How to Get Used to Progressive Contacts

Progressive contact lenses are a wonderful alternative for presbyopia, the vision correction that requires bifocals, for seeing in the distance and close up. Progressive lenses are available in soft, gas permeable, daily and extended wear. The type of contact lenses you use is determined by many different factors and once you are fit with progressive contacts, there are a number of things you can do to get used to them, as they will feel a bit different than ordinary contact lenses.

Things You'll Need

• Rewetting drops

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Instructions

• 1

  Follow your wearing schedule. The amount of time you initially wear your contacts each day is determined by your eye care practitioner and you will add time each day, usually an hour. Wearing your lenses too much at first can cause swelling and other problems and make your lenses feel uncomfortable.

• 2

  Use your rewetting drops as needed. Dryness is one of the most common problems for people getting used to contact lenses. Applying your rewetting drops will keep your lenses lubricated and comfortable and make adjusting to your new lenses easier.

• 3

  Do not wear your old prescription. If you go back and forth between your previous prescription and your new one, you will have a harder time getting used to your new contacts.

• 4

  Try a different brand or fit of lenses. There are multiple types of progressive contact lenses and some work better with certain prescriptions than others. Many factors affect vision with progressive lenses. Contact lenses are designed for your individual cornea size and as you wear lenses they can tighten and loosen. Your doctor will be able to prescribe a different brand or type of contact lens if the one you are wearing is too difficult to adapt to after a specified trial period, usually up to a month.

• 5

  Ask your eye doctor for a pair of minimal reading glasses to wear over your progressive contacts if you do an extended amount of close work. Wearing a small, extra reading correction during these times can prevent fatigue and help you get used to your progressive contact lenses.