Progressive Lenses in Eyeglasses

Updated on May 10, 2012
W.P. asks from Ridge, NY
13 answers

Does anyone have progressive lenses in their eyeglasses, or has anyone ever tried them? Most of the time I wear contacts, but the multifocal contact lenses don't work very well for me. So I decided to try wearing glasses most of the time, and my optometrist suggested that I try the progressive lenses (instead of having to change glasses when switching between viewing at a distance and close-up/reading). I have heard mixed reviews on these, so I was looking for some feedback from Mamapedia Moms. Thanks in advance for your feedback & advice!

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So What Happened?

Thanks so much to all of you Moms who answered my question! I really appreciate the info & feedback. I am still waiting for my glasses, but when I go to pick them up I will keep your advice in mind.
Update: I picked up my new glasses today. It took me all of about 10 minutes to get used to the Progressive lenses (after a short lesson and adjustment), and I love them! It's a pleasure being able to drive, work on my computer, read, etc. without having to change glasses. I also got the Transitions lenses, so I don't have to switch to sunglasses, either. They're great! Thanks so much for all of the advice!

Featured Answers

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J.D.

answers from New York on

I've had them for years and love them! It sometimes takes a few days to get used to them but they are much better than bifocals!

1 mom found this helpful

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D..

answers from Charlotte on

I love mine. They are wonderful for me - I can actually read, work on the computer, and watch TV without having to take them on and off. However, they don't work for my husband. They made him sick to his stomach and the sides of the lenses looked strange.

I don't know if his frames are the problem, or if our eye department doesn't know what they are doing. (His was a different clinic.). I sometimes wonder if he would have had success with our old clinic. You might bring this issue up with your doc and see what he or she says.

Like you, I'm not successful with the multi focal contacts. I don't think that has anything to do with the progressive glasses, though.

Good luck - I hope it works for you, because they have made a big difference for me!

Dawn

2 moms found this helpful
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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

A woman I work with has them and after getting used to em, likes them. My husband has no-line bifocals which also take some getting used to. He has to learn how to look at things with the glasses. But he is very glad he has one pair and does not have to go buy another. He has a friend that has a pair for reading, one for TV and one for driving.

1 mom found this helpful

J.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

my 5 year old has had them for 2 years and LOVES them.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.W.

answers from Eugene on

I tried them and couldn't get used to them. Later, I learned that if they don't work for you after a couple months, the eyeglass center will take them back in trade for bifocals, no extra charge. I also learned that there are different types of progressive lenses. The ones that give you a larger spot for reading are easier to adapt to. I may try them again but for now, I've gone back to switching between separate glasses for reading and driving.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

I have it.
I like it.
It is much more convenient.
I got mine from Costco.

Progressives, work best with an eyeglass frame that is wider. The width top to bottom.
Not narrow frames.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Seattle on

I've got them and LOVE them. I do have to say it took me a few days to get used to them, my stomach was a bit queasy and my depth perception was a bit off, but once I got used to them, I fell in love. I would never go back. I can't even tell now that I am wearing them, and my eyes just automatically look though the lens where they need to.

If you get them, do plan on giving yourself a few days to adjust to them before giving up. It will take time to adjust, but in my opinion, it is well worth it. I do recommend you go with someone who has done this before, and not someone like Lens Crafters. The people at Lens Crafters have screwed up my refraction many times. Go with someone at a medial practice if you can.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

I love them. My husband tried them and hates them. It's a matter of how you want the glasses to look, really. I'm not into lines on my spectacles! It isn't any trouble for me to shift my eyes to the place in my glasses where they can see best. Ask your eye doctor or optician to explain to you exactly how they work. They're pretty ingenious, really.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.J.

answers from New York on

It took a few days for me to get use to progressive lens, and even more time to accept the fact that I'm getting old! But I did get use to it, and it's great. Sometimes when I am trying to read something that is close to my eyes I do have to take them off, but that doesn't happen often. I highly recommend them.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Portland on

I've had progressive lenses for years. I also tried the two pairs of glasses and found them totally unsatisfactory. There is a distance in the middle that was not clear with the distance glasses and the reading glasses only worked for really close work like reading or handiwork.

I love my progressives!

1 mom found this helpful
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W.H.

answers from Sacramento on

I HATED THEM!!! I couldnt deal with having no peripheral vision and they made me sick to my stomach. After months of trying to get used to them, I went back to good old bifocals! I also like my bifocals to have lines, the blended ones were h*** o* my eyes, too. I also have the transitions lenses and love that!!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Dallas on

I've had progressive lenses for YEARS and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them! Would never have anything else! Also have the Transitions feature (lenses go from dark to light depending on whether you're indoors or out) and love them, too. No more fumbling around in the bottom of my purse for my sunglasses!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Miami on

I love my progressive glasses but haven't found a good contact yet. I have worn glasses since I was 4, and got my contacts when I was 13. Wore contacts almost exclusively until last fall (at age 40) when I was getting headaches, now wearing progressive glasses. My optometrist said to get used to the progressive glasses and then we will see what we can do in contacts after. Need to get on that one! Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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