Progressive lens eyeglasses have been in the market for several decades already. The production techniques are very advanced and progressives are now the preferred way to handle clear vision at far and close distance for those older than 45 years of age.
Years ago, bifocals were the dominant multifocal lenses, with a distinct visual segment in the lower part of the lens – like a “proof of age”. Progressive glasses look just like any spectacles, with all functions advanced incorporated in the same lens.
“Presbyopia” is a latin word that most of us do not know. It is a description of the change that naturally comes to every person in the age of 40-50 years – typically at the age of 45.
The lens of the eye lose some of it flexibility and its ability to autofocus on object close to us. Accordingly we need to place a convex plus lens in front of the eye for us to read clearly.
These lenses can be reading glasses of +1,00 – +2,50 that we take on and off when the need is there to see near objects clearly. Distance view is blurred with reading glasses.
Progressive lenses are correcting our vison for long distance in the upper part of the lens, whether this is 0,00 for those with perfect vision for distance, short- or far-sighted.
I the lower part of the lens though, the power of the reading classes is integrated according to the persons prescription. The prescription is determined in an eye examination test at the optician/optometrist, or the ophthalmologist/eye doctor. After having the eye test performed and paid for, a copy of the prescription is yours to keep.
With a pair of progressive glasses, we can go on seeing whatever we like without having to worry about reading glasses throughout the day.
Since progressive lenses most of the time are quite expensive, it is an interesting alternative to buy these glasses online.
It is critical that the PD is measured when buying eye glasses. This his makes sure the distance between the centers of the lenses are positioned with the correct intermediate distance when the glasses are made.
The optician should measure this distance and include the information on your prescription. If it is not there, you can learn how to easily measure it yourself, with a simple ruler, like here: https://pantoglasses.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PD-measuring-PantoGlassesCom-3.pdf
The pupil heigh can be measured by the dispensing optician. Alternatively, the when you buy glasses online, an average height for the actual model of glasses will be used.