How to Get Used to a Progressive Lens

Progressive lenses are corrective lenses used in eyeglasses to correct common sight disorders such as prebyopia, which is a diminished ability to focus on near objects. Unlike traditional lenses, the lens power of progressive lenses increases gradually moving from the top to the bottom of the lens. Though many people adapt instantly to progressive lenses, some people have to train their brain to adapt to the new way of seeing. If you find yourself having trouble with your new lenses, there are ways to make adaptation easier.

Things You'll Need

• glasses with progressive lenses

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Instructions

• 1

  Put on your glasses and leave them on for as long as you can. If you are having problems focusing, do not remove the glasses. However, if you find yourself suffering from dizzy spells or headaches, remove your glasses for an hour or so until the symptoms pass, then put the glasses back on.

• 2

  Abstain from switching back and forth between glasses with traditional lenses and glasses with progressive lenses. You will only impede your brain's adaptive process if you continue to rely on your old glasses.

• 3

  Make a deliberate effort to train your eyes and brain to adapt by pointing your nose directly at the object you want to focus on. Moving your eyes without moving your head is a rookie mistake; it causes you to look through the distorted part of the lens, which will blur the image. The clear part of the lens is along the vertical corridor in the middle. After some time, the deliberate effort to keep your eyes in the clear corridor will become automatic.

• 4

  Give yourself time to adapt. It may take days, weeks or even a couple of months to get used to your new lenses.

• 5

  Consult your optometrist if a couple of months have passed and you are still struggling with your new lenses. Your optometrist may suggest more traditional bifocals or two sets of glasses---one for distant sight and one for close site.