How Do You Get Used to Progressive Lenses?
One of the most common issues opticians receive is concern about the adaptation of progressive lenses. Many patients turn to optometrists because their lenses cannot adapt appropriately or have symptoms that can be solved with a simple visit to the optician.
Progressive glasses sometimes require patience on the part of the user and good measurement and adaptation work on the part of the optometrist through a vision screening test. This collaborative work has been perfected for years and offers the best results so that people can make the most of progressive lenses.
Getting Used to Progressive Lenses
First of all, you should keep in mind that progressive lenses involve an adaptation period to recover visual quality, which is more complicated than bifocal glasses. Some patients notice the improvement immediately, and others who may take a little longer to adapt to their new lenses, but don't worry. Ideally, you should go little by little, using them at home where you feel more comfortable and know your surroundings, and then use them in all areas of your daily life.
If you have not yet undergone a vision screening test, it is essential to do so to detect any problems with your eyes and find the best visual solution for you, taking into account factors such as your lifestyle, your needs, and your work, among other things. The optician will also provide you with advice and guidance during the adaptation process.
During the first few days of using progressive lenses, it is advisable to make gentle head movements and change the focus of your gaze, alternating between near and far objects. It is also advisable to alternate reading a book or using a mobile phone with watching television to adapt to different vision focuses, especially near and far.
Coordination of Eye Movements with the Head
When using progressive lenses, it is advisable to combine your gaze with a small head movement to be able to focus correctly. If you look out of the corner of your eye, you use the peripheral area of the glasses, which can appear blurry because it is a marginal area. This can cause dizziness. Therefore, to avoid vision problems and dizziness, it is important to accompany the movement of the eyes with a gentle movement of the head when focusing on objects.
Exercises to Get Used to Progressive Lenses
Sit on the sofa at home and do exercises to better adapt to progressive lenses.
Fix your gaze on a fixed point. Repeat the motion of sitting down and getting up several times, controlling each movement.
In this way, your brain will acclimatize to the new fields of vision offered by progressive lenses.
If you work in front of a computer, adjust the screen's height so that it is at the height of your average focus.
In this way, you will have a broader and more comfortable vision while working with progressive lenses.
Remember to ask your optometrist for advice. He will know what other tips he can give you to get used to your new lenses. Also, you must always appreciate the importance of a good vision screening test for the prescription.
Caution when Going Up and Down Stairs
When you go up or down stairs, you must move your head down to look at the steps, thus accompanying your gaze with your head. If you do not move your head, the area may become blurred, and you may lose your balance. Therefore, it is advisable to lower your head and eyes to look through the central or upper part of the glasses instead of looking through the lower part. In this way, you will be able to have a clear and stable vision while going up or down stairs with your glasses.
Do Not Use Peripheral Vision
Avoid looking with peripheral vision since the edges of the lenses can generate a blurred image. Instead, move your head from side to side to see the objects around you. It is recommended that the lateral areas of your lenses be reduced, similar to high-quality lenses.
We suggest following these helpful tips to minimize the period of discomfort and transition to progressive lenses. Additionally, we recommend booking an appointment with an optician to help you select the type of lens that best suits your specific requirements and provide you with advice on how to properly care for your eye health.
