How to Get Used to Progressive Bifocal Lenses

One of the biggest complaints with progressive bifocals is the period of time you have to go through to get used to your new lenses. Progressive, or PAL, lenses are bifocals without obvious lines. The area where the reading power gets stronger presents a challenge for first-time wearers. Progressive bifocals work by allowing you to see at many distances, but the transitional area where the power changes causes distortion, according to the All About Vision website. Getting accustomed to progressive lenses is easy if you keep in mind a few simple rules.

Instructions

• 1

  Put your eyeglasses on and make sure they are resting comfortably on your nose and ears. Your frames have to be in the right place for you to see correctly. If they slide down or are angled or askew the bifocals won't work properly.

• 2

  Use your nose as a guide and point your nose in the direction you are going to read. This helps you get used to turning your head to see through the proper part of the progressive bifocal.

• 3

  Raise your chin up to read smaller print. The further down you look through the lens, the stronger the power of your progressive lens. If you are reading a large area, such as a newspaper, fold the paper and hold the reading area directly in front of you.

• 4

  Avoid looking down through the sides, or peripheral zones, of the progressive bifocal portion of your lens. When you look through this part of your lenses, things look blurry, and it is common to experience a moving or unpleasant or dizzy feeling.

• 5

  Move your computer screen closer or farther away to adapt to the bifocal power of your lens. Adjust the location until you find what is most comfortable.