I feel like I need to update my prescription. Every time I see this thread I think it says Progressive Classes ; )
Very timely thread. I am needing to make an appointment to have my eyes checked. It’s been 3 years! Last time, the eye doctor was really pushing progressives. I had tried them before and could not get used to them. I need the reader part to see my computer and had to tilt my head back or physically lift the glasses up to see out of the bottom. The middle part (intermediate distance?) was totally useless to me. I could see nothing. They said it takes time to get used to them. I said I can’t see well enough to function in order to give them time. Now I think I’m ready to give them another shot.
I also have a problem with the fit of the frames. I know there are little numbers on the stem of the glasses with measurements. Shouldn’t the optician measure my face or something to ensure a proper fit? I think the bridge of my nose is somewhat narrow, which allows the glasses to slip down lower than they should be. Maybe that’s why the “reader” part of the progressives was so low that I had to tilt my head to use them.
@abasket - I was thinking that if you don’t use readers now for map reading, you may just be able to read maps with the glasses or if stopped “look under” them (I do that) or prop on head . I’ve been doing more audio-navigation from cellphone, which is nice.
I got progressives several years ago when I finally needed distance correction. I’d been using readers for years. I have still not adjusted and in fact, wind up trading out my progressives for my readers whenever I need to read more than something brief. I also use my readers when I"m at the computer.
So next time round, I’m not going to get progressives.
YMMV.
JMO, but unless saving money is your highest priority for this item, I think you will have a better chance at success with progressives if you get them properly fitted by an optician and if you don’t buy the least expensive progressives.
The best progressives are digitally surfaced. The digital lenses I wear now are far and away better than my first pair (Varilux Comfort), which were not digital. I see so much better, even though my add is higher now than it was back then. They feel very natural. I don’t even notice I have glasses on unless they need to be cleaned. Everything I need to see is in focus. Even the blurred areas along the sides (which are mathematically necessary and can’t be eliminated entirely) are less blurred.
I also have large frames, which definitely makes a difference. Virtually my whole field of vision has lens covering it. My last frames were a tad smaller and it made them harder to use for driving (the location of the frame edge reduced my peripheral vision) and for reading (because the reading potion was reduced by the smaller frame-- I had to tilt my head back to read. Not so with the larger frames.) I heartily recommend larger frames. They need not be unattractive. I get compliments on my frames (Silhouettes SPX 1849).
People spend so much on a smartphone but hesitate to spend on eyeglasses. In my personal experience, quality matters when it comes to progressives.
My mother wore trifocals and loved them. The lines didn’t bother her.
I wear progressives, but when working at a computer (with paperwork and the computer), I like different glasses. I forget what they are called but something like comvex? conplex? I can’t walk around in them because there is no distance prescription in them, but I wanted something that I could wear to read paperwork and then look up to see the computer. I just left them on my desk at work.
My experience is exactly what VeryHappy described. Unable to adjust to progressives after only using readers ( prescription ) for years. Traded in the progressives for bifocal, that I use when in store shopping.I have the prescription readers for computer and extended reading. I also have distance glasses and sunglasses that I use for driving that stay in the car. Less the ideal!
I’m always surprised by people having trouble with progressives. I loved them instantly. It may have helped that I am not that near sighted and at the time my issue was not so much that I needed readers, but that I could not read with my glasses on, so the bottoms of my progressives had very little prescription back then. In any event - I love them for driving because then I can read the stuff on the dashboard.
Another big support for Zenni, I have 3 pairs. I have had progressives for years, and never wanted to try bifocals or trifocals (vain).
A few hints on Zenni- make sure you pick the size right. They tend to be big. I wear a 123 mm frame which is medium kids size. Measure the frames you have.
Another thing I realized. If I got a 30 mm lens (vertical) which is the minimum for progressive on their site, I do not have to lift up my head to use the lower part for reading. Kind of like a rectangular style.
Play around with their web site and try on glasses with your photo. I paid $110 for the very thin progressive lens (I am also very near sighted), no scratch, uv protection, non reflective, and a attachment for polarized sunglasses ($4). I figured it was worth the money to try out the first pair. You enter your own script. I could not be more pleased. The script was spot on.
I cannot tell the difference with my $750 pair from 3 years ago and $200 from Costco 2 years ago.
I’m learning so much! And also getting more confused which way to go! LOL!
I think it’s worth it to make at least one stop to a good optician to get some feedback.
I am a little concerned as I read here about needing “height” on the lens/frames - I have a small face so a big frame is probably not ideal.
Those of you with prescription readers - what is the advantage of those over decent store ones (so not the little fold up readers you get at the drug store).
OTC readers may be made for a pupillary distance that is not the same as that of your own pupils. Prescription readers would be made with the correct PD for you.
I used OTC readers for years but eventually my right eye became weaker than my left eye, so I visited my eye doctor. I learned that I also have mild astigmatism, so prescription glasses are necessary for me now.
I also learned that my PD is very small-- only 53, which is more like kids’ glasses-- and that my right pupil is 1 mm closer to my nose than my left pupil is. All the more reason for me to use Rx glasses.
I also only used OTC readers for years. When I had an eye exam to see how I could improve my night driving vision, I also found that I had an astigmatism. Correcting for the astigmatism help with sharpness in my vision at night and in the readers.
The glasses/progressive lenses I have on right now and wear most of the time are quite small. Inch and a half high at most. No issues here. And like I’ve said, I’m pretty blind so if it was an issue, I’d definitely notice.
I am curious about those who have gotten progressives off of online companies because I know there were several measurements taken in person for mine.
I have progressives mostly for driving, and they work great. I say mostly bcos I also use them to go into stores. Keep them in my car, and after I mask up, I wear the progressives into the store just in case I have to read a label. The other advantage of progressives in driving is reading the video screen in the car.
Not a big fan of progressives for normal reading (computer or newspaper), as I’d rather use my prescription single lens reading glasses since the focus ‘zone’ is much larger than on the progressives.
No real issue adjusting to progressives (since I rarely use them for reading).
Got my last pair from Warby Parker bcos I liked the frame options better than from Costco. I think WB price is $295, but you can check their site.
I wear progressive glasses, and have single-vision sunglasses for distance that I wear for driving about 90% of the time. I don’t have any problems seeing my phone for maps and/or use the audio anyway, and I don’t have any problems seeing my dash or anything with the single vision. And my vision is not great…like even something within arm’s reach is blurry. But the single vision works for driving. As everyone says, progressives are expensive so if it’s really just for driving, maybe not bother.
I’ve had progressives from Warby Parker, around $300, and from a fancier boutique, over $600. I have a very small face and could never order glasses online; it is hard enough to find some that fit in stores. Luckily we have WP stores in my city. I liked my WP progressives but the lenses or coatings did yellow over not too much time (less than 2 years), and my optometrist did explain how there are definitely quality issues that you lose with the discount glasses, in terms of the shaping of the zones of the progressives and such. But, I wouldn’t rule them out for less than half the cost of my “nicer” glasses, since my prescription is still changing! I never had any trouble adjusting to my progressives but I do have issues with my home computer because it is not at the proper computer height. I have to have PERFECT posture at my computer which isnt a bad thing! Another thing to consider is how often you are taking on/off your readers at home, and would you rather just have a pair of glasses on all day, or would you not like that? (I’m the latter, I REALLY wish I could have found progressive contacts that worked for me).
I think my best advice would be to be prepared for a long and somewhat tiring visit when you go. It’s a LOT of “how does this look” and can take a lot of experimentation with progressives, to balance out the distance versus the reading. Bring your phone and use it while you are experimenting.
I tried progressives from Zenni and they were terrible. I had awful headaches and couldn’t see well at all. That said I have terrible vision and astigmatism. My H who has straight forward vision loves his Zenni’s.
The only measurement in addition to the script I needed for Zenni was the PD. I had it on my script from a few years ago. I also have a quite small face and usually only fit into children’s sizes, too. The part that surprised me was the photos people sent in with the frames I chose for me were adults in children’s sizes. So, it seems common.
I took my 20-something daughter to the local Warby Parker store — picked out an “approved” frame in <10 minutes. Received the glasses in teh mail in about a week. No fuss, no muss.
Visits to my optician for new progressives glasses aren’t particularly long. I choose my frame, they measure my PD and mark the glass in the frame, and I tell them I’d like the glasses made in CR-39, with Transitions and Crizal (antireflective coating). Then I pay for them. Takes about 30 minutes.
If you aren’t sure and want to try it out, I get Sightline progressives from Amazon for $30. Mine are 0.50-1.5, but they have several different options. I also got some prescription progressives from Costco for $175, but I prefer the Off-the-Shelf version.