How to Adjust a Polarized Progressive Lens

It is important to keep any pair of glasses in proper adjustment to maximize clear vision and frame comfort. When someone wears a progressive lens, the adjustment and fit of the glasses are crucial. Progressive lenses are fit according to measurements taken by an optician. These measurements are accurate to the millimeter. If a glasses frame is out of adjustment, the prescribed fitting measurements are altered. This often results in blurry vision or double vision. A polarized progressive lens is used for sunglasses, and the same fine adjustment rules apply in order to have clear vision and a comfortable frame. Wire frames do not require specialized equipment for the adjustment, as plastic frames do.

Things You'll Need

• Dry erase marker
• Progressive lens identifier

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Instructions

• 1

  For wire frames, remove the subject's glasses and hold the lenses up to a light source. Use a dry erase marker to mark where the circle or diamond shape is on the inside and outside of each lens. A symbol is located just below the dot. Remember this symbol as it will be used to identify the progressive lens type. Use a progressive lens identifier such as the one provided online by Empire Optical to match the design on the lens to the appropriate one in the index. Scroll to the page with the appropriate progressive lens diagram as directed by the progressive lens identifier's index. Align the dry erase marker dots on the glasses lenses with the circles on the diagram. With the lens held firmly over the lens diagram, locate the plus sign in the center of the diagram. Use the dry erase marker to make a dot on the lens above the center of the plus sign. The center dot indicates where the subject's pupil should be centered in the lens.

• 2

  Seat the subject in desk chair or dining chair. Direct her to position her head and eyes straight ahead as she would when driving. Place the glasses on the subject's face.

• 3

  If the center dry erase marker dots are above the center of the subject's pupil, spread the frame's nose pads farther apart until the dry erase marker dots are centered over his pupils.

  If the dots are too low, move the nose pads closer together until the dots are centered over his pupils.

• 4

  Ensure that both lenses are at an equal distance from the subject's face. If they are different, apply gentle pressure where the wire holding the lens or eye wire meets the bar holding the two eye wires together. This is known as the bridge. Bend frame at the junction of the bridge and the eye wire, so the ear pieces move slightly toward one another.

• 5

  Examine the frame on the left and right sides of the subject in profile. The angle that the ear piece makes where it attaches to the eye wire should be less than 90 degrees. If it is not, grasp the lens and eye wire in one hand. Use the other hand to apply gentle downward pressure on the ear piece. Ensure that both sides of the frame are adjusted to the same angle.