Helpful tips to adjust to bifocal and progressive glasses
Switching to bifocals or progressive glasses from regular prescription can be tricky. For many first-timers, this can cause some dizziness or even nausea during the first few days. Most of these symptoms are perfectly normal and will dissipate in a week or two. If you want to get used to your new bifocal or progressive glasses more easily and within a shorter period, this article gives you a few simple things that you can do.
Bifocals versus Progressive Glasses
Before we talk about getting adjusted to your new eyeglasses, let us first clarify the differences between bifocals and progressive glasses. Both of these prescription glasses are designed to help individuals see clearly both for distance and close up vision. The top part of the lens aids in long distance vision while the lower portion is meant to make reading and other close-up work.
So how are they different? The main feature that distinguishes one from the other is the horizontal line that divides the two different grades of lens. This line is present in regular bifocals but there is no such line in progressive glasses. Thus, the difference in what you see when you look through the two different areas of the lens is quite abrupt, especially when your prescription is high.
Progressive glasses, on the other hand, give a gradual transition from long distance to reading distance. In fact, there will be varying degrees of clarity as you look through the different spots in the lens. Also, the lack of a distinct line across the lens makes the eyeglasses sleeker in appearance, which is the reason why a lot of people opt for this variety.
Are Bifocals Easier to Adjust to Than Progressives?
Whether you have regular bifocals or progressive glasses, it can take a while before you can fully adjust to wearing them. The period of adjustment can take a couple of days to about a week, after which looking through your bifocals or progressives will come very naturally.
As for which one is easier to get used to, it really depends on the individual. A lot of first-time eyeglass wearers actually have no trouble getting used to progressive glasses. The shift between the varying lens strengths is very gradual so your vision very naturally gets corrected based on which part of the lens you are looking through. With bifocals, some first-timers find the abrupt change in vision as they cross the dividing line to be too abrupt, which then causes dizziness and nausea.
Tips to Effectively Adjust to Bifocal Glasses
If you have just gotten a new pair of bifocal glasses, you can expect to experience a few unpleasant side effects during the first few days as your eyes get used to them. Some of the common side effects that you might go through are blurry vision, headaches, nausea, and balance problems. Sometimes objects might appear to move around as well. These are perfectly normal and will go away in time.
Some people have it easier and can fully adjust in a couple of days, while others may take two weeks or even longer. Here are some things you can do to make the adjustment easier.
1. Wear your new glasses immediately upon waking up and keep them on for an hour. The next day, wear them for two hours or longer. Keep increasing the time you are wearing them until you are using them comfortably all day.
2. Train your eyes to look straight while walking instead of looking down at your feet because this will surely make you dizzy.
3. When working at a computer, adjust the height of the monitor so that it is below eye level, which will give you the proper angle as you look through your bifocals.
Tips to Effectively Adjust to Progressive Glasses
Adjusting to progressive glasses is pretty much the same as for bifocals. In fact, many find this to be easier. To make your adjustment easier, make sure your eyeglasses sit properly on the bridge of your nose at all times. Take care to get a perfectly fitting frame so that it doesn't slide down your nose.
Because of the difficulties in adjusting, some people tend to keep using their old eyeglasses alternately with the new prescription. This will just confuse your eyes and make the adjustment even harder. However, if you are certain that you have the correct prescription, rest assured that you will eventually get the hang of it. Stick it out with your new glasses and with some patience, you will be using them without any trouble at all.
Best Frames for Bifocals
1. Behati Cat Eye Frames
Bifocals need not be boring. Dress up any outfit with this fabulous pair of Behati cat eye glasses. With a dainty pink frame and studded with dazzling diamonds, you will not only have a clearer vision but also make heads turn with this eyewear.
2. Elli Square Frames
Get a wider range of vision with the large lenses of the Elli square glasses. The delightful combination of gold, pink and blue also adds charm to your look, while the metal frame gives an aura of sophistication.
3. Harrison Aviator Frames
The Harrison aviator glasses in light gray are a classic choice, perfect for the fashion-forward gentleman. It is lightweight, made of metal and TR90 material, so it is comfortable to wear the whole day.
Best Frames for Progressive Glasses
1. Echo Square Frames
With a lens height of 45mm, the Echo square glasses are perfect for the many gradations of progressive glasses. The TR90 frame is also very lightweight so you can comfortably wear it all day. The tortoiseshell and brown pattern add a classy touch to your look.
2. Margaret Oval Frames
The simple but eye-catching design of the Margaret oval glasses makes it a highly versatile piece of eyewear. You can wear it to work and in more casual settings. We like the fresh combination of yellow and grey, which looks fantastic on both men and women.
3. Grady Rectangle Frames
If you are looking for a sensible pair of progressive glasses that will stand the test of time, the Grady rectangle glasses are the perfect choice. The clear/wine frame highlights the eyes very nicely and the large lens also gives a generous range to give you clear vision across all distances.
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