Not All Progressive Lenses Are Created Equal
The concept of progressive lenses and how they work can seem very complex, especially for those who struggled to adapt after purchasing an expensive pair. While economic reports tout a strong economy, many individuals lack $500-1000 for lenses that may not meet their needs - often this leads to buyers remorse.
It's best to think of progressive lenses like vehicle purchases. When shopping for a truck, a salesperson's first question is often "what will you use it for?" Towing, off-roading, cargo hauling - each demands different capabilities. Likewise, understanding an individual's occupational and lifestyle functions is key to selecting the optimal progressive lens design. And with literally hundreds of progressive lens designs and configurations the right one for you is out there and it is the opticians job to find it. (Yes it is a custom process and not everyone will like or be able to use the same progressive lens design)
An architect working at a drafting table has different visual demands than a truck driver or office worker. Asking "what's the function" (WTF) provides opticians insight to finding and recommending the best progressive lens design/manufacture for you. ** Also Just as one truck may not fulfill all needs, a single pair of glasses may not work for everything. You may need occupational and non-occupational progressive lenses. Questioning WTF and available options helps consumers avoid inadequate or mismatched lenses.
Progressive lens designs vary significantly in key parameters:
- Drop - Distance from distance to the beginning of the corridor (where the power change starts and you begin entering the multifocal area)
- Corridor length - Time to reach maximum reading area
- Corridor width - Lateral reading area size
- Peripheral distortion - Side-to-side image clarity
- Reading area size - amount of room for close work (amount of maximum bifocal power space)
These factors determine visual experience and suitability for an individual's tasks or lifestyle. Struggling to find the right focal range or head nodding/hunting could indicate an ill-fitting pair of progressive lenses or wrong progressive lens design . Occasionally getting your glasses adjusted can impact wearability but will not correct for the wrong lens design.
In upcoming segments, we'll explore proper fitting considerations and the role of adjustments to optimize the progressive lens experience based on consumers' visual needs and functions. Purchasing should involve an informed discussion of WTF to find the best design/customer match.
*** As a side note regular non occupational progressive lenses are offered in hundreds of different designs and configurations and several different manufacturers. All aspects of the lens and the design of the lenses are different. And just because you failed or didn't like the design or manufacturer your optician choose for you doesn't mean you will have the same fate with a different lens/design/manufacture. This is where the optician needs to pay attention to the WTF and drill down and learn about you and your needs. If you have had trouble with your progressive lenses you might be in the wrong progressive lens and need to work with your optician to find one that works better for you because it is out there!