For a few years now I have been using reading glasses but now with age I need glasses for distance as well as reading so decided to go for varifocals (progressive lenses) instead of buying two or three pairs of glasses which would probably come to about the same amount of money. Sure I had to make some changes with regards to head eye movement but it didn't take me long to get used to it and after two weeks now I am adjusting to them very well, much better than I expected. From what I understand you get different qualities of varifocals with the more expensive one having less of the distorted areas on the left and right. I for one am very happy with them and the trade off they give for not having to carry multiple pairs of glasses and constantly taking glasses on and off my face is a major positive. Informative video none the less.
Thank you! This really helped me to understand my progressive glasses. I am older, and am a gamer. Gunnar doesn't sell bifocals, only progressives, but I wanted to be able to see my games on my big TV, to be able to see my computer screen, and to see my strategy guides up close. Progressives fit the bill and your video helped me learn to use them right!
Me too. I just got mine and don't like them. There's just too much peripheral distortion. I'll give them another week or two, but if my experience doesn't improve I'll return them for a standard uniform prescription.
@@alankoslowski9473 My last pair of varifocals had none of those problems - it was like using standard lenses, because I could see no peripheral distortion, due to the fact that I didn't buy the cheaper options. However, about 17 months ago, after my eyesight changed, I unwisely went to Specsavers (UK) and chose their (supposedly) premium grade 'tailor-made' version. They were absolute garbage with a narrow clear field. Consequently, I demanded a refund and got it, along with the experience to know never to use Specsavers ever again. Having just had cataract surgery, I'll be using an optician who will provide decent quality varifocal lenses.
My clear glasses have progressive lenses but my sunglasses are bi-focal. This video finally explained why I get eye strain after wearing my clear glasses all day but not my sunglasses, thank you!
The sad part is that it is rare to find this degree of knowledge at your local glasses retailer. My eye doctors is great, knowledgable, etc., but the person selling and fitting your lenses are not always up to spec on the science explained in this video.
But, but, but they should be! That is the job of optician and who these videos are for. Small town maybe no choices but in any urban area to city you will find a few good opticians out there. John
As an optical assistant manager I can whole heartedly agree I’m studying for my NCLE and ABO and am passionate about the field and love educating our patients about refractive errors, lenses, fittings and etc 😁
Thank you! I thought I was losing my mind because I couldn't adapt to the lenses and had to take them back. I could see perfectly out of my left eye from top to bottom but my right side lense was blurry. When I told the eye clerk what was going on after putting the glasses on, she then gave me instructions in how to wear the lenses. I was told to adjust my head up, then back, then to the rear and I immediately thought to myself, wtf type of lense did I just buy? So she told me there would be an adjustment period and to give the lenses some time and to bring them back in after a few weeks if I couldn't adjust. I took them back 2-weeks later, had my eyes re-examined. I found out my right side went up and that there were a few more issues. I couldn't adjust to the lenses so I found a different eyeglass store, gave them my prescription, and told them I wanted single vision lenses. I pick them up in 6-weeks but in the meanwhile I'm stuck with these progressive lenses.
Great information! Thanks for posting! The young ladies who sold me my progressive glasses kept telling me how amazing the progressive lenses will feel and that they will be great for the 8 hours of daily reading I have to do for work. I gave them a real try for one month before returning them. Fortunately I received a refund and this was indeed the worst glasses experience I have had. They never felt right and reading was very difficult with them. They actually handicapped me. I learned a lot from your video and it validated my perception of progressive lenses.
This was soooo helpful. Thanks! I was just at the optometrist and they wanted to sell me progressive lenses. I said 'let me do more research first' This was what I needed and convinced me that I want bifocals instead of progressive lenses.
Thesse videos are super helpful from a consumer angle. I'm perptually curious and my optometrist didn't have a whisper of these explanations when I got my progressives 2 years ago. I stumbled may way through adapting to them and gave up because they frustrated me. When i told him that after a week or two of wearing he verbally shrugged and said "yeah - they take some getting used to. point your nose to what you want to see" and sent me on my way. I don't go to him anymore.Thank you for detailing how these lenses are constructed and the geometry they've correcting, and pointing out they are compromise/compromised lenses.
Thanks for these educational videos. It seems, progressive lenses might be useful for a nearsighted person when walking around a city, when you spend most of your time looking at far objects but also have to glance at small nearby objects from time to time (a smartphone, a product description in a shop etc.) without taking your glasses off or when you need additional + for reading. However, progressive lenses might be a bad choice for a person with nystagmus or amblyopia because they would find it difficult to keep their eyes focused inside that narrow corridor of the progressive lens. I'm a "poor vision" person since birth (horizontal nystagmus - mostly just tiny vibrations), optic nerve hypoplasia, ocular albinism. I hoped to get some glasses that correct my astigmatism and nearsightedness to make both reading and walking around easier. With my serious conditions I didn't expect miracles. I just hoped for some relief, especially because I was a student who has to walk around a lot. Also I ended up being a programmer, working on a computer every day. I have visited opticians a few times but somehow always ended up with glasses being too strong for wearing all the time. Recently I decided to start studying the topic myself and to play with a trial frame and some lenses. Internet is a savior, I got some optometry books and bought cheap lenses. It all started making sense. I understood what and why exactly went wrong with subjective refraction for my vision. I discovered that I have meridional amblyopia and that very much explained why vertical lines of the astigmatic "clock chart" test always look blurry, no matter which lenses doctors try. So, if the doctor applies full astigmatism correction to my eye, I respond with "I see no difference" when looking at the chart. Then the doctor adds more correction and I still see no difference... until it gets too strong and then I might report feeling unpleasant pressure on my eyes, although the vertical lines still seem the same as without any lenses. Knowing this, I was able at home to find some smaller SPH and CYL values that make my eyes feel relaxed and make image sharper and that are not too strong, so I can wear them without any ill side effects (taking care about not overminusing myself). In a month I have an appointment with another doctor to verify these values and get my final prescription for both distance and reading glasses. Reading glasses is a tricky thing because my focus changes widely depending on what kind of text I'm reading (computer screen, book, newspaper...) so I hoped that progressives would be helpful to cover all of those different focus zones. But after watching this video it seems that progressive lenses might be not for me at all because of my nystagmus. My best bet is to have separate glasses for every task or no glasses for close-up at all. I just hope the doctor will be open to an in-depth conversation. Most of the doctors I've met were cold and closed people who just told me: "Do as I say and don't ask smart/dumb questions!". Excuse me for this long text and, again, thanks for your videos.
I'd say you have things very well sorted out. Don't discount a good old fashioned lined bifocal. They ever come in 35 and 45mm widths so plenty of room for your unwanted eye movement and still be well within the zone you need to be in. John
I appreciate this overview very much. Do you have advice for a switch from monovision to bifocal/progressive lenses. Monovision was great when I was teaching, being able to scan the classroom, look down at the text and my notes, as needed. I was amazed and grateful that my eyes and brain worked this out so well! However, I noticed midrange issues as I got older, such as the computer screen and certain of my arts and crafts hobbies. I’m tired of needing to close one eye to find a better focus, and I really dislike the feeling as if the optician and sales staff are rushing me out of the exam without dealing with my concerns. I feel like the sale is all that matters. I already see two ophthalmologists, one for newly diagnosed glaucoma and the other retinologist. I just don’t have a lot of faith in the optometrist and opticians right now.
The switch away from mono-vision (natural or contact lenses) is never an easy one. Sadly it will come down to (a lot of) patience and some experimentation. I wish I had some solid advice but I don't. My wife is going through the same thing, 65+ years of natural mono-vision and then after cataract surgery where both eyes are the same she is struggling. You need to find an optician/optometrist willing to listen and work with you so you can try a few different things. There is a thing called a trial frame where they can test things before committing. Yeah - state of the world today - not much wiggle room for you when they have patients every 10 minutes for 9 hours a day.
I've been wearing progressive lenses for years. When they first came out, they immediately made me so dizzy I lost my balance. So I waited a few years, and they've been fine for every pair of glasses since -- even ones I got at Lenscrafters (Costco not as good). I usually prefer to go to independent opticians, but their prices now are way out of my reach. I called your office for guidance, and they were exceptionally kind and helpful.
I'm a 52 year old engineer and I'm just starting to wear glasses. Based on the optician's advice, I ordered progressives - and I hate them. Your explanation of the science and design principles behind progressive lenses is great. There is no chance my optometrist has any understanding of most of this. It's obvious to me that they sell lenses only so that they can sell frames. I know I'm a difficult customer because I want to "understand things". How do I find someone that will work with me to tweak the design of my lenses so that I might actually wear my glasses?
Look for a more "independent" shop. Look around for a shop that uses the IOT designs. Listen for the term free-form. From there hopefully they have a good optician that will work with you on finding a much better design. Engineers are always tough! But - within reason you should be able to find a progressive that is ---- good for everyday use --- BUT NOT GREAT AT ANYTHING --- right? John
@@LaramyKOptical Thanks so much for the reply. I'll give progressives one more shot before surrendering to bifocals for reading/driving and a separate pair for computer work...
I've been wearing progressives for maybe over 10 years, and I wouldn't be without them. I also have a pair of sunglasses with the same prescription, whichbI use exclusively for driving. I disagree about the strain on long journeys. The reason I like progressives is it allows me to see the instruments as well as the distance. Which I struggled with distance only lens.
That's one major thing I'm looking for. I normally do great with an intermediate distance single vision lens (and even adequate for daytime driving, perhaps because of pinhole effect in sunny southern California), and switch to a distance vision lens when I'm driving at night (but then I can't see the dashboard). I wear my glasses for computer work and general walking around (indoors or out) and take them off for reading printed material. I'm thinking about replacing my driving glasses with progressives, limiting the add to an intermediate distance power (+1.25 on my current glasses), to limit the peripheral distortion. The other thing, though, is that at 63, I'm entering a new career where there is a lot of close-up work AND a lot of computer work. As I'm training in this new career, I find I have to take off my glasses to see up close to examine electronics equipment, and then put them back on again to see the computer or do anything else, back and forth constantly. Very annoying. Further, I occasionally have to look *really* closely (like, 6"), and I find myself trying to adjust or remove glasses I'm not even wearing! I'm wondering whether or not it would make sense to try what I've seen described as a "regressive" lens (for near and intermediate vision), but the intermediate correction is -2.75 -3 diopters; I don't know how much add would be required for that really close work.
I also wish I did more research and watched this video before having bought my first, and probably last, pair of progressives, a month ago. I took my optician's word for it, that after a "brief" adjusting period, everything was gonna be wonderful. I believed her and shelled out the equivalent of over $1100 for a pair of HOYA "premium" id custom lenses, with the "widest visual field, smoothest transitions possible." Well... NO, bollocks. For the life of me I tried to adjust to them for almost a month, and each and every minute was torture. Constant headaches, neck spasms, blurry distance vision no matter how hard I tried to focus... The only improvement over my previous, standard glasses was, naturally, being able to read my phone, tablet, newspaper, etc more comfortably. But that's it, everything else, like watching TV, desktop computing (that's my job by the way), etc, was an absolute nightmare. Not to mention driving... The total loss of lateral vision drove me literally out of my mind, especially behind the wheel. I was absolutely unable to adapt to that, zero, nada. Of course I had them checked for a possible rx mistake, but according to them everything was perfect, I wasn't trying hard enough to "adapt". So I took them back today, for good.
@@antoineolivier1287 I recently, started using progressive lens but I still trying my best to adopt it. mine is $120 lens, but if not progressive then what we can use, bifocal? Please answer.
The reason (I suppose) these exist is because it affords astronomical profit margins. It is my first day and absolutely hating these, and given how terrible the field-of-vision and how large peripheral astigmatism is, I do not feel compelled to "trick" and "teach" my brain to live-up with this abomination, for the sake of aesthetics and convenience. So "bollocks" it is.
Yeah, almost the same here. The almost complete loss of sharp lateral vision is insane. I have to look exactly straight through the glasses, if my eyes go just 15° to the left of right it starts to get blurry. My optician only told me afterwards when I complained that that's normal and not a specific error with my glasses.
You are so wrong about the driving piece and needing single vision long distance glasses. That may sound good to say but if I wear single vision glasses for driving I can't see items on the dash.
Very helpful vid. I just got my new progressive lenses today. I think there was a mix-up. During the eye exam I was told they're optional, but they were prescribed on the paperwork. The tech suggested I try them since switching back to a standard lens wouldn't be difficult. So far I don't like my progressives. I need glasses mainly for distance, and standard lenses seem much better so far. Maybe I'll get used to them, but with progressives there's just too much peripheral distortion.
The rule of thumb is: When someone is ready for a bifocal or a progressive (you are getting older and lens order has first add power) that you do at least try the progressive design. The thought being that sooner or later you will probably want/need all the ranges that a progressive provides so why not get used to them now. Most people adapt (certainly well above 80%) so the industry isn't risking much and sets the stage for a progressive customer for life. I'm sorry that you felt prescribed since the optician is free to put you in ANY lens design they choose - any notes a doctor makes are just suggestions not law. Hopefully you will adapt but if you don't the common policy (I hope they told you) is they will switch you to a lined style at no additional costs, but don't expect any money back. Anyway - so much depends on your lens powers but multiple pairs is a great way to go and nothing wrong with a good ye olde fashioned lined bifocal either (it's what I wear when I need to). John
@@LaramyKOptical Thank you. There was a typo in previous comment. I need glasses mainly for distance; specifically driving. As you said in the vid, standard lenses are better for this, and yes, they told me they'd switch out the progressives free of charge.
I.am short sight for long distance since childhood, one eye is pretty blind ,now I have different eye power for near distance too . After this video I decided to go with bifocal...thanks ! With my bad eyes the narrow middle sight and the blurry edges will just give me headaches... For people with no such bad eyes and little power difference between eyes may work good.
Nothing wrong with a good old fashioned bifocal. You will save a lot of money as well. Best if you can get them to go with a slightly weaker add. If your full is a +2.50 ask to go +2.25 etc. That way you'll get some intermediate.
for driving long hours. many of my patients are truck drivers, and require the use of progressives to see the dash of the truck. Would you still recommend a second pair of single vision in that case ?? thank you !!
If the progressive lens works for them then I wouldn't "force" them into anything else. If I had a truck driver that was complaining about wearing progressives (a real non-adapt) I'd try with a lined bifocal with the intermediate in the segment. There are progressive designs from IOT that heavily favor the driving position. I know that some of the truckers can be a hard fit. They sit an odd position (up so high) when compared to a car and have a lot of things to keep track of.
@@LaramyKOptical thank you so much for your quick response! i will keep that info in mind. And a big thank you to all of your videos- which have been helping me through school!
I've been wearing progressives for 20 yrs and they are a workhorse lens good at most but not great. I read with a pair of computer lenses which allow me to read with relaxed eyes. Larry,this was most informative video. I just may get a pair of bifocals as my distance with them is clearer as demonstrated by wearing an old pair. Reading through the bottom works well too. The only thing I don't miss is the "step". Thank you.
I'm 51 and just got my first pair of progressive lens glasses. Like most people that get them for the first time I hate them because they are just tough to get used to. You mentioned that they are not great "all day" glasses. I am a computer programmer. would you suggest I also get a pair of medium (computer monitor distance) glasses to wear most of the time at work?
@@LaramyKOptical thanks for the reply. I find at work that since i have 4 monitors i have to turn my head so much with the progressives on that it absolutely wears me out. at home, with only 2 monitors, the progressives are not so bad.
@@geecee1990 I work with two monitors for the video editing and wear a single vision intermediate pair. You will be very, very happy with that over progressives.
I also work a computer job where i have to look at moniters for 12 hours straight. I have 5 moniters to watch. Most are right in front of me, at arms length. And one is pretty much touching the ceiling. I am okay with my single lense seeing them now. I have never had trouble seeing the moniters with glasses on. I am near sighted. I had to got to my annual eye check up. I was prescribed an add on, added to my glasses. I was told it was to make them "reading glasses" because of my job. I specifically asked for them not to be made bifocals, or anything similar due to my job. I even told my the nurse there when she asked that i actually take my glasses off at night to read, because i dont need them for reading. I didnt notice my prescription until i got home. Will it be difficult it chaged to singles. I am not going to get them to 'try" them because i cant afford glasses i cant wear. My office is really tiny. I would not even have the room to lean my head back that far to see a moniter basically on the ceiling. I alreay have neck issues.
For anything very tiny a single vision near pair will be a much better option. Any progressive with an add high enough to work on something very small will have optics that are a bit of a mess. If you must have distance/near then go with a lined bifocal - any decent optician should have fun making those up with the powers you might need. Just push that add up as high as you need (or is available) for what you do. That would be a much, much better choice, you'll see better and save some serious money too.
Prescribed power Dv +0.75 and add +2.00 . I need +1.25 as intermediate power. If I buy a progressive lens then what will be the exact intermediate power and why?? Please describe.🙏
As shown in the video (and explained in others) progressive means variable or changing so there is no such thing as "exact" intermediate power. Somewhere between the distance circle and the full add of 2.00 there will be 1.25 but where exactly it will be depends on many things. Sounds like you might want to look an office progressive design.
It's a bummer for me, I just got mine today and I'm watching this while I have my progressive on right now.. I'm only 6 hours in but my eyes are so tired and strained 😫
Very informative! Thanks, I am wearing my first progressive lenses for about 3 months now and it took me couple of weeks for my eyes to adjust . But lately, I have been feeling sea-sick after wearing for a prolonged time (eg. from morning to night, 7 days).... that’s also the ugly part. It’s a good thing I still kept my other pair of glasses in case my eyes (and my brain) need a break!
I just got a pair of RALPH #RA7061 (375065004) 1 $ 149.00 Polycarb PANORAMA EARLY PRESBYOPE 2 $ 660.00 TRNGRYGEN7 INVISIBLES UV DUAL SIDE-T and i don't think they're right as i'm seeing things in like 3d form like i feel like i have a vr headset on or something. I think they must be to strong but been told give them at least 3 week to adjust ugh, my first pair of glasses so not quite sure on what to expect but there is no way i could go down stairs ect with them on i would miss judge the steps indeed any advice i would very much appreciate.
Hi, I work in an opticians and also study optometry in the UK so I know a bit of both worlds. Without knowing the full details of your prescription and the lens (unfortunately I haven't seen this design on the UK) I can't give a great deal of advice but I can tell you that in optics for everything you gain you almost always lose something, with progressives you gain clarity across all distances (distance, intermediate, near) but lose peripheral field in the lens, especially at near and intermediate. Adaptation is always needed for first time wearers since where in the past you could just point your eyes any direction and see, now if you point you eyes in the wrong direction youll be out of focus hence your issues going down stairs. Eventually your brain will adapt if you give it chance to. Best people to get advice from. Ultimately are the people who dispensed the glasses to you, just go back if they don't work out. Hope this helps!
@@dee1373 wow that's quite a big difference! Hard to understand how such a big difference in prescriptions could exist in the space of a few weeks! Hope the new pair works out for you.
I have a Question Larry, if I make mistakes on a free form personalized design (bad frame fit/PD), does this magnifies the error more than a conventional lens?
@@LaramyKOptical Thank you too much Larry, im learning too much from you, my company is doing an effort to educate opticians here in México, its a hard work but we believe we are making a difference and the influence of your teachings is having an impact here, I would love to have you speak on our blog, we really admire you! Thanks for everything you do.
What do you think about Zeiss anti fatigue lenses in +.75 ADD on a -2.00 both eye frame? They really helped my eye relax with close phone tasks and casual daily use but they made me dizzy and the lens is only really clear towards the direct top of the lens which was not ideal driving with and seemed like the add was too high up. Peripherals weren’t super clear but I guess that’s normal, I gave it 9 days of nonstop wear. Even with those problems, I’m kind of regretting having them changed back to regular single vision but the Dr insisted I am probably non adaptive to them and didn’t seem interested in remaking them with the reading part lower, she just ordered them in distance only. Upon using my back up distance pair for reading, I realize how much they helped. Any suggestions?
You ask, "what do I think" = I think those lenses are unecessary marketing. Your normal healthy human eye has enough accommodation to handle the world around you until you are in your 40's. Figure out a way to break up the time you spend on small digital devices!
Been wearing progressives for about 2 months -- took a few weeks to get used to them. I do a lot of work on my computer and my neck is absolutely killing me (from the constant moving my head to focus on different parts of the screen). I'm going back to dedicated reader glasses for working, and will keep the progressives when doing anything else (watching TV, being outside, driving, etc).
Working on them but no promises on when they will go live. So much there to cover! If you really break it ALL down you probably have around 4 or maybe 5 hours+ of material. Every minute of video you see = two hours of editing time. 60 X 5 X 2, you get the idea. They will happen - in fact the way things are headed (15 years from now) opticians only real function will be in dispensing progressive lenses. John
One doctor prescibed single focus lens for me and other doctor prescribed Progressive lens for me. I am confused which one to go for. How can you help me?
No one is "prescribing" anything. You are provided with a set of lens powers that you (and maybe and optician) are free do anything you want with. I'd watch a bunch of our other videos and find a great independent optician you can trust and talk with them. You should get the option(s) that will best meet your needs (and maybe budget). John
At 53 I wore glasses for distance and usually wore reading glasses on my head. Fed up wearing 2 pairs or glasses at a time I went for progressives. (I had mono vision LASIK done in one eye 5 years previous and it had regressed.) I had 2.5 dopiters difference between my eyes, one -, one +. I got theHoya Mystyle lens and though it isn’t perfect it is a great option for me and I am overall very happy. I do still use readers if I read a book. I no longer find myself taking them on and off like I used to do constantly.
I am thinking about getting contact lenses for general use and get eye glasses for computer while contact lenses are on than getting bi-focal or progressive lenses. Does it work?
It can. Depends on so many things. The biggest problem is that by the time we need a progressive our eyes have started to dry out and when we focus on things at int/near our blink rate slows. That combination isn't very good for contacts. Certainly worth a try but it will take a little experimentation. You may do great!
I picked up my progressives yesterday to help for long distance vision. Such a narrow field of vision. Left and right side of the lens gets blurry when I look through it. Plus watching tv... everything looks clear looking directly straight but but when I move my eyes (without moving my head) to look left or the right side of the tv... those both sides of the picture goes blurry. Plus, when I look at my phone through any part of the lense it is blurry, a tiny,tiny bit clearer when looking through the bottom half but still not clear. Once I take the glasses off...I can see my phone perfectly fine. Is this normal for progressives or should I take my glasses back to the store?. Thanks for any input
Oh my... Where to begin --- If things are clear looking level headed and straight out that is a very good thing. It sounds like you might need to wear them a bit and then decide. Move your head up and down in the vertical, move the object (phone), move yourself and you should find a sweet spot for almost anything. I'd practice a bit before tossing them. Sounds like the optician should have spent some time with you explaining how to use a progressive for the first time wearer. For distance, "point your nose at what you want to look at" because yes the sides will be blurry. John
@@LaramyKOptical thanks John. I will try them for a few weeks and see how it goes. So I guess basically when I'm driving my head will be moving all over the place and the police will think I am drunk or crazy or both lol. Plus watching TV I will have to keep moving my head. That will look strange too 🤣
@@MiaN..N Give them a few, you will probably get used to it. Billions of folks are wearing them! BUT - BIG BUT - if you can't then switch to a good old lined bi-focal instead. Nothing wrong with them. John
March 20,2020 I was talked into getting progressive 3 days in and I’m catching hell when I’m reading it fine I have a problem seeing things far are that are not really for example when a person is approaching me i having a hard time zooming in in what they really look like I cant really tell until their right up on me
Why is this that once I put on glasses I can no more see clearer from close up but without glasses I see really well from close up and don’t need reading glasses ? Can someone tell me if this is normal ?
I noticed a problem with those and bifocals that I haven't heard a solution to. Convergence. When we read a menu in a restaurant, our eyes converge. But the channels of progression don't. They are vertical. Is that so lenses can be used for either eye or is it an oversight? Either way, it's wrong.
Convergence is very much a part of progressive lens design, always has been. Even a lined ST bifocal the segment you can see is offset for the same reason.
Im still pretty new and very confused about glasses. I need a new pair cause I haven't been wearing mine and they're old. But I have the max astigmatism and I'm apparently a bit nearsighted in one eye and farsighted in the other. What kind of lenses can I get?? I thought I had to get progressives for my vision.
Get an eye exam, get a refraction and then find a good optician. You will need to wear something small, have good measurements taken, use a high-index lens and get a good non-glare coating. Unless you are over 40 you shouldn't need a progressive. Depending on how high the powers are and how long you have done without you may need to build up in power but that is doubtful. You will have some adaptation time however. You may even benefit from a free-form single vision lens if you can afford it. John
Thank you very much for this video. I saw an optometrist today because I don't see far away that clear anymore. I never wore glasses before. An optician was pushing progressive lenses and I am glad I decided to think. I am looking at my Rx and I am still confused. Sphere -1.00; cylinder -0.50; Axis 110; add +1.50. Does add +1.50 mean I also need reading glasses? Should I chose bifocals?
Whoa - OK Almost too much to answer... Assuming the -1.00 - 0.50 X 110 is for both eyes or they are very close anyway... Yes the +1.50 says you need some power for reading. But -1.00 (+) 1.50 is just +.50 so you do but you don't. Just take your glasses off to see things up close! If you feel the need, with cylinder that low you could even try some over-the-counter +1.00, +1.25 and +1.50 readers and see what/if that works. Again, assuming both eyes are the same. I guess my answer would be, "Don't rush into anything." If you want follow up please email me through the OpticianWorks website. Thanks John
@@LaramyKOptical Thank you very much, John. I wish the optometrist I saw explained even half... I guess their main focus was to sell me the most expensive glasses, not to help with my vision and explain everything.
Sure. That almost falls inside the normal range of a distance pair where the brain and the eye take over but - just back off the minus a little maybe adding +0.50 or +0.75 and see how it goes. You can always try dropping a pair of drugstore readers in +1.00 over the regular pair and see if that is what you after. If it helps at all then you know you are on the right track anyway... It will take a little experimentation. Heck if you have an old pair with weaker minus just try those. John
@@LaramyKOptical just tried the +1.00 drug store pair, they work except for reading the credits, also tried +1.25 and they were worse, if I had to guess I’d say +0.75 is the sweet spot for my right eye. I’ve now noticed that my left eye could also use some correction. Since the original prescription was no change on the left eye and 0.25 on the right would I be correct in assuming left eye would be +0.50 if the right eye is in fact +0.75? Thanks:)
@@chrishopkin9273 Yes - depending on your age and perception (perception not "prescription") you might find a +0.50/+0.75 a help at that distance. Maybe you might luck out and find two pair on line and swap lenses around for a test first. looks like Walmart sells both +0.50 and +0.75.
@@LaramyKOptical But if he got eyeglasses prescribed to him it would be more accurate for him than .5/.75 to like say .4788/.5098 or is that impossible ?
For me a hyperopic presbyopic person, progressive lenses is a must to be able to use computer and read a paper. I cannot work without them and I tried the line bifocals and they can't replace them. They are more tricky to order and often need a remake and they are more expensive, of course, but other than that they are perfect.
The name for that is nothing. Unless you need to wear glasses then it is non-glare or anti-reflective but that only helps when it is a good quality coating, treated well and replaced every few years. Don't jump in the black-hole of "night-driving" glasses - not really a thing.
I use glasses since the age of seven, myopia and astigmatism, started to use progressive lenes in 2013, never had any distortions it worked for 6 years, now will get my new glasses this week. Bit I made an big research and went to chose Hoya Argos Trueform, couldn't be more happy with it thanks for the video!
I have a question about bifocals. All mine were glass lenses and I could not feel the line , the new pair are plastic lenses and I can feel the line with my fingers on the inside. The closeup was not different . Do you know if glass is cut different than plastic?
The power is the same. The focal length is the same. They should work the same. The glass lenses use a higher index glass for power in the segment area which is "melted" into the distance lens. The plastic lenses get their power from the steeper curve (hence the ledge). Unless you had/have a very specific reason to wear glass you should do fine with either one. John
@@LaramyKOptical , thank you , makes perfect sense to me. I always liked glass better since it does not scratch very easy and seems to offer a clearer vision than plastic. Yet now days most places do not offer glass lenses. The stronger the script became the more they weighed so I would choose smaller frames and always went with metal frames. Now what most places offer what is titled small is not small by my definition . Last pair were easy clip with very small oval frames now the smallest oval frames are one third larger. I've now for the first time dealt with online makers and many don't offer bifocals in a small frame. The last place I got mine had no issue fitting bifocal lenses in these small frames 39mm wide x 30mm height, the bifocal area just didn't have the full lower circle at the bottom.
@@williamjahn7514 Yep! That is one of the huge benefits of a lined bifocal - it can be fit into a smaller frame and still work exactly as it should. A progressive lens can't do that.
Yes. No. Maybe. On one hand they have worn a progressive lens. On the other hand they have worn a progressive lens with a limited distance but pretty generous areas of usable vision. It's all going to come down to the wearer and to some extent their lens powers. The best way to get more out of a progressive is to ask less of it... John
I tried progs for about 2 weeks and I decided that my perifrial vision was extremely valuable to me. I was able to get them replaced with just distance and an upgrade to trivex
@@PCConditioning Trivex is a lens material that luxury sunglasses use like Maui Jim. Although optical glass is clearest it is heavy & can shatter. Trivex is clearer than poly, lighter, & stronger. So the best of both worlds.
The need for an add power usually starts about your age and builds from 1 to 2.25 or 2.75 around 50-55. There are no strict rules. Some doctors even do it solely based on your age. You can test things for yourself - grab those +1.75 and see if you can read everything that you need to. Yes stick with a +1.75. No you will need that bump up to 2.00. It depends on so many things. But - no way around the rule of progressives: As power increases ANYWHERE on the lens the distortion throughout the entire lens increases with it.
I've got my 1st progressive lenses 2 days ago , i have never heard about it before but it was strongly advised by the optical shop , i returned back by the other day , don't ever try , it is not easy to get used of it , you have to adjust your sight angle / eyes level to the proper position to enable you to see , otherwise you can't see probably , it is very costly compared to normal lenses and doesn't give comfortable feeling
Ala, did you get your money back when you returned them? I just got mine and boy I had no idea it was gonna be this complicating. My eyes are strained trying to focus the near and far.
@@savithrivenugopal They didn't return the money back , but they replaced the lenses to normal lenses, for reading i have to take off the glasses now , but im very comfortable with that now compared to progressive lenses
@@alaabd9 I'm still getting used to my progressive, definitely feeling more comfortable after a week than I was the first few days. I've learned how to look move my head up, down and sideways better now 👍
Hello. Thanks for all of the great information. One question, though. As a Firefighter/Paramedic for years I have gotten accustomed to wearing Progressive lenses for quit a while. I am currently taking training at a Range for Firearm Safety. What could I do for glasses at the range where 25-30 is the distance that I need to cover? Are there single distance contacts that I could use with the protective goggles that are required? I don't believe I need to have the reading or intermediary distance lenses while at the range. What would be your input in this issue? Thanks for your response. David
I would say that contact lenses would be an excellent choice if that is an option. Sadly shooting and glasses is dependent on the type of shooting and it get very complicated very quickly. Open sights? Scope? Red-Dot? Rifle, Pistol... Yep - I'd try some variation of a basic distance SV lens (maybe in safety) or contacts. * of course reloading magazines is a near-intermediate distance... sorry being old sucks - I know!
Hey Guys, worth noting that for some people they do work. I really enjoy not having a clear line in my lens. I also work in a profession in which I am constantly swapping between close, mid and long distance and I find the progressives handle it beautifully. Previously I was using single distance and was getting horrible headaches from the constant swapping. While it is good to be informed, progressive lenses can be good for some people too :)
I do say, "billions with a b of people are wearing them!" I think I follow that with, "...and they work great for many things." And the title is The Good... ;-) John
@@ryannicholls3372 Yeah, I noticed that people do like to toss blanket "progressives are a rip off" kinds of statements about pretty easily. I can understand where it comes from but when billions with a b are wearing them, well...
I got my first pair of glasses when I was 6 with a growth related myopia. When I reached the age that most people's arms are getting too short, my eyes started getting "better". My max was 20/700 in one eye, 20/650 in the other. By the time I got my first pair of progressives, I was down to 600 in one, 550 in the other. I was a secretary who spent most of the time on my computer doing lots of data entry but would have to look 20-30 feet away to see who was coming in. Progressives saved my sanity! 😂 After my cataract surgery I now have 20/20 & 20/40. Since I've retired (I just turned 71) I don't have all of the rapid changes & I do find I take off my glasses for close detail work. Maybe it's time to go back to single vision? Thank you for explaining why I'm having little troubles and it might not be just my age.
I'm no expert, but I've been wearing glasses for 65 years. Most people I know who have no other complicating factors, for example, severe astigmatism, get along just fine with the "cheaters" you can buy at CVS for mild Presbyopia. But like I said, I'm not a professional, so don't make any permanent decisions without spending the money for a pro. It's always worth it.
Thanks. I think was the first one where we included any. Most of our later ones have them. I doubt very strongly if most people even know they are there. Gotta admit they always crack me up me and I'm me.
This video is extremely helpful. I have been wearing bifocals but am considering progressive lenses. I am sixty years old, far sighted, have a strong prescription and a lot of astigmatism. Should I not even bother trying progressives?
Most places will switch you back to a traditional bifocal from a progressive for a non-adapt. They won't return the difference in costs but you don't have all that much to lose in trying. [check first of course] And plus people tend to do a little better than minus folks do so you have that on your side. And I'm sure you have already figured it out - find a good optician you can trust and get the "good stuff." John
I just bought progressive glasses.. I hate them. I see worse with them than with single vision. I just need to take my glasses off to read. Why would anyone want these glasses??????? everything is blurry, everything moves, field of clear vision is minuscule.
Karla. I am in the same boat. I got talked into getting progressive lenses and I picked them up yesterday to have as a backup pair of glasses. So far I hate them,so much blur on both sides of the lense. With my old single vision glasses...I did the same thing as you , use them for distance and take them off when I want to read. I think I am going to order a single vision lense again
Same experience ! I hate progressives I see a lot better with single vision for distance and then take them of fit reading ! I was talked into progressives 2 years straight ! I’m thinking it was a selling point ! I just went back to optometrist yesterday and they ordered me the single vision !
I just got the progressive as well. I have a very mild prescription and hate them. I can see way more without them! So horrible. I’ll go back to single vision and take them off to read. Thank you for this video. Makes sense.
I knowbim latw to the game but i had to get my firat pair of glasses a d rhe optometrist auggested progressive. I hate them for comouter work. Your videos have helped me underatand why. Now i know what to ask about.
I'm not 100% sure I understand your question? Verification of progressives is covered in the lensmeter series. Actual visual acuity correction would be determined through refraction and I don't (can't/not allowed) do that. John
Laramy-K Optical Hi may be my language not enough to understand me Simply just if you have a video how we get centurion for customer I mean fitting hight We get it by iPad I need the right way because sometimes my customer comfort sometimes not comfortable I get fitting hight and back vertics Pantoscopic angel and reading area
@@aburashed6 That is something I'll cover some time this coming year. We are just starting to touch on dispensing topics. I do cover it step-by-step with images and illustrations on the OpticianWorks website. Short answer: pre-adjust frame, sit across from customer - level and eye-to-eye and dot the center or lower edge of their pupil on the demo lens. For PD use a pupilometer. John
Not that I know of. They have played around with different tints and of course color contacts but no not any variable ones. I would think blinking might cause some issues?
I’ve worn progressives all my life & I recently switched to this adorable single vision pair that I bought offline, however, I don’t wear them much outside of the house because they are so vivid & it makes me dizzy. I can see clearly, but too clear. It seems very off. It’s hard to get adjusted to them, so I usually don’t wear them for long. I’ve been diving through so many articles & videos trying to find out what is off with these glasses. If I wear them more, will I get adjusted to them? Is the prescription wrong? Has my PD changed? I’m not sure, but your video has been very helpful & I will continue to search for the solution, so that the next pair I order are wearable.
A single vision pair of distance glasses should rarely if ever give you any problems. Dizzy is not a good thing. I assume you mean bought online so you would need to find an optician willing to check what you got and compare it to what you should have. Like anything else if you bought them online and they don't work then SEND THEM BACK! John
Only now am beginning to understand as you explain. As increased magnification then more critical is the compromise with "progressive". My eyes are from 2.5 ti 4.5 close up so thinking that a distinct by focus line at with 4.5 about 26% from bottom will be better than the middle range being a distortion area! Is "executive" the type of lenses I am thinking of? Learning, thanks. Richie
Why are there no true no line bifocals? No matter where i go they are all either progressive that i cant wear, or lined bifocals. I just want two visions distance and near across the lens with no line.
Thank you for the information. I was considering progressive lenses. I now wear bi-focal. I can not afford more than one pair. The thing I want to get but local optical stores always say I can hardly get, is glass lenses. Why is that?
I was myopic and glass lenses got too heavy. They don't scratch as easily as plastics, but if something breaks the lens, they shatter & could blind you. Stick to plastic.
As power goes up, so does distortion throughout the lens, can you go further into detail about this? Is this true for high +/- rx's? or just the effect on PALs with higher adds?
Distance should be good, no matter the power. Although higher sphere powers combined with the higher ADD power will result in a lot more discomfort. But... if your patient is a -8.00 with a +125 ADD. Should be no problem. But if your patient is a -8.00 with a +2.50 ADD, then there will be discomfort to the patient. Especially if he or she has not worn a progressive before. But a -8.00 no matter what the ADD should see just ass fine through the distance as the distance reference point is farrr above where the lens actually starts to progress. I would suggest not fitting a person who is older with a stronger ADD. Because most often times, they do not like it.
Excellent video. Honestly sad part is I do not get such quality advise from a local spectacle shop. One piece nof advise will really help. I spend most of my time in front of my laptop. I had -ve power and recently got some +ve power as well. In this setting, is it good to have two singular vision lenses or one progressive lenses ?
Weird - almost the same exact dates as the first VHS recorder (1956) and first home VHS player (1977). Anyway - I stand by my statement 100% that the first "user-friendly" progressive the Varilux Comfort came out in the early 90's. Once they figured out where "swim" came from and reversed R/L designs. Technology and surfacing had to catch up to the concept to make an easily wearable design.
Great video. I just bought my first pair of progressives. Haven't received them yet. Hopefully I don't live the nightmare many other people commenting on this video are living.
Stupid question- Do I "have" to even get bifocals OR progressives? Or can I just use single vision, swap to readers if needed (or lift the glasses to read-I'm near sighted). Or will doing this hurt your eyes?
"Have to" heck no! Do whatever works for you. "Hurting your eyes" isn't really a thing. Your brain will tell you when something isn't right and then you just stop wearing those glasses! Many, many people prefer different pairs of glasses for different things. (me for instance). John
Could you explain the physics/optics of how “increasing the add power increases the aberrations across the entire lens”. I understand the distortion along the corridor but above the pupillary area ? Why ?
No. I'm not a physicist or an optical engineer or a mathematician for that matter. In fact I'm rather a bear of little brain. Trust me when I say that has been vetted to the very top and is an accurate statement. In my head you need to think of the unique nature of a progressive. It is fluid, smooth, amorphous it doesn't have actual steps of power. To get that smooth transition the power must be spread across the ENTIRE lens. Increase the power ANYWHERE and the net result is an increase in distortion across the entire surface. Think of the lens like one of those putty exercise balls. You can squeeze it anyway you like but you are still restricted to the volume of the ball. You can't remove material as you wish because then it wouldn't be that ball (power) anymore now would it? John
Do you know a competent professional (fitter for eyewear; I already have my prescription) in Tampa, FL to get fitted, that will properly fit me for lined bifocals and not try to push me into progressive lenses? Cataracts, astigmatism, and they keep wanting to push me into progressives. I need someone who will properly fit me. Thanks, and thank you for the video that confirms what I was thinking!
Many thanks for this very informative explanation... It’s claimed that the Varilux X series is a game changer (on ads of course). So is it really so? I have high negative powers with astigmatism and +1.5 for reading.. so should I try those really expensive lenses or stick to what I have?
Gosh....After watching this I think I'm blessed that I don't need one pair of glasses that do it all (just single vision and only for distance - my near distance sight is fine).
Your big comment about as 'power goes up, so does distortion' now makes perfect sense that all my readers (got till my progressive Rx spex comes in) that are +3 or even +2.5 are terrible in the sides. They seem to only work great when looked through dead centre right smack dab in the middle straight on.
Well, sort of but, well, not really. SV lens distortion comes from something different. But yes kind of --- higher power the worse things get the further you get away from the lens OC or optical center. In a progressive it is unwanted cylinder.
For a few years now I have been using reading glasses but now with age I need glasses for distance as well as reading so decided to go for varifocals (progressive lenses) instead of buying two or three pairs of glasses which would probably come to about the same amount of money. Sure I had to make some changes with regards to head eye movement but it didn't take me long to get used to it and after two weeks now I am adjusting to them very well, much better than I expected. From what I understand you get different qualities of varifocals with the more expensive one having less of the distorted areas on the left and right. I for one am very happy with them and the trade off they give for not having to carry multiple pairs of glasses and constantly taking glasses on and off my face is a major positive. Informative video none the less.
I have progressives and I don't like to move my head to focus all the bloody time! You're a good clear instructor.
I just got mine and don't like them so far for exactly that reason. Constantly moving my head to focus is annoying and seems unnatural.
@@alankoslowski9473are progressive lenses not user-friendly? Are single vision glasses better? I'm seeking advice. Thanks.
Thank you! This really helped me to understand my progressive glasses. I am older, and am a gamer. Gunnar doesn't sell bifocals, only progressives, but I wanted to be able to see my games on my big TV, to be able to see my computer screen, and to see my strategy guides up close. Progressives fit the bill and your video helped me learn to use them right!
How I wish I have seen your video prior to getting my progressive glasses. Everything you said is spot on
Me too. I just got mine and don't like them. There's just too much peripheral distortion. I'll give them another week or two, but if my experience doesn't improve I'll return them for a standard uniform prescription.
@@alankoslowski9473 My last pair of varifocals had none of those problems - it was like using standard lenses, because I could see no peripheral distortion, due to the fact that I didn't buy the cheaper options. However, about 17 months ago, after my eyesight changed, I unwisely went to Specsavers (UK) and chose their (supposedly) premium grade 'tailor-made' version. They were absolute garbage with a narrow clear field. Consequently, I demanded a refund and got it, along with the experience to know never to use Specsavers ever again. Having just had cataract surgery, I'll be using an optician who will provide decent quality varifocal lenses.
My clear glasses have progressive lenses but my sunglasses are bi-focal. This video finally explained why I get eye strain after wearing my clear glasses all day but not my sunglasses, thank you!
The sad part is that it is rare to find this degree of knowledge at your local glasses retailer. My eye doctors is great, knowledgable, etc., but the person selling and fitting your lenses are not always up to spec on the science explained in this video.
But, but, but they should be! That is the job of optician and who these videos are for. Small town maybe no choices but in any urban area to city you will find a few good opticians out there. John
If in Toronto I can recommend an opthomologist top notch and optical
Not only at retailer but often REP's themselves hasn't enough knowledge.
As an optical assistant manager I can whole heartedly agree I’m studying for my NCLE and ABO and am passionate about the field and love educating our patients about refractive errors, lenses, fittings and etc 😁
Ayeo but I wear my progs 24/7 i cant wear a lined anymore XD and holup i got a soft lens i see through the optiswamp everything before 7 or 8 inches
Thank you! I thought I was losing my mind because I couldn't adapt to the lenses and had to take them back. I could see perfectly out of my left eye from top to bottom but my right side lense was blurry. When I told the eye clerk what was going on after putting the glasses on, she then gave me instructions in how to wear the lenses.
I was told to adjust my head up, then back, then to the rear and I immediately thought to myself, wtf type of lense did I just buy? So she told me there would be an adjustment period and to give the lenses some time and to bring them back in after a few weeks if I couldn't adjust.
I took them back 2-weeks later, had my eyes re-examined. I found out my right side went up and that there were a few more issues. I couldn't adjust to the lenses so I found a different eyeglass store, gave them my prescription, and told them I wanted single vision lenses. I pick them up in 6-weeks but in the meanwhile I'm stuck with these progressive lenses.
I’m 51 Got progressives. Bottoms at 2.25. Tried them for 1 week. Life is too short. Getting bifocals. Great video!!
This is disappointing. There are many options for progressives.
Great information! Thanks for posting!
The young ladies who sold me my progressive glasses kept telling me how amazing the progressive lenses will feel and that they will be great for the 8 hours of daily reading I have to do for work. I gave them a real try for one month before returning them. Fortunately I received a refund and this was indeed the worst glasses experience I have had. They never felt right and reading was very difficult with them. They actually handicapped me.
I learned a lot from your video and it validated my perception of progressive lenses.
8 hours of reading a day and they suggested a progressive! Shame - Shame - Shame.... That would be horrible. John
They should have recommended a second pair to you for reading...
As someone about to try my first pair of progressives this is very helpful. Thanks.
This was soooo helpful. Thanks! I was just at the optometrist and they wanted to sell me progressive lenses. I said 'let me do more research first' This was what I needed and convinced me that I want bifocals instead of progressive lenses.
You speak very well with nice, clear diction. Recorded well, too.
Thesse videos are super helpful from a consumer angle. I'm perptually curious and my optometrist didn't have a whisper of these explanations when I got my progressives 2 years ago. I stumbled may way through adapting to them and gave up because they frustrated me. When i told him that after a week or two of wearing he verbally shrugged and said "yeah - they take some getting used to. point your nose to what you want to see" and sent me on my way. I don't go to him anymore.Thank you for detailing how these lenses are constructed and the geometry they've correcting, and pointing out they are compromise/compromised lenses.
Thanks for these educational videos.
It seems, progressive lenses might be useful for a nearsighted person when walking around a city, when you spend most of your time looking at far objects but also have to glance at small nearby objects from time to time (a smartphone, a product description in a shop etc.) without taking your glasses off or when you need additional + for reading.
However, progressive lenses might be a bad choice for a person with nystagmus or amblyopia because they would find it difficult to keep their eyes focused inside that narrow corridor of the progressive lens.
I'm a "poor vision" person since birth (horizontal nystagmus - mostly just tiny vibrations), optic nerve hypoplasia, ocular albinism. I hoped to get some glasses that correct my astigmatism and nearsightedness to make both reading and walking around easier. With my serious conditions I didn't expect miracles. I just hoped for some relief, especially because I was a student who has to walk around a lot. Also I ended up being a programmer, working on a computer every day.
I have visited opticians a few times but somehow always ended up with glasses being too strong for wearing all the time.
Recently I decided to start studying the topic myself and to play with a trial frame and some lenses. Internet is a savior, I got some optometry books and bought cheap lenses. It all started making sense.
I understood what and why exactly went wrong with subjective refraction for my vision. I discovered that I have meridional amblyopia and that very much explained why vertical lines of the astigmatic "clock chart" test always look blurry, no matter which lenses doctors try. So, if the doctor applies full astigmatism correction to my eye, I respond with "I see no difference" when looking at the chart. Then the doctor adds more correction and I still see no difference... until it gets too strong and then I might report feeling unpleasant pressure on my eyes, although the vertical lines still seem the same as without any lenses.
Knowing this, I was able at home to find some smaller SPH and CYL values that make my eyes feel relaxed and make image sharper and that are not too strong, so I can wear them without any ill side effects (taking care about not overminusing myself).
In a month I have an appointment with another doctor to verify these values and get my final prescription for both distance and reading glasses. Reading glasses is a tricky thing because my focus changes widely depending on what kind of text I'm reading (computer screen, book, newspaper...) so I hoped that progressives would be helpful to cover all of those different focus zones. But after watching this video it seems that progressive lenses might be not for me at all because of my nystagmus. My best bet is to have separate glasses for every task or no glasses for close-up at all.
I just hope the doctor will be open to an in-depth conversation. Most of the doctors I've met were cold and closed people who just told me: "Do as I say and don't ask smart/dumb questions!".
Excuse me for this long text and, again, thanks for your videos.
I'd say you have things very well sorted out. Don't discount a good old fashioned lined bifocal. They ever come in 35 and 45mm widths so plenty of room for your unwanted eye movement and still be well within the zone you need to be in. John
I appreciate this overview very much.
Do you have advice for a switch from monovision to bifocal/progressive lenses. Monovision was great when I was teaching, being able to scan the classroom, look down at the text and my notes, as needed. I was amazed and grateful that my eyes and brain worked this out so well! However, I noticed midrange issues as I got older, such as the computer screen and certain of my arts and crafts hobbies. I’m tired of needing to close one eye to find a better focus, and I really dislike the feeling as if the optician and sales staff are rushing me out of the exam without dealing with my concerns. I feel like the sale is all that matters. I already see two ophthalmologists, one for newly diagnosed glaucoma and the other retinologist. I just don’t have a lot of faith in the optometrist and opticians right now.
The switch away from mono-vision (natural or contact lenses) is never an easy one. Sadly it will come down to (a lot of) patience and some experimentation. I wish I had some solid advice but I don't. My wife is going through the same thing, 65+ years of natural mono-vision and then after cataract surgery where both eyes are the same she is struggling. You need to find an optician/optometrist willing to listen and work with you so you can try a few different things. There is a thing called a trial frame where they can test things before committing. Yeah - state of the world today - not much wiggle room for you when they have patients every 10 minutes for 9 hours a day.
This has really helped me. Thanks for such a detailed video
I've been wearing progressive lenses for years. When they first came out, they immediately made me so dizzy I lost my balance. So I waited a few years, and they've been fine for every pair of glasses since -- even ones I got at Lenscrafters (Costco not as good). I usually prefer to go to independent opticians, but their prices now are way out of my reach.
I called your office for guidance, and they were exceptionally kind and helpful.
I'm a 52 year old engineer and I'm just starting to wear glasses. Based on the optician's advice, I ordered progressives - and I hate them. Your explanation of the science and design principles behind progressive lenses is great. There is no chance my optometrist has any understanding of most of this. It's obvious to me that they sell lenses only so that they can sell frames. I know I'm a difficult customer because I want to "understand things". How do I find someone that will work with me to tweak the design of my lenses so that I might actually wear my glasses?
Look for a more "independent" shop. Look around for a shop that uses the IOT designs. Listen for the term free-form. From there hopefully they have a good optician that will work with you on finding a much better design. Engineers are always tough! But - within reason you should be able to find a progressive that is ---- good for everyday use --- BUT NOT GREAT AT ANYTHING --- right? John
@@LaramyKOptical Thanks so much for the reply. I'll give progressives one more shot before surrendering to bifocals for reading/driving and a separate pair for computer work...
@@boppjim How is your progress now?
I’m the same. Engineer and they get fed up with my questions!
I've been wearing progressives for maybe over 10 years, and I wouldn't be without them. I also have a pair of sunglasses with the same prescription, whichbI use exclusively for driving. I disagree about the strain on long journeys. The reason I like progressives is it allows me to see the instruments as well as the distance. Which I struggled with distance only lens.
That's one major thing I'm looking for. I normally do great with an intermediate distance single vision lens (and even adequate for daytime driving, perhaps because of pinhole effect in sunny southern California), and switch to a distance vision lens when I'm driving at night (but then I can't see the dashboard). I wear my glasses for computer work and general walking around (indoors or out) and take them off for reading printed material. I'm thinking about replacing my driving glasses with progressives, limiting the add to an intermediate distance power (+1.25 on my current glasses), to limit the peripheral distortion.
The other thing, though, is that at 63, I'm entering a new career where there is a lot of close-up work AND a lot of computer work. As I'm training in this new career, I find I have to take off my glasses to see up close to examine electronics equipment, and then put them back on again to see the computer or do anything else, back and forth constantly. Very annoying. Further, I occasionally have to look *really* closely (like, 6"), and I find myself trying to adjust or remove glasses I'm not even wearing!
I'm wondering whether or not it would make sense to try what I've seen described as a "regressive" lens (for near and intermediate vision), but the intermediate correction is -2.75 -3 diopters; I don't know how much add would be required for that really close work.
Loved the beginning of the video!! 😂
So, what is the solution?
I also wish I did more research and watched this video before having bought my first, and probably last, pair of progressives, a month ago. I took my optician's word for it, that after a "brief" adjusting period, everything was gonna be wonderful. I believed her and shelled out the equivalent of over $1100 for a pair of HOYA "premium" id custom lenses, with the "widest visual field, smoothest transitions possible." Well... NO, bollocks.
For the life of me I tried to adjust to them for almost a month, and each and every minute was torture. Constant headaches, neck spasms, blurry distance vision no matter how hard I tried to focus... The only improvement over my previous, standard glasses was, naturally, being able to read my phone, tablet, newspaper, etc more comfortably. But that's it, everything else, like watching TV, desktop computing (that's my job by the way), etc, was an absolute nightmare. Not to mention driving... The total loss of lateral vision drove me literally out of my mind, especially behind the wheel. I was absolutely unable to adapt to that, zero, nada. Of course I had them checked for a possible rx mistake, but according to them everything was perfect, I wasn't trying hard enough to "adapt". So I took them back today, for good.
Are you still using progressive lens?
@@sirs4878 No, and I never will.
@@antoineolivier1287 I recently, started using progressive lens but I still trying my best to adopt it. mine is $120 lens, but if not progressive then what we can use, bifocal? Please answer.
The reason (I suppose) these exist is because it affords astronomical profit margins. It is my first day and absolutely hating these, and given how terrible the field-of-vision and how large peripheral astigmatism is, I do not feel compelled to "trick" and "teach" my brain to live-up with this abomination, for the sake of aesthetics and convenience. So "bollocks" it is.
Yeah, almost the same here. The almost complete loss of sharp lateral vision is insane. I have to look exactly straight through the glasses, if my eyes go just 15° to the left of right it starts to get blurry. My optician only told me afterwards when I complained that that's normal and not a specific error with my glasses.
You are so wrong about the driving piece and needing single vision long distance glasses. That may sound good to say but if I wear single vision glasses for driving I can't see items on the dash.
Very helpful vid. I just got my new progressive lenses today. I think there was a mix-up. During the eye exam I was told they're optional, but they were prescribed on the paperwork. The tech suggested I try them since switching back to a standard lens wouldn't be difficult. So far I don't like my progressives. I need glasses mainly for distance, and standard lenses seem much better so far. Maybe I'll get used to them, but with progressives there's just too much peripheral distortion.
The rule of thumb is: When someone is ready for a bifocal or a progressive (you are getting older and lens order has first add power) that you do at least try the progressive design. The thought being that sooner or later you will probably want/need all the ranges that a progressive provides so why not get used to them now. Most people adapt (certainly well above 80%) so the industry isn't risking much and sets the stage for a progressive customer for life. I'm sorry that you felt prescribed since the optician is free to put you in ANY lens design they choose - any notes a doctor makes are just suggestions not law. Hopefully you will adapt but if you don't the common policy (I hope they told you) is they will switch you to a lined style at no additional costs, but don't expect any money back. Anyway - so much depends on your lens powers but multiple pairs is a great way to go and nothing wrong with a good ye olde fashioned lined bifocal either (it's what I wear when I need to). John
@@LaramyKOptical Thank you. There was a typo in previous comment. I need glasses mainly for distance; specifically driving. As you said in the vid, standard lenses are better for this, and yes, they told me they'd switch out the progressives free of charge.
Great piece of information. You saved me from getting fooled by progressive lens ads
I just found this and it helped explain not only how my new lens works but also how to use it. Thanks you thank you thank you!!!
I.am short sight for long distance since childhood, one eye is pretty blind ,now I have different eye power for near distance too . After this video I decided to go with bifocal...thanks !
With my bad eyes the narrow middle sight and the blurry edges will just give me headaches...
For people with no such bad eyes and little power difference between eyes may work good.
Nothing wrong with a good old fashioned bifocal. You will save a lot of money as well. Best if you can get them to go with a slightly weaker add. If your full is a +2.50 ask to go +2.25 etc. That way you'll get some intermediate.
for driving long hours. many of my patients are truck drivers, and require the use of progressives to see the dash of the truck. Would you still recommend a second pair of single vision in that case ??
thank you !!
If the progressive lens works for them then I wouldn't "force" them into anything else. If I had a truck driver that was complaining about wearing progressives (a real non-adapt) I'd try with a lined bifocal with the intermediate in the segment. There are progressive designs from IOT that heavily favor the driving position. I know that some of the truckers can be a hard fit. They sit an odd position (up so high) when compared to a car and have a lot of things to keep track of.
@@LaramyKOptical thank you so much for your quick response! i will keep that info in mind. And a big thank you to all of your videos- which have been helping me through school!
Can u do a video to show what the options look like? I'm confused. Is there any line at all on progressive lenses?
I've been wearing progressives for 20 yrs and they are a workhorse lens good at most but not great. I read with a pair of computer lenses which allow me to read with relaxed eyes. Larry,this was most informative video. I just may get a pair of bifocals as my distance with them is clearer as demonstrated by wearing an old pair. Reading through the bottom works well too. The only thing I don't miss is the "step". Thank you.
I'm 51 and just got my first pair of progressive lens glasses. Like most people that get them for the first time I hate them because they are just tough to get used to. You mentioned that they are not great "all day" glasses. I am a computer programmer. would you suggest I also get a pair of medium (computer monitor distance) glasses to wear most of the time at work?
YES!
@@LaramyKOptical thanks for the reply. I find at work that since i have 4 monitors i have to turn my head so much with the progressives on that it absolutely wears me out. at home, with only 2 monitors, the progressives are not so bad.
@@geecee1990 I work with two monitors for the video editing and wear a single vision intermediate pair. You will be very, very happy with that over progressives.
I also work a computer job where i have to look at moniters for 12 hours straight. I have 5 moniters to watch. Most are right in front of me, at arms length. And one is pretty much touching the ceiling. I am okay with my single lense seeing them now. I have never had trouble seeing the moniters with glasses on. I am near sighted. I had to got to my annual eye check up. I was prescribed an add on, added to my glasses. I was told it was to make them "reading glasses" because of my job. I specifically asked for them not to be made bifocals, or anything similar due to my job. I even told my the nurse there when she asked that i actually take my glasses off at night to read, because i dont need them for reading. I didnt notice my prescription until i got home. Will it be difficult it chaged to singles. I am not going to get them to 'try" them because i cant afford glasses i cant wear. My office is really tiny. I would not even have the room to lean my head back that far to see a moniter basically on the ceiling. I alreay have neck issues.
hi
please can progressive lense helps to zoom tiny onject....i have difficulty in reading tiny object
For anything very tiny a single vision near pair will be a much better option. Any progressive with an add high enough to work on something very small will have optics that are a bit of a mess. If you must have distance/near then go with a lined bifocal - any decent optician should have fun making those up with the powers you might need. Just push that add up as high as you need (or is available) for what you do. That would be a much, much better choice, you'll see better and save some serious money too.
Prescribed power Dv +0.75 and add +2.00 . I need +1.25 as intermediate power. If I buy a progressive lens then what will be the exact intermediate power and why?? Please describe.🙏
As shown in the video (and explained in others) progressive means variable or changing so there is no such thing as "exact" intermediate power. Somewhere between the distance circle and the full add of 2.00 there will be 1.25 but where exactly it will be depends on many things. Sounds like you might want to look an office progressive design.
Good day, many thanks for all these useful videos. I like your presentation, you always make it attractive.. ✨👏👌
Thanks I am only 5 mins in and you have just saved me $300, won't be bothering one size fits all is for shifting spanners.
It's a bummer for me, I just got mine today and I'm watching this while I have my progressive on right now.. I'm only 6 hours in but my eyes are so tired and strained 😫
@@savithrivenugopal When I first got mine, long-time ago now, I was advised to slowly build up the wearing period over two or three weeks.
Very informative! Thanks, I am wearing my first progressive lenses for about 3 months now and it took me couple of weeks for my eyes to adjust . But lately, I have been feeling sea-sick after wearing for a prolonged time (eg. from morning to night, 7 days).... that’s also the ugly part. It’s a good thing I still kept my other pair of glasses in case my eyes (and my brain) need a break!
How do I find a place where the lenses are made by laramy k? How would I know?
Call the lab 800-525-1274 or drop us an email through the Laramy-K website. Thanks
I just got a pair of RALPH #RA7061 (375065004) 1 $ 149.00
Polycarb PANORAMA EARLY PRESBYOPE 2 $ 660.00
TRNGRYGEN7
INVISIBLES UV DUAL SIDE-T and i don't think they're right as i'm seeing things in like 3d form like i feel like i have a vr headset on or something. I think they must be to strong but been told give them at least 3 week to adjust ugh, my first pair of glasses so not quite sure on what to expect but there is no way i could go down stairs ect with them on i would miss judge the steps indeed any advice i would very much appreciate.
Hi, I work in an opticians and also study optometry in the UK so I know a bit of both worlds. Without knowing the full details of your prescription and the lens (unfortunately I haven't seen this design on the UK) I can't give a great deal of advice but I can tell you that in optics for everything you gain you almost always lose something, with progressives you gain clarity across all distances (distance, intermediate, near) but lose peripheral field in the lens, especially at near and intermediate. Adaptation is always needed for first time wearers since where in the past you could just point your eyes any direction and see, now if you point you eyes in the wrong direction youll be out of focus hence your issues going down stairs. Eventually your brain will adapt if you give it chance to. Best people to get advice from. Ultimately are the people who dispensed the glasses to you, just go back if they don't work out. Hope this helps!
@@dee1373 wow that's quite a big difference! Hard to understand how such a big difference in prescriptions could exist in the space of a few weeks! Hope the new pair works out for you.
Your videos are super helpful and I enjoy watching them.
I have a Question Larry, if I make mistakes on a free form personalized design (bad frame fit/PD), does this magnifies the error more than a conventional lens?
I would say it would be the same.
@@LaramyKOptical Thank you too much Larry, im learning too much from you, my company is doing an effort to educate opticians here in México, its a hard work but we believe we are making a difference and the influence of your teachings is having an impact here, I would love to have you speak on our blog, we really admire you! Thanks for everything you do.
@@javiernarvaez3081 Always love to hear that the videos are helping others. I wish we could get a Spanish version of the website! Maybe someday. John
I am aged 54 . Should I for separate lense for reading & computer work ? And separate for out side use ?
What do you think about Zeiss anti fatigue lenses in +.75 ADD on a -2.00 both eye frame? They really helped my eye relax with close phone tasks and casual daily use but they made me dizzy and the lens is only really clear towards the direct top of the lens which was not ideal driving with and seemed like the add was too high up. Peripherals weren’t super clear but I guess that’s normal, I gave it 9 days of nonstop wear. Even with those problems, I’m kind of regretting having them changed back to regular single vision but the Dr insisted I am probably non adaptive to them and didn’t seem interested in remaking them with the reading part lower, she just ordered them in distance only. Upon using my back up distance pair for reading, I realize how much they helped. Any suggestions?
You ask, "what do I think" = I think those lenses are unecessary marketing. Your normal healthy human eye has enough accommodation to handle the world around you until you are in your 40's. Figure out a way to break up the time you spend on small digital devices!
@ thank you for your response!
Been wearing progressives for about 2 months -- took a few weeks to get used to them. I do a lot of work on my computer and my neck is absolutely killing me (from the constant moving my head to focus on different parts of the screen). I'm going back to dedicated reader glasses for working, and will keep the progressives when doing anything else (watching TV, being outside, driving, etc).
I hate always being right.
;-)
You'll love having that dedicated computer pair!
sir can u make video on progressive fitting and whole procedure including all markings we do.
Working on them but no promises on when they will go live. So much there to cover! If you really break it ALL down you probably have around 4 or maybe 5 hours+ of material. Every minute of video you see = two hours of editing time. 60 X 5 X 2, you get the idea. They will happen - in fact the way things are headed (15 years from now) opticians only real function will be in dispensing progressive lenses. John
One doctor prescibed single focus lens for me and other doctor prescribed Progressive lens for me. I am confused which one to go for.
How can you help me?
No one is "prescribing" anything. You are provided with a set of lens powers that you (and maybe and optician) are free do anything you want with. I'd watch a bunch of our other videos and find a great independent optician you can trust and talk with them. You should get the option(s) that will best meet your needs (and maybe budget). John
At 53 I wore glasses for distance and usually wore reading glasses on my head. Fed up wearing 2 pairs or glasses at a time I went for progressives. (I had mono vision LASIK done in one eye 5 years previous and it had regressed.) I had 2.5 dopiters difference between my eyes, one -, one +. I got theHoya Mystyle lens and though it isn’t perfect it is a great option for me and I am overall very happy. I do still use readers if I read a book. I no longer find myself taking them on and off like I used to do constantly.
THIS GUY KNOWS! thank you so much,Progressive Lens suuuck!
I am thinking about getting contact lenses for general use and get eye glasses for computer while contact lenses are on than getting bi-focal or progressive lenses. Does it work?
It can. Depends on so many things. The biggest problem is that by the time we need a progressive our eyes have started to dry out and when we focus on things at int/near our blink rate slows. That combination isn't very good for contacts. Certainly worth a try but it will take a little experimentation. You may do great!
@@LaramyKOptical Thanks!
I picked up my progressives yesterday to help for long distance vision. Such a narrow field of vision. Left and right side of the lens gets blurry when I look through it. Plus watching tv... everything looks clear looking directly straight but but when I move my eyes (without moving my head) to look left or the right side of the tv... those both sides of the picture goes blurry. Plus, when I look at my phone through any part of the lense it is blurry, a tiny,tiny bit clearer when looking through the bottom half but still not clear. Once I take the glasses off...I can see my phone perfectly fine. Is this normal for progressives or should I take my glasses back to the store?. Thanks for any input
Oh my... Where to begin --- If things are clear looking level headed and straight out that is a very good thing. It sounds like you might need to wear them a bit and then decide. Move your head up and down in the vertical, move the object (phone), move yourself and you should find a sweet spot for almost anything. I'd practice a bit before tossing them. Sounds like the optician should have spent some time with you explaining how to use a progressive for the first time wearer. For distance, "point your nose at what you want to look at" because yes the sides will be blurry. John
@@LaramyKOptical thanks John. I will try them for a few weeks and see how it goes. So I guess basically when I'm driving my head will be moving all over the place and the police will think I am drunk or crazy or both lol. Plus watching TV I will have to keep moving my head. That will look strange too 🤣
@@MiaN..N Give them a few, you will probably get used to it. Billions of folks are wearing them! BUT - BIG BUT - if you can't then switch to a good old lined bi-focal instead. Nothing wrong with them. John
March 20,2020 I was talked into getting progressive 3 days in and I’m catching hell when I’m reading it fine I have a problem seeing things far are that are not really for example when a person is approaching me i having a hard time zooming in in what they really look like I cant really tell until their right up on me
Why is this that once I put on glasses I can no more see clearer from close up but without glasses I see really well from close up and don’t need reading glasses ? Can someone tell me if this is normal ?
You're getting older and need progressives :)
I noticed a problem with those and bifocals that I haven't heard a solution to. Convergence. When we read a menu in a restaurant, our eyes converge. But the channels of progression don't. They are vertical. Is that so lenses can be used for either eye or is it an oversight? Either way, it's wrong.
Convergence is very much a part of progressive lens design, always has been. Even a lined ST bifocal the segment you can see is offset for the same reason.
Excellent and informative video
Im still pretty new and very confused about glasses. I need a new pair cause I haven't been wearing mine and they're old. But I have the max astigmatism and I'm apparently a bit nearsighted in one eye and farsighted in the other. What kind of lenses can I get?? I thought I had to get progressives for my vision.
Get an eye exam, get a refraction and then find a good optician. You will need to wear something small, have good measurements taken, use a high-index lens and get a good non-glare coating. Unless you are over 40 you shouldn't need a progressive. Depending on how high the powers are and how long you have done without you may need to build up in power but that is doubtful. You will have some adaptation time however. You may even benefit from a free-form single vision lens if you can afford it. John
Thank you very much for this video. I saw an optometrist today because I don't see far away that clear anymore. I never wore glasses before. An optician was pushing progressive lenses and I am glad I decided to think. I am looking at my Rx and I am still confused. Sphere -1.00; cylinder -0.50; Axis 110; add +1.50. Does add +1.50 mean I also need reading glasses? Should I chose bifocals?
Whoa - OK Almost too much to answer... Assuming the -1.00 - 0.50 X 110 is for both eyes or they are very close anyway... Yes the +1.50 says you need some power for reading. But -1.00 (+) 1.50 is just +.50 so you do but you don't. Just take your glasses off to see things up close! If you feel the need, with cylinder that low you could even try some over-the-counter +1.00, +1.25 and +1.50 readers and see what/if that works. Again, assuming both eyes are the same. I guess my answer would be, "Don't rush into anything." If you want follow up please email me through the OpticianWorks website. Thanks John
@@LaramyKOptical Thank you very much, John. I wish the optometrist I saw explained even half...
I guess their main focus was to sell me the most expensive glasses, not to help with my vision and explain everything.
I wish more of my coworkers would watch your channel! Thanks for clarifying about PALs
Great info, and great delivery of content.
Is it possible to make a pair of glasses that correct vision to watch TV at a 9.5” distance, O.25 right eye no change left eye?
Sure. That almost falls inside the normal range of a distance pair where the brain and the eye take over but - just back off the minus a little maybe adding +0.50 or +0.75 and see how it goes. You can always try dropping a pair of drugstore readers in +1.00 over the regular pair and see if that is what you after. If it helps at all then you know you are on the right track anyway... It will take a little experimentation. Heck if you have an old pair with weaker minus just try those. John
@@LaramyKOptical just tried the +1.00 drug store pair, they work except for reading the credits, also tried +1.25 and they were worse, if I had to guess I’d say +0.75 is the sweet spot for my right eye. I’ve now noticed that my left eye could also use some correction. Since the original prescription was no change on the left eye and 0.25 on the right would I be correct in assuming left eye would be +0.50 if the right eye is in fact +0.75? Thanks:)
@@chrishopkin9273 Yes - depending on your age and perception (perception not "prescription") you might find a +0.50/+0.75 a help at that distance. Maybe you might luck out and find two pair on line and swap lenses around for a test first. looks like Walmart sells both +0.50 and +0.75.
@@LaramyKOptical But if he got eyeglasses prescribed to him it would be more accurate for him than .5/.75 to like say .4788/.5098 or is that impossible ?
For me a hyperopic presbyopic person, progressive lenses is a must to be able to use computer and read a paper. I cannot work without them and I tried the line bifocals and they can't replace them. They are more tricky to order and often need a remake and they are more expensive, of course, but other than that they are perfect.
Fair enough! As I mention in the video I have nothing against them but they are far from perfect!
Trying see if its worth it for driving. Another issue is bright car head lights. What to get for night time driving? What is that feature called?
The name for that is nothing. Unless you need to wear glasses then it is non-glare or anti-reflective but that only helps when it is a good quality coating, treated well and replaced every few years. Don't jump in the black-hole of "night-driving" glasses - not really a thing.
What frames can I have with progressive lenses?
Most.
I use glasses since the age of seven, myopia and astigmatism, started to use progressive lenes in 2013, never had any distortions it worked for 6 years, now will get my new glasses this week. Bit I made an big research and went to chose Hoya Argos Trueform, couldn't be more happy with it thanks for the video!
I have a question about bifocals. All mine were glass lenses and I could not feel the line , the new pair are plastic lenses and I can feel the line with my fingers on the inside. The closeup was not different . Do you know if glass is cut different than plastic?
The power is the same. The focal length is the same. They should work the same. The glass lenses use a higher index glass for power in the segment area which is "melted" into the distance lens. The plastic lenses get their power from the steeper curve (hence the ledge). Unless you had/have a very specific reason to wear glass you should do fine with either one. John
@@LaramyKOptical , thank you , makes perfect sense to me. I always liked glass better since it does not scratch very easy and seems to offer a clearer vision than plastic. Yet now days most places do not offer glass lenses. The stronger the script became the more they weighed so I would choose smaller frames and always went with metal frames. Now what most places offer what is titled small is not small by my definition . Last pair were easy clip with very small oval frames now the smallest oval frames are one third larger. I've now for the first time dealt with online makers and many don't offer bifocals in a small frame. The last place I got mine had no issue fitting bifocal lenses in these small frames 39mm wide x 30mm height, the bifocal area just didn't have the full lower circle at the bottom.
@@williamjahn7514 Yep! That is one of the huge benefits of a lined bifocal - it can be fit into a smaller frame and still work exactly as it should. A progressive lens can't do that.
Will people that are used to an office multifocal, 6 ft range, be more ready to adapt to progressive when they need distance correction?
Yes. No. Maybe. On one hand they have worn a progressive lens. On the other hand they have worn a progressive lens with a limited distance but pretty generous areas of usable vision. It's all going to come down to the wearer and to some extent their lens powers. The best way to get more out of a progressive is to ask less of it... John
I tried progs for about 2 weeks and I decided that my perifrial vision was extremely valuable to me. I was able to get them replaced with just distance and an upgrade to trivex
What is Trivex?
@@PCConditioning Trivex is a lens material that luxury sunglasses use like Maui Jim. Although optical glass is clearest it is heavy & can shatter. Trivex is clearer than poly, lighter, & stronger. So the best of both worlds.
Would you recommend progressive lens in sports glasses?
No. Maybe watch the video on occupational lenses. I can't think of a sport that wouldn't be compromised by a progressive. Just IMO of course.
How do the Add +2.00 works? My old prescription was Add +1.75 and now it's +2.00 and I am only 43 years old. Should I be concerned?
The need for an add power usually starts about your age and builds from 1 to 2.25 or 2.75 around 50-55. There are no strict rules. Some doctors even do it solely based on your age. You can test things for yourself - grab those +1.75 and see if you can read everything that you need to. Yes stick with a +1.75. No you will need that bump up to 2.00. It depends on so many things. But - no way around the rule of progressives: As power increases ANYWHERE on the lens the distortion throughout the entire lens increases with it.
I've got my 1st progressive lenses 2 days ago , i have never heard about it before but it was strongly advised by the optical shop , i returned back by the other day , don't ever try , it is not easy to get used of it , you have to adjust your sight angle / eyes level to the proper position to enable you to see , otherwise you can't see probably , it is very costly compared to normal lenses and doesn't give comfortable feeling
Ala, did you get your money back when you returned them? I just got mine and boy I had no idea it was gonna be this complicating. My eyes are strained trying to focus the near and far.
@@savithrivenugopal
They didn't return the money back , but they replaced the lenses to normal lenses, for reading i have to take off the glasses now , but im very comfortable with that now compared to progressive lenses
@@alaabd9 I'm still getting used to my progressive, definitely feeling more comfortable after a week than I was the first few days. I've learned how to look move my head up, down and sideways better now 👍
@@savithrivenugopal
Lucky you ... happy to hear that 👍
Hello. Thanks for all of the great information. One question, though. As a Firefighter/Paramedic for years I have gotten accustomed to wearing Progressive lenses for quit a while. I am currently taking training at a Range for Firearm Safety. What could I do for glasses at the range where 25-30 is the distance that I need to cover? Are there single distance contacts that I could use with the protective goggles that are required? I don't believe I need to have the reading or intermediary distance lenses while at the range. What would be your input in this issue? Thanks for your response. David
I would say that contact lenses would be an excellent choice if that is an option. Sadly shooting and glasses is dependent on the type of shooting and it get very complicated very quickly. Open sights? Scope? Red-Dot? Rifle, Pistol... Yep - I'd try some variation of a basic distance SV lens (maybe in safety) or contacts. * of course reloading magazines is a near-intermediate distance... sorry being old sucks - I know!
Wonderful presentation
Hey Guys, worth noting that for some people they do work. I really enjoy not having a clear line in my lens. I also work in a profession in which I am constantly swapping between close, mid and long distance and I find the progressives handle it beautifully. Previously I was using single distance and was getting horrible headaches from the constant swapping. While it is good to be informed, progressive lenses can be good for some people too :)
I do say, "billions with a b of people are wearing them!" I think I follow that with, "...and they work great for many things." And the title is The Good... ;-) John
@@LaramyKOptical Sorry John, Comment not directed at your video, just at the vast majority of comments claiming progressive lenses are rubbish.
@@ryannicholls3372 Yeah, I noticed that people do like to toss blanket "progressives are a rip off" kinds of statements about pretty easily. I can understand where it comes from but when billions with a b are wearing them, well...
@@ryannicholls3372 most people criticise and hate what they don't understand
I got my first pair of glasses when I was 6 with a growth related myopia. When I reached the age that most people's arms are getting too short, my eyes started getting "better". My max was 20/700 in one eye, 20/650 in the other. By the time I got my first pair of progressives, I was down to 600 in one, 550 in the other. I was a secretary who spent most of the time on my computer doing lots of data entry but would have to look 20-30 feet away to see who was coming in. Progressives saved my sanity! 😂
After my cataract surgery I now have 20/20 & 20/40. Since I've retired (I just turned 71) I don't have all of the rapid changes & I do find I take off my glasses for close detail work. Maybe it's time to go back to single vision? Thank you for explaining why I'm having little troubles and it might not be just my age.
Do do you recommend Bifocals instead? What do you recommend as best lens for Presbyopia?
I'm no expert, but I've been wearing glasses for 65 years. Most people I know who have no other complicating factors, for example, severe astigmatism, get along just fine with the "cheaters" you can buy at CVS for mild Presbyopia. But like I said, I'm not a professional, so don't make any permanent decisions without spending the money for a pro. It's always worth it.
love the out takes!
Thanks. I think was the first one where we included any. Most of our later ones have them. I doubt very strongly if most people even know they are there. Gotta admit they always crack me up me and I'm me.
Thank you so much for your nice videos. 😊
This video is extremely helpful. I have been wearing bifocals but am considering progressive lenses. I am sixty years old, far sighted, have a strong prescription and a lot of astigmatism. Should I not even bother trying progressives?
Most places will switch you back to a traditional bifocal from a progressive for a non-adapt. They won't return the difference in costs but you don't have all that much to lose in trying. [check first of course] And plus people tend to do a little better than minus folks do so you have that on your side. And I'm sure you have already figured it out - find a good optician you can trust and get the "good stuff." John
I just bought progressive glasses.. I hate them. I see worse with them than with single vision. I just need to take my glasses off to read. Why would anyone want these glasses??????? everything is blurry, everything moves, field of clear vision is minuscule.
Like I say, "They aren't for everyone."
Karla. I am in the same boat. I got talked into getting progressive lenses and I picked them up yesterday to have as a backup pair of glasses. So far I hate them,so much blur on both sides of the lense. With my old single vision glasses...I did the same thing as you , use them for distance and take them off when I want to read. I think I am going to order a single vision lense again
Same experience ! I hate progressives I see a lot better with single vision for distance and then take them of fit reading ! I was talked into progressives 2 years straight ! I’m thinking it was a selling point ! I just went back to optometrist yesterday and they ordered me the single vision !
I just got the progressive as well. I have a very mild prescription and hate them. I can see way more without them! So horrible. I’ll go back to single vision and take them off to read. Thank you for this video. Makes sense.
I would have to agree. Trying my first pair now and that’s been exactly my experience.
I knowbim latw to the game but i had to get my firat pair of glasses a d rhe optometrist auggested progressive. I hate them for comouter work. Your videos have helped me underatand why. Now i know what to ask about.
what is the right way to get the point of distance and reading for progressive lenses ? can you make vedio for parameters. thanks
I'm not 100% sure I understand your question? Verification of progressives is covered in the lensmeter series. Actual visual acuity correction would be determined through refraction and I don't (can't/not allowed) do that. John
Laramy-K Optical
Hi may be my language not enough to understand me
Simply just if you have a video how we get centurion for customer
I mean fitting hight
We get it by iPad
I need the right way because sometimes my customer comfort sometimes not comfortable
I get fitting hight and back vertics
Pantoscopic angel and reading area
@@aburashed6 That is something I'll cover some time this coming year. We are just starting to touch on dispensing topics. I do cover it step-by-step with images and illustrations on the OpticianWorks website. Short answer: pre-adjust frame, sit across from customer - level and eye-to-eye and dot the center or lower edge of their pupil on the demo lens. For PD use a pupilometer. John
Laramy-K Optical
Thanks
thank you this was beautifully explained.
You are so welcome!
Are there auto darkening contacts ?
Not that I know of. They have played around with different tints and of course color contacts but no not any variable ones. I would think blinking might cause some issues?
Great! Now I will approach the Opticians in an informed manner! Thanks
I’ve worn progressives all my life & I recently switched to this adorable single vision pair that I bought offline, however, I don’t wear them much outside of the house because they are so vivid & it makes me dizzy. I can see clearly, but too clear. It seems very off. It’s hard to get adjusted to them, so I usually don’t wear them for long. I’ve been diving through so many articles & videos trying to find out what is off with these glasses. If I wear them more, will I get adjusted to them? Is the prescription wrong? Has my PD changed? I’m not sure, but your video has been very helpful & I will continue to search for the solution, so that the next pair I order are wearable.
A single vision pair of distance glasses should rarely if ever give you any problems. Dizzy is not a good thing. I assume you mean bought online so you would need to find an optician willing to check what you got and compare it to what you should have. Like anything else if you bought them online and they don't work then SEND THEM BACK! John
Good advice another margarita👍🏼
Thanks
Only now am beginning to understand as you explain. As increased magnification then more critical is the compromise with "progressive". My eyes are from 2.5 ti 4.5 close up so thinking that a distinct by focus line at with 4.5 about 26% from bottom will be better than the middle range being a distortion area! Is "executive" the type of lenses I am thinking of? Learning, thanks. Richie
You don't want an "Executive" but a lined bifocal is an option.
Thank you for the thorough explanation!!
Great informative video! Thank you!
Why are there no true no line bifocals? No matter where i go they are all either progressive that i cant wear, or lined bifocals. I just want two visions distance and near across the lens with no line.
ruclips.net/video/1bGwFJW7_SU/видео.html
Thank you for the information. I was considering progressive lenses. I now wear bi-focal. I can not afford more than one pair. The thing I want to get but local optical stores always say I can hardly get, is glass lenses. Why is that?
I was myopic and glass lenses got too heavy. They don't scratch as easily as plastics, but if something breaks the lens, they shatter & could blind you. Stick to plastic.
As power goes up, so does distortion throughout the lens, can you go further into detail about this? Is this true for high +/- rx's? or just the effect on PALs with higher adds?
What I'm talking about, marginal astigmatism is only found in progressive designs. John
Distance should be good, no matter the power. Although higher sphere powers combined with the higher ADD power will result in a lot more discomfort. But... if your patient is a -8.00 with a +125 ADD. Should be no problem. But if your patient is a -8.00 with a +2.50 ADD, then there will be discomfort to the patient. Especially if he or she has not worn a progressive before. But a -8.00 no matter what the ADD should see just ass fine through the distance as the distance reference point is farrr above where the lens actually starts to progress. I would suggest not fitting a person who is older with a stronger ADD. Because most often times, they do not like it.
Excellent video. Honestly sad part is I do not get such quality advise from a local spectacle shop.
One piece nof advise will really help. I spend most of my time in front of my laptop. I had -ve power and recently got some +ve power as well. In this setting, is it good to have two singular vision lenses or one progressive lenses ?
"Most of your time at a laptop" = single vision intermediate pair is the way to go.
@@LaramyKOptical Thank You
Bernard Maitenaz invented progressive lenses in 1959. The first progressive lens released made out of plastic was in 1976, the Varilux Orma.
Weird - almost the same exact dates as the first VHS recorder (1956) and first home VHS player (1977). Anyway - I stand by my statement 100% that the first "user-friendly" progressive the Varilux Comfort came out in the early 90's. Once they figured out where "swim" came from and reversed R/L designs. Technology and surfacing had to catch up to the concept to make an easily wearable design.
At what point should you not get progressive lenses?
Tell me more and I'll see if I can help you. John
Great video. I just bought my first pair of progressives. Haven't received them yet. Hopefully I don't live the nightmare many other people commenting on this video are living.
Stupid question- Do I "have" to even get bifocals OR progressives? Or can I just use single vision, swap to readers if needed (or lift the glasses to read-I'm near sighted). Or will doing this hurt your eyes?
"Have to" heck no! Do whatever works for you. "Hurting your eyes" isn't really a thing. Your brain will tell you when something isn't right and then you just stop wearing those glasses! Many, many people prefer different pairs of glasses for different things. (me for instance). John
@@LaramyKOptical Thank you for being so honest! And answering so quickly.
Could you explain the physics/optics of how “increasing the add power increases the aberrations across the entire lens”. I understand the distortion along the corridor but above the pupillary area ? Why ?
No. I'm not a physicist or an optical engineer or a mathematician for that matter. In fact I'm rather a bear of little brain. Trust me when I say that has been vetted to the very top and is an accurate statement. In my head you need to think of the unique nature of a progressive. It is fluid, smooth, amorphous it doesn't have actual steps of power. To get that smooth transition the power must be spread across the ENTIRE lens. Increase the power ANYWHERE and the net result is an increase in distortion across the entire surface. Think of the lens like one of those putty exercise balls. You can squeeze it anyway you like but you are still restricted to the volume of the ball. You can't remove material as you wish because then it wouldn't be that ball (power) anymore now would it? John
Thank you sir.It was very informative and helped me to make an informative decision.
Do you know a competent professional (fitter for eyewear; I already have my prescription) in Tampa, FL to get fitted, that will properly fit me for lined bifocals and not try to push me into progressive lenses? Cataracts, astigmatism, and they keep wanting to push me into progressives. I need someone who will properly fit me. Thanks, and thank you for the video that confirms what I was thinking!
This helped so much
Many thanks for this very informative explanation...
It’s claimed that the Varilux X series is a game changer (on ads of course). So is it really so? I have high negative powers with astigmatism and +1.5 for reading.. so should I try those really expensive lenses or stick to what I have?
No magic pixie dust Khaled. Just go for the best you can afford from someone you trust. ruclips.net/video/MybVEAhui5U/видео.html
Gosh....After watching this I think I'm blessed that I don't need one pair of glasses that do it all (just single vision and only for distance - my near distance sight is fine).
Your big comment about as 'power goes up, so does distortion' now makes perfect sense that all my readers (got till my progressive Rx spex comes in) that are +3 or even +2.5 are terrible in the sides. They seem to only work great when looked through dead centre right smack dab in the middle straight on.
Well, sort of but, well, not really. SV lens distortion comes from something different. But yes kind of --- higher power the worse things get the further you get away from the lens OC or optical center. In a progressive it is unwanted cylinder.