Progressive Lenses: Pros & Cons, and What to Expect

Overview

When shopping for prescription eyewear you will be presented with a selection of various lenses. These are Single Vision, Bi-Focal, Tri-Focal, and Progressive. Single Vision Lenses come in one strength. Bi-Focal and Tri-Focal come in two and three strengths respectively. Bi-Focal and Tri-Focal have a very clear cut between strengths known as “line”. While this cut might work, it has become out of fashion. Here is were Progressive Additional Lenses (PAL), also known as Progressive or No-Line lenses come into the equation. These lenses come in variable strength without the line making them more sleek and fashionable than its older variants.

What are progressives?

Progressive lenses are specifically made for patients that require corrective lenses for both distant and nearby objects. To put it simply, if you want one pair of glasses and don’t want a line, progressives are your best option.

Pros

Progressives solve many of the issues and inconveniences of having multiple glasses, or Bi-Focal lenses. No need to switch between glasses, there is no distracting line, and they look much more modern and sleek.

1. One pair of Glasses

Let’s be honest, nobody wants to carry an extra pair of glasses and having to switch between distance and reading. Think of it this way, your smartphone is a phone, a calculator, a map, among other things. Progressives are the smartphone of lenses, combining reading, and distance in a nice sleek package.

2. No line

Nobody likes lines. Lines are boring, lines are ugly. You don’t see people standing in line at the grocery store praising the fact that they have to stand for minutes waiting to pay for their groceries. While progressive lenses might not get rid of the line at the DMV or the grocery store, they do get rid of the line in your lenses. One less line to worry about.

3. Modern look

You probably wear your glasses everywhere so looking fashionable all the time is very important. You don’t have to settle just because you need multiple powers. While we at View Optical Eyeglasses Store aren’t fashion experts, we do know that progressives are way cooler than Bi-Focal.

Cons

Nothing is perfect, and that includes Progressive Lenses. You may notice distortion at the edges of your lens, it might take a few days to get comfortable wearing your glasses, and they tend to cost more.

1. Distortions on the edges

Hold your horses, we love progressive lenses but there are some things to need to keep in mind. To be able to go from one strength to another without a line some sacrifices have to be made. Distortion on the edges are a real thing. While they might be distracting at first, once you get used to your new pair of Progressive Lenses, you will not notice them.

2. Need to train your eyes

Something we see at our store almost every day is patients who can’t read from their progressive lenses properly. This is a common issue when you get a new pair of Progressives. Unlike glasses with a line, you can’t pin-point the perfect place to read from, it takes a few days for your eyes to find the perfect spot for reading. Think of it muscle memory but for your eyes.

3. Higher cost

Technology comes at a price. Progressive Lenses are more expensive to manufacture so they come at a premium compared to Bi-Focal lenses. Nevertheless, the convenience and simplicity of having one pair of eyeglasses is something our patients feel is worth it.

Are progressive lenses for me?

We at View Optical Eyeglasses Store in Fremont, love our progressive lenses. Our technicians at our state of the art optical laboratory are huge fans. But we understand Progressive Lenses are not the right choice for everyone. Some patients may have problems adjusting to their progressive lenses which sometimes can be solved readjusting the strength of of their lens. For patients that work in front of their computer we recommend our Computer Progressive Lenses, which are stronger for intermediate distance.

Takeaway

Progressive lenses can seem a bit complicated to use at first, but once you master them you will love them. Remember, you will need to pick the right material for your glasses, so read our Eyeglass Lenses Materials Guide to learn more. Next time you visit your Eye Care Specialist ask about progressive lenses to make sure if they are right for you. If you are located in or around Fremont, California you can book an appointment with our Independent Optometrist.