Let's Talk About: Progressives Lenses, Bifocals, and Reading Glasses
Progressive lenses are one of the most common questions I get from patients every day. As they begin to lose the ability to focus on their phones, computers, books, or other reading materials, they want to know their options. Let’s start by learning what happens to your eyes as you age into your 40’s. Then we’ll talk about lens options.
How My Eyes Work to Focus
Before we get into the optics of progressive lenses and other lens options, here is the background on how your eye works. This will help you understand what’s changing and what your best options could be. At Moody Eyes we are always here to help you understand how your eyes age and answer any questions you might have.
There are four basic parts to your eye involved with seeing clearly:
The cornea is the clear tissue in front of your eyes. If you’ve worn contacts, this is where they sit. The cornea does about 70% of bending the light entering your eyes to focus it on your retina.
The pupil is the central “hole” in the iris (colored part of your eye) that lets light into the back of your eyes. This adjusts in size for the brightness of your environment, getting much smaller in bright sunlight and large in a dark room.
The lens sits behind the pupil and adjusts your focus for various distances. As you focus from far away to your cell phone, the lens changes shape to keep the image clear.
The retina is the back of your eye, where the image is changed from light to nerve impulses. These are carried by the optic nerve to the brain, where vision takes place.
For example, when your finger touches a corner, an impulse is sent to your brain where you are made aware your finger is touching a corner. You feel the corner with your finger; you know it’s a corner because of your brain.
What Does Presbyopia Mean?
As you age and develop Presbyopia…Presby = “older”; opia – “sight”. This happens when your lens starts to lose its flexibility over about a 10-year period, typically from your early 40’s to early 50’s. This is normal part of the aging process. It is not a disease, but a part of the natural aging process for everyone. When you start having trouble focusing from distance to near, you should consider progressive lenses in Indianapolis.
This eye diagram can help you visualize what happens when your lens starts to lose the ability to change focus:
Common Signs of Presbyopia
Holding your cell phone or book at arm’s length
Eye strain or headaches after reading or in the afternoon
Blurry vision when trying to read
Needing brighter light for close work
Asking a friend or spouse to read a menu for you
Progressive Lenses and Other Options to Correct Your Vision with Presbyopia
First, you have to accept that you have a vision issue. I have had many patients deny they have a problem with near vision until they are desperate. It is much better to accept your eyes are naturally aging and schedule an eye exam.
Secondly, you will need to understand what your options are to correct your vision. There are 3 main options: no-line progressives, bifocals, or single vision reading glasses. Let’s look at each of these.
Use this diagram of progressive lenses and other lens designs for reference as you read…
Progressive Lenses (aka: No-Line Bifocals)
You probably know someone wears progressive lenses in Indianapolis. These lenses are great for general, everyday wear:
You can see clearly at all distances
There are no visible lines, so other people won’t notice
Smooth transition between zones
Often require 2-3 days to adapt to wearing; can take up to 10-14 days
A higher cost than the other options; using your vision plan benefits typically help
Dr. Moody wears these for general tasks and polarized progressive sunglasses for driving and outdoor activities
What to Expect while Adjusting to Progressive Lenses
Most people adapt within 2-3 days, though some take up to 10-14 days. This is completely normal. Here is what the adjustment period typically looks like:
Days 1-2: May feel a bit off-balance; need to move your head more to find the sweet spots
Days 3-5: Head positioning becomes more natural; less awareness of the different zones
Week 2: Wearing them feels comfortable; barely thinking about the zones
Week 3+: Second nature – most patients say they’d never go back!
Pro tip: Wear them full-time from day one for fastest adaptation. Point your nose at what you want to see. Be patient – it gets easier every day!
Bifocals (and Trifocals)
As an alternative to progressive lenses in Indianapolis, these lenses have two distinct viewing zones, one for distance and one for reading:
Clear distance and near vision with a line separating the two
Trifocals add a third “intermediate” distance between near and distance, which adds a second visible line in the lens
May have an abrupt ‘jump’ between different zones
Visible lines in lens may bother you
Not as costly as progressives
Single Vision
If progressive lenses don’t work for you in Indianapolis, single vision lenses focus on one distance or near only either for using a computer, reading or for seeing at a distance, like driving or TV.
Computer Glasses
Set for your computer distance (typically 20-26 inches)
Perfect if you work on a computer 4+ hours per day
Especially helpful with multiple screens
Need to remove for driving, watching TV, etc.
Dr. Moody wears these for computer & office work!
Reading Glasses
Set for reading distance (14-16 inches)
Great for books, phone, and close-up tasks
Need to remove for driving, watching TV, etc.
Distance Glasses
Set to see clearly far away…driving, TV, movies, sporting events, kid’s events
Need to remove for reading and computer work
Can be made into polarized sunglasses for comfort in sunlight
Your Decision Guide for Progressive Lenses and Other Options
Choose Progressive Lenses if you…
Want one pair to see all distances
Work on the computer off and on during the day
Prefer no visible lines
Accept there may be a period of adaptation
Choose Bifocals if you…
Use only distance and reading (not much computer use)
Are OK with the jump between distance and reading
Don’t mind a visible line in your lenses
Are budget-conscious
Choose Single Vision if you…
Look at a screen 4+ hours per day
Use multiple screens at work
Have good distance vision
Don’t mind taking your glasses on and off
Want the most affordable option
What Dr. Moody Recommends
Progressive lenses as your general use glasses
Single Vision computer glasses for work
Prescription sunglasses for driving and outdoor activities
Click Here for more on Prescription Sunglasses
This guide is written by Dr. Penn Moody and provided by Moody Eyes, an optometry practice serving Downtown Indianapolis and surrounding communities. If you’re experiencing any issues with reading, such as headaches, eyestrain, or blurry vision, it’s time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam on our website (use the link below to schedule). We’ll help you choose the perfect solution for your lifestyle.