Saturday, 17 May 2014

Your First Progressive Lens: How To Use.

This is part of a series of articles on spectacles. The other articles can be got from the links given below. If you need to know difference between bifocals and progressives kindly read the first link given below.


OTHER ARTICLES ON THE TOPIC



For the first time user getting used to a progressive lens can take some time. This is because each part of the progressive lens has a different power and we need to look through the correct region of the lens to see objects at various distances.



The part of the lens directly in front of our eyes when we gaze forward is for far distance. The bottom part is for objects at 25 centimetres, that is for reading. The first handicap we usually face with progressives lens is when we walk down stairs and the floor looksw blurred. This happens when we look through the bottom of the lens. The bottom part of the lens focuses only upto 25 cm and hence the floor would be blurred. We need to learn consciously to look through the upper part of the lens to see the floor. For this we would need to bend our head a little forwards so that we use the top part of the lens when we walk downstairs.

For the computer user the region of the lens is the middle part. We need to look a little below the centre of the lens to view the monitor clearly.


Because a wide range of powers is built into the lens, it is normal for vision to be blurred when you look through the sides of the lens. This distortion will be much less in digital progressive lenses. This tend to be more expensive but it is money well spent as it greatly enhances vision.



TIPS FOR THE FIRST TIME USER:

  • When you get your new specs place it on your face and make sure if sits well on your face. If it slides down your nose or the temples of your head hurt get the specs adjusted.
  • Start using it for a few hours each day, ideally for reading and computer.
  • Use it for walking only once you get used to the new pair.
  • Be extra careful when you climb stairs.
  • It is ok to feel a little uncomfortable for the initial week or so till our brain adapts.
  • Remember to look through the centre of the lens. Vision through the sides can have a little distortion.