that is another story.
millersixteenth@reddit
It can take a few days. Be careful walking on uneven ground - look a few yards ahead. Yes you will get used to em.
I have em in all my glasses, even a pair of tiny titanium frames (went back to the shop that did them to get the prescription updated, told me it was impossible. "You did these"). They did it again - compressed focal area, I forget the exact name for them.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Okay thank you.
Fit-Nobody6078@reddit
The distance is the top portion and the reading is on bottom. For distance look out the top. For reading look down. If i recall correctly it took me a solid day to get used to.
Sevenandahalfsquared@reddit (OP)
Yeah it just feels like the blurry but in between is larger than the top or the bottom.
Real-Pangolin9958@reddit
Took me a month to get fully comfortable, and takes me a week or so every time the prescription changes, but so much better than carrying and switching glasses all the time.
Your brain has to get used to pointing your head where you need to look, with variation for distance. It will come naturally eventually, and you will barely be aware that you are wearing them.