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.
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 😁
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.
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!
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!
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'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...
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.
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 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.
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.
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 😫
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.
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.
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 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 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'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 👍
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!
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 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!
@@jsm1062 - For YOU perhaps. I got a pair of high top quality varifocals, & my vision is now fantastic in both eyes... I can read the tiniest of print that i haven't been able to read for decades. amd my medium and far distance vision is now absolutely crystal clear in both eyes... Amazing. Perhaps your optician screwed up your tests.
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.
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.
Thanks for doing this. I feel like I understand what's going on a bit better. I've had progressives for 2 weeks and I hate them. I hate them! Regular headaches to full blown migraines and I just don't feel great the entire time but I'm trying to fight through it. I can function but it really sucks when I work on stuff in my shop. I feel like I'm almost forced to be crosses eyed a little bit. The add for reading is 1.50. But I literally feel as though I have the space of about a pencil eraser that's the correct prescription for distance. Maybe those two pencil eraser portions aren't lined up 100% for both eyes? I just hate these lenses. They aren't cheap either. The frames and lenses were about $1000 and they are Zeiss lenses so they're not junk. Man if I had know how bad these are I would have gotten bifocals with the line. Who cares? Not me.
A $1000 pair of glasses with Zeiss lenses and a low add shouldn't be all that bad. Sounds like bad measurements or a bad lens or both. Why not take them back?????
@@LaramyKOptical Ya I'm definitely going to after doing a bit of research last night. I was told at the shop and everything I've read says it can take a couple of weeks to adjust so I've been trying to tough it out. I'm not usually a complainer but I definitely feel eye strain or maybe they're forcing me to be cross eyed or something? I'll be taking them back in a couple of days. If I take them off I feel all screwed up for a while. Somethings just not right.
@@TravelBackroads A couple of weeks to adjust to head movement and the different distances for different things. Not a couple of weeks of headaches etc... Not like I'd admit it on social media or anything, but, I think the reason I don't get along with them is a very mild phoria. My one eye is a little lazy sometimes. So as I mentioned in the video, they aren't for everyone! John
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.
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
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'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.
I hate my current progressive lenses! My eyes cannot seem to focus most of the time. I have my yearly exam on the 24th and think I'm just getting bifocals and then separate computer glasses. Three levels of focus within one small area is just too much. It's too easy to have your eyes accidentally land in the wrong zone.
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.
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!
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).
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.
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.
My issue with progressives is that even if they are made correctly, no one (OK, four different folks) knows how to fit them properly to get the lenses properly placed - I end up doing it myself.
Since a lens is fixed within the eyewire of the frame the progressive (and all its areas) moves with the frame when any adjustments are made after the lens has been mounted. In other words if the frame isn't fit properly BEFORE the measurements are taken and the lens is cut and mounted you are simply compounding problems. A little tweaking is expected - correct panto, a little face form and vertex on a metal frame. Beyond that once they are made you are out of luck... I have a new tablet based measuring system here I'll be playing with soon. John
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?
I really appreciate your videos but I don’t agree. We are used to adapt our customers with progressive in France and they can have a perfect distance and near vision ! The most important points to check are 1) the prescription 2) the type of progressive (personalized and optimized progressive are the best) 3) the pupillary distance and the fitting height. Guys I wish you could come to Paris so I can adapt you and take up the challenge !!
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!
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.
Progressives have VERY limited horizontal range of vision, so if you have multiple monitors side by side, you will need a lot of horizontal head movement to find and get into focus. Trifocals are MUCH better for this. One BIG trade-off with trifocals is that fixed templates may make it hard to get all the prescription ranges the way you need them for each of the 3 areas. Progressives are more forgiving in this area. For me progressives just did not work because for computer use I needed the middle part of the lens the most a but it is the narrowest so required a lot of head movement. 12-16 hours in front of screens and it gets tiring fast; even after only 2-3 hours (after weeks of trying to get used to them). YMMV.
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.
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.
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
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!
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
One out of the most useful videos. Would it be fair to conclude that the old-style, conventional bi-focals might actually be better ? I hear that there were even conventional tri-focals, though I've not come across those personally.
It only took me until 10 minutes in to make the Good, Bad, and Ugly connection from your opening skit. Boy, am I dense! Doesn't bode well for learning how to use these progressives.
Yeap, I remember those pain in the neck, Varilux Plus, Varilux 2 and Varilux Infinity. By default I like the Sola XL and the Sola VIP better than those during those days, and most of the Xcel Products Image and the famous Gradal progressive from Zeiss. Varilux Comfort wasn't that much better.
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
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.
Why just a narrow strip down the middle for intermediary sight? It makes no sense! I get free lenses, but have to have a uselessly tiny strip down the middle to look through; I had to take them off to be able to see anything! I was told, to have a wider strip down the middle, I'd have to pay extra money, and that is the only purpose for the blurry bits to even be on the lenses, it is a con trick to get people to pay more. With today's technology, one lens cost no more to make than another, once the computer programming has been done, the lenses can be turned out by the millions with virtually no extra work. Your video, makes it quite clear, how the lens works, but it also makes it quite clear the blurry bit doesn't need to be there. Three bands of vision are all that is needed.
Gonna slightly derail the topic here, but putting this out there for anyone else that might be in a similar unique situation. If you have PTSD, you really, really need to be aware of how much you use peripheral vision before someone tells you 'you need bifocals'. I have PTSD and NEVER fully realized that I am always, *always* scanning my entire surroundings for danger. When did I realize this? When I got my first pair of bifocals (progressive lenses). I had a full-on panic attack and meltdown because I felt unsafe and so very afraid when I wasn't able to see *anything* outside of that narrow middle corridor. I went back the next day, and they sent them back to the lab to make sure they were made right, but never told me that peripheral vision would be distorted, always. I'm just learning this now as I was looking for advice on how to get used to them. Unfortunately, this is a full-on dealbreaker for me. I am absolutely not going to be able to function with vision only in a narrow corridor, straight ahead. If any kind person on this channel sees this, can you tell me if the peripheral vision distortions are present at all on lined bifocals? I absolutely do not care if I look like an old lady, I just cannot function without full peripheral vision. I can't even wear polycarbonate because the minimal chromatic aberration makes me violently nauseated. Is there any distortion for lined bifocals?
Broken Tryst, Whoa OK yes a little derailment there but I can answer your question. Every lens, e-v-e-r-y lens will begin to develop distortion as you leave the center of it. How much will depend on how strong the lens is. I wear a lined bifocal for a reason. It has the clearest and widest (most forgiving) full width vision with the ability to still see something up close. I think like you it is a learned perception. I was a professional driver for 10+ years and your peripheral vision is everything. I couldn't stand the loss of it. Anyway - a good optician should be able to work with you and find a GREAT solution for you. Nice frame, ST 28 lined bifocal, set right where YOU like it, good AR coating --- no one will ever notice. Much cheaper and you will be much happier. John
@@LaramyKOptical Thank you SO MUCH for a reply, I appreciate it. Does the lined bifocal have the equivalent clarity of a non-bifocal lens in the periphery? If the lined bifocal is equivalent to single vision, that should work out. If the lined bifocal has, even minimally, more peripheral distortion than single vision, I would much rather get 2 pairs of glasses and switch between them. I don't think have a particularly strong prescription, and there's minimal variation between the eyes, sph +50, cyl +2.00 axis 170 and sph -50 cyl +1.50 axis 175 (I don't have the prescription with me, but I'm fairly certain that's what it was). Honestly, any distortion greater than what you get from single vision with CR-39 is going to cause me unnecessary panic and distress, it sounds stupid, I know, but it is unfortunately very real :/
@@dawnvictoria11 Well the 2, 3, 4 pair option is always a great choice. But I wouldn't rule out trying a lined bi-focal. Heck you could probably find one online for $15 and try them out before going fancy.
Thank you for posting this. I was also bothered by the chromatic aberration in the only pair of polycarbonate lenses I ever got (I go CR39 all the time, now). I may look into lined bifocals rather than progressives.
@@rprastein I just replaced my progressives with bifocals this year and they are fantastic. I did get used to the progressive lenses for inside the home use, familiar environment, lots of shifts from close to mid-distance vision. If I had the money I'd get a pair of progressives for indoors, bifocals for outdoors, and single vision for general use. But, on a budget, a pair of frames with a big lens area and true bifocals is working great for me.
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.
Does the ugly apply to the same extent for free form lenses? If "land of optical garbage" and "opti swamp" is not less pronounced with a digital free form lens - what is the point of said technology? What am I missing? Thank you. You are very easy to listen to.
@@LaramyKOptical Thanks for your reply, John. I ended up here because I ordered my first pair of progressives. Had I found this channel earlier - I would have ordered bi-focals instead. I'm +7.50 and +8.25... With +2.00 ADD.
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 ?
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
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.
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 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.
I really really wish the eye doc would have told me that the sides were going to be blurry. These are my first progressives and I will be going back to replace them with either two one-distance glasses or bifocals. I don't care if I look old in bifocals, I don't want to lose all my peripheral vision...how in the world do people drive with these??
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.
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.
I’m 51 Got progressives. Bottoms at 2.25. Tried them for 1 week. Life is too short. Getting bifocals. Great video!!
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.
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
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.
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!
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!
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'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!
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.
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...
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.
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
As someone about to try my first pair of progressives this is very helpful. Thanks.
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.
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.
You speak very well with nice, clear diction. Recorded well, too.
THIS GUY KNOWS! thank you so much,Progressive Lens suuuck!
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.
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.
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.
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 has really helped me. Thanks for such a detailed video
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 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'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 👍
Great piece of information. You saved me from getting fooled by progressive lens ads
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!
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!
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 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!!!
Wish Id seen this 4 days ago, before I was sold $425 progressive lenses 🤬
Rut-Ro...
$425 isnt bad. Buy varilux lenses without insurance. Twice as much
Spring Bloom how have you adjusted to your progressives? Are they meeting your needs now?
Similar case with myself. Progressive lenses are nothing but waste of money.
@@jsm1062 - For YOU perhaps. I got a pair of high top quality varifocals, & my vision is now fantastic in both eyes... I can read the tiniest of print that i haven't been able to read for decades. amd my medium and far distance vision is now absolutely crystal clear in both eyes... Amazing. Perhaps your optician screwed up your tests.
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.
Excellent and informative video
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!
Progressive lens. Can't see with it, also can't see without it! 😂
I like that!
Good day, many thanks for all these useful videos. I like your presentation, you always make it attractive.. ✨👏👌
Wonderful presentation
Thanks for doing this. I feel like I understand what's going on a bit better. I've had progressives for 2 weeks and I hate them. I hate them! Regular headaches to full blown migraines and I just don't feel great the entire time but I'm trying to fight through it. I can function but it really sucks when I work on stuff in my shop. I feel like I'm almost forced to be crosses eyed a little bit. The add for reading is 1.50. But I literally feel as though I have the space of about a pencil eraser that's the correct prescription for distance. Maybe those two pencil eraser portions aren't lined up 100% for both eyes? I just hate these lenses. They aren't cheap either. The frames and lenses were about $1000 and they are Zeiss lenses so they're not junk. Man if I had know how bad these are I would have gotten bifocals with the line. Who cares? Not me.
A $1000 pair of glasses with Zeiss lenses and a low add shouldn't be all that bad. Sounds like bad measurements or a bad lens or both. Why not take them back?????
@@LaramyKOptical Ya I'm definitely going to after doing a bit of research last night. I was told at the shop and everything I've read says it can take a couple of weeks to adjust so I've been trying to tough it out. I'm not usually a complainer but I definitely feel eye strain or maybe they're forcing me to be cross eyed or something? I'll be taking them back in a couple of days. If I take them off I feel all screwed up for a while. Somethings just not right.
@@TravelBackroads A couple of weeks to adjust to head movement and the different distances for different things. Not a couple of weeks of headaches etc... Not like I'd admit it on social media or anything, but, I think the reason I don't get along with them is a very mild phoria. My one eye is a little lazy sometimes. So as I mentioned in the video, they aren't for everyone! John
@@LaramyKOptical Yes I will be taking them back now. Thank you for your help.
@@TravelBackroads Don't overlook a good old fashioned lined bifocal. They work and are super inexpensive too.
Your videos are super helpful and I enjoy watching them.
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 this was beautifully explained.
You are so welcome!
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
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
Great! Now I will approach the Opticians in an informed manner! Thanks
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'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.
I wish more of my coworkers would watch your channel! Thanks for clarifying about PALs
I hate my current progressive lenses! My eyes cannot seem to focus most of the time. I have my yearly exam on the 24th and think I'm just getting bifocals and then separate computer glasses. Three levels of focus within one small area is just too much. It's too easy to have your eyes accidentally land in the wrong zone.
Bet you will be much happier! That is what I do! John
Loved the beginning of the video!! 😂
Thank you so much for your nice videos. 😊
Good advice another margarita👍🏼
Thanks
Great info, and great delivery of content.
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.
Thank you for the thorough explanation!!
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!
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).
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.
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.
My issue with progressives is that even if they are made correctly, no one (OK, four different folks) knows how to fit them properly to get the lenses properly placed - I end up doing it myself.
Since a lens is fixed within the eyewire of the frame the progressive (and all its areas) moves with the frame when any adjustments are made after the lens has been mounted. In other words if the frame isn't fit properly BEFORE the measurements are taken and the lens is cut and mounted you are simply compounding problems. A little tweaking is expected - correct panto, a little face form and vertex on a metal frame. Beyond that once they are made you are out of luck... I have a new tablet based measuring system here I'll be playing with soon. John
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. th-cam.com/video/MybVEAhui5U/w-d-xo.html
I really appreciate your videos but I don’t agree. We are used to adapt our customers with progressive in France and they can have a perfect distance and near vision !
The most important points to check are 1) the prescription 2) the type of progressive (personalized and optimized progressive are the best) 3) the pupillary distance and the fitting height.
Guys I wish you could come to Paris so I can adapt you and take up the challenge !!
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!
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.
Thank you sir.It was very informative and helped me to make an informative decision.
Progressives have VERY limited horizontal range of vision, so if you have multiple monitors side by side, you will need a lot of horizontal head movement to find and get into focus. Trifocals are MUCH better for this.
One BIG trade-off with trifocals is that fixed templates may make it hard to get all the prescription ranges the way you need them for each of the 3 areas. Progressives are more forgiving in this area.
For me progressives just did not work because for computer use I needed the middle part of the lens the most a but it is the narrowest so required a lot of head movement. 12-16 hours in front of screens and it gets tiring fast; even after only 2-3 hours (after weeks of trying to get used to them).
YMMV.
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.
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.
This helped so much
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.
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!
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
One out of the most useful videos. Would it be fair to conclude that the old-style, conventional bi-focals might actually be better ? I hear that there were even conventional tri-focals, though I've not come across those personally.
Yes nothing wrong with a good old fashioned bifocal. It is what we had for hundreds of years and we all survived.
It only took me until 10 minutes in to make the Good, Bad, and Ugly connection from your opening skit. Boy, am I dense! Doesn't bode well for learning how to use these progressives.
It has been a few years since that movie came out... ;-) We thought that it had enough cult status to work. Maybe not? John
@@LaramyKOptical Oh no it definitely worked. I was just too slow to make the connection. Thanks for the humorous and informative video.
Well explained
Yeap, I remember those pain in the neck, Varilux Plus, Varilux 2 and Varilux Infinity. By default I like the Sola XL and the Sola VIP better than those during those days, and most of the Xcel Products Image and the famous Gradal progressive from Zeiss. Varilux Comfort wasn't that much better.
Great informative video! Thank you!
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
Excellent presentation 👍
Which progressive lens brand is your favorite except Laramy-k?
If not Laramy-K then Zeiss or Hoya.
@@LaramyKOptical what about your personal comment's about Shamir lenses?
@@nandhunagendran1676 I don't recall saying anything about Shamir. I rarely if ever mention a brand name. Shamir is just another division of Essilor.
@@LaramyKOptical keep doing videos.
♥️ from INDIA 👍
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.
Why just a narrow strip down the middle for intermediary sight? It makes no sense! I get free lenses, but have to have a uselessly tiny strip down the middle to look through; I had to take them off to be able to see anything! I was told, to have a wider strip down the middle, I'd have to pay extra money, and that is the only purpose for the blurry bits to even be on the lenses, it is a con trick to get people to pay more. With today's technology, one lens cost no more to make than another, once the computer programming has been done, the lenses can be turned out by the millions with virtually no extra work. Your video, makes it quite clear, how the lens works, but it also makes it quite clear the blurry bit doesn't need to be there. Three bands of vision are all that is needed.
Um, no, just no. See: th-cam.com/video/1bGwFJW7_SU/w-d-xo.html
Great presentation. Thank you !
Gonna slightly derail the topic here, but putting this out there for anyone else that might be in a similar unique situation.
If you have PTSD, you really, really need to be aware of how much you use peripheral vision before someone tells you 'you need bifocals'.
I have PTSD and NEVER fully realized that I am always, *always* scanning my entire surroundings for danger. When did I realize this? When I got my first pair of bifocals (progressive lenses). I had a full-on panic attack and meltdown because I felt unsafe and so very afraid when I wasn't able to see *anything* outside of that narrow middle corridor. I went back the next day, and they sent them back to the lab to make sure they were made right, but never told me that peripheral vision would be distorted, always. I'm just learning this now as I was looking for advice on how to get used to them. Unfortunately, this is a full-on dealbreaker for me. I am absolutely not going to be able to function with vision only in a narrow corridor, straight ahead.
If any kind person on this channel sees this, can you tell me if the peripheral vision distortions are present at all on lined bifocals? I absolutely do not care if I look like an old lady, I just cannot function without full peripheral vision. I can't even wear polycarbonate because the minimal chromatic aberration makes me violently nauseated. Is there any distortion for lined bifocals?
Broken Tryst, Whoa OK yes a little derailment there but I can answer your question. Every lens, e-v-e-r-y lens will begin to develop distortion as you leave the center of it. How much will depend on how strong the lens is. I wear a lined bifocal for a reason. It has the clearest and widest (most forgiving) full width vision with the ability to still see something up close. I think like you it is a learned perception. I was a professional driver for 10+ years and your peripheral vision is everything. I couldn't stand the loss of it. Anyway - a good optician should be able to work with you and find a GREAT solution for you. Nice frame, ST 28 lined bifocal, set right where YOU like it, good AR coating --- no one will ever notice. Much cheaper and you will be much happier. John
@@LaramyKOptical Thank you SO MUCH for a reply, I appreciate it. Does the lined bifocal have the equivalent clarity of a non-bifocal lens in the periphery? If the lined bifocal is equivalent to single vision, that should work out. If the lined bifocal has, even minimally, more peripheral distortion than single vision, I would much rather get 2 pairs of glasses and switch between them. I don't think have a particularly strong prescription, and there's minimal variation between the eyes, sph +50, cyl +2.00 axis 170 and sph -50 cyl +1.50 axis 175 (I don't have the prescription with me, but I'm fairly certain that's what it was). Honestly, any distortion greater than what you get from single vision with CR-39 is going to cause me unnecessary panic and distress, it sounds stupid, I know, but it is unfortunately very real :/
@@dawnvictoria11 Well the 2, 3, 4 pair option is always a great choice. But I wouldn't rule out trying a lined bi-focal. Heck you could probably find one online for $15 and try them out before going fancy.
Thank you for posting this. I was also bothered by the chromatic aberration in the only pair of polycarbonate lenses I ever got (I go CR39 all the time, now). I may look into lined bifocals rather than progressives.
@@rprastein I just replaced my progressives with bifocals this year and they are fantastic. I did get used to the progressive lenses for inside the home use, familiar environment, lots of shifts from close to mid-distance vision. If I had the money I'd get a pair of progressives for indoors, bifocals for outdoors, and single vision for general use. But, on a budget, a pair of frames with a big lens area and true bifocals is working great for me.
So, what is the solution?
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.
hello Laramy, Progressive Lenses, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly...I liked, good...👍...
Does the ugly apply to the same extent for free form lenses? If "land of optical garbage" and "opti swamp" is not less pronounced with a digital free form lens - what is the point of said technology? What am I missing?
Thank you. You are very easy to listen to.
Yes just reduced in a free-form design over a conventional one. John
@@LaramyKOptical Thanks for your reply, John. I ended up here because I ordered my first pair of progressives. Had I found this channel earlier - I would have ordered bi-focals instead. I'm +7.50 and +8.25... With +2.00 ADD.
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
What frames can I have with progressive lenses?
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.
Took my partner weeks to adjust,now he loves them
Love mine they're really good took me a day
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
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.
Wish I'd have known this before I wasted my money...but now I know at least.
I am aged 54 . Should I for separate lense for reading & computer work ? And separate for out side use ?
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 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 really really wish the eye doc would have told me that the sides were going to be blurry. These are my first progressives and I will be going back to replace them with either two one-distance glasses or bifocals. I don't care if I look old in bifocals, I don't want to lose all my peripheral vision...how in the world do people drive with these??
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.