How to tell if your progressive lenses are correct
Want to know if your progressive lenses are doing their job? Here’s a simple test: Pick an object about 20 feet away — say, a clock, a tree, or that squirrel who always seems to be judging you. If you can see it clearly, congrats! Your lenses are in good shape.
Still wondering if your prescription is right?
Here’s another hint: Looking straight ahead should feel like seeing the world in high definition, not like you accidentally set your vision to "low-res." If things are blurry, wavy, or making you feel like you’re in a funhouse mirror maze, it might be time for a new prescription. (And no, squinting aggressively doesn’t count as a fix — it just makes you look like you're trying to solve a very difficult math problem.)
Signs of a correct progressive lens fit
Here's how to tell if your progressive lenses fit correctly. Don't worry, you don't need a degree in rocket science to figure it out.
Contact lenses
If your contacts fit correctly, they should be comfortable. They shouldn't be doing the Cha-Cha Slide around your precious peepers or cause any irritation.
Contacts also come with rotation markers and centering indicators to help you place them correctly. If these markers are in the right place, you're good to go.
Glasses
Before you get a pair of glasses, your eye care professional takes precise measurements. You may feel like a model getting measured for couture, but these measurements have a more practical purpose: to make sure your glasses sit properly on your face.
Here's how to tell if your progressive glasses fit correctly:
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They sit properly on the bridge of your nose. You're not Professor McGonagall (no matter how much you'd like to be), so you shouldn't have to peer over the tops of your frames to see clearly.
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They're aligned with your pupils.
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They sit at a proper distance from your eyes. Think of yourself like Goldilocks. Your lenses shouldn't be too close or too far away; they need to be juuuuust right.
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What are progressive lenses?
Progressive lenses use a single lens to provide seamless vision correction at multiple distances. One section helps you see faraway objects; one section helps you see objects at arm's length, and the third section helps you see things close up. Just think of them as the Swiss Army knife of vision correction.
Progressive lenses also offer an advantage over bifocals: no visible lines and a smooth transition between the different lens powers.
How do you know if your eye prescription is progressive?
Now that you know how to tell if progressive lenses are correct, you need to know how to tell if your prescription is progressive in the first place. Here's an easy way to tell.
Your lens prescription might have an "ADD" value on it. ADD stands for addition power, and it means that you need extra magnification for near vision. You might also see one or more of these notations:
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PAL (Progressive Addition Lenses)
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PR (Progressive)
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VFL (Variable Focus Lenses)
If you've ever had bifocals, you'll also notice a big difference between your bifocal prescription and your progressive lenses prescription. Bifocals have a segment height to indicate where the lens shifts from one power to another. Progressive lenses don't have a segment height because they transition gradually.
How do progressive lenses work?
If you have progressive lenses, the magnification gradually changes, allowing you to see clearly up close, at arm's length, and at a distance. Thanks to advances in technology, the user experience is better than ever. You can customize your progressive lenses, get lenses with a wider field of vision, or take advantage of other digital design options. The sky's the limit!
Understanding presbyopia and vision changes
Progressive lenses were designed specifically for people with presbyopia, which makes it difficult to see things clearly up close. Presbyopia is a normal part of aging, so you may notice the signs in your early 40s (but we know you're still young at heart!). You can get eyeglasses or contacts for presbyopia, giving you plenty of flexibility.
Presbyopia occurs with aging because the lens of the eye becomes less flexible over time, much like an old rubber band. This makes it difficult to focus light, so you may struggle to read the fine print in contracts or see the ingredients on a package insert.
Contact lens options
If you prefer contacts, look for multifocal lenses. These lenses have multiple prescription strengths, creating three zones of magnification. Today's contacts also come in a variety of materials to maximize your comfort.
It takes a little longer to adapt to progressive contacts than it does to progressive glasses. You need to get used to multiple powers of magnification and adjust to having new contacts.
Are progressive lenses bad for your eyes?
Progressive lenses aren't bad for your eyes, but you can develop eye strain after wearing them for a long time. One study also showed that wearing progressive lenses for certain tasks caused refractive shifts in some people. Refraction is just a fancy word used to describe the way light bends as it focuses on your retinas.
Fortunately, modern lens technology addresses these concerns, allowing you to rock your progressive lenses with confidence. When you get your new lenses, you need to "train" yourself to see at different distances. As you adapt, your eye movement patterns will change, allowing you to see clearly. Think of this training as an Olympic workout for your eyes.
Are progressive lenses hard to get used to?
Short answer: A little, but so is using chopsticks for the first time.
It usually takes 1 to 2 weeks to fully adjust to progressive lenses. During that time, your vision might feel a bit ... indecisive ... as your eyes learn to navigate multiple magnification levels.
Here are a few tips to help you adapt to your progressive lenses quickly:
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Keep your lenses clean. Smudges make it difficult to determine if you can see clearly at multiple distances.
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Wear your lenses for just a few hours at a time. This makes the transition less abrupt.
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Don't use your old lenses. If you're always switching back and forth, your eyes won't fully adjust to the new ones.
Is it normal for progressive lenses to be blurry at first?
It's normal for progressive lenses to be blurry at first, just like any other lenses. Your brain needs time to adjust to the change in your vision. If the blurriness really is caused by your new lenses, it will go away quickly.
Blurry vision is more concerning when it persists. If it lasts more than 2 weeks, see an eye care professional. You may need a new prescription.
Why do progressive lenses have distortion?
Progressive lenses have distortion because they're designed to help you see at multiple distances. The three zones converge at the sides of each lens, which may blur your peripheral vision.
With glasses, distortion may occur if the lenses aren't aligned with your pupils or sitting the correct distance from your eyes. If you have contacts, you may experience distortion if the contacts aren't seated correctly. Just like real estate is all about location, reducing distortion is about ensuring the proper fit.
Due to modern technology, several manufacturers produce comfortable lenses with minimal distortion. However, AIR OPTIX® plus HydraGlyde® is one of our top picks. These multifocal lenses have HydraGlyde technology to keep your eyes moist throughout the day. Extra moisture increases comfort, leaving you ready to tackle anything life throws at you.
Progressive lens problems and troubleshooting
It takes time to get used to progressive lenses, so it's normal to experience some blurriness or peripheral distortion (blurriness when you look to the side) at first. These symptoms should go away within 2 weeks.
If your eyes hurt, or if you have difficulty driving at night, schedule an appointment with an eye care professional. You may have an underlying eye condition.
Can incorrect lens fit cause headaches?
You know how you sometimes get a headache due to tension in your neck or shoulder muscles? Well, your eyes have small muscles that help control their movement. If your lenses don't fit correctly, those tiny superheroes have to work extra hard to focus on objects. All the extra work tires them out, making headaches more likely.
If you wear contacts, make sure that the rotational markers and centering indicators are in the right place. With glasses, it's important to make sure your frames sit securely on the bridge of your nose.
Making minor adjustments may help you resolve lens-related headaches on your own. Otherwise, schedule an appointment with your eye care professional.
Progressive lenses are blurry when looking at a computer
If your vision is blurry when you look at a computer, make sure the computer is set up properly. The top of the monitor should be at eye level. You should also sit about arm's length away from the screen. No need to hug your monitor.
Remember to adjust the position of your head as needed. You shouldn't have to twist yourself up like a pretzel to see the screen clearly.
Progressive lenses driving problems
Some people have trouble driving at night due to the glare from headlights and traffic signals. You may be able to add a special coating to your progressive lenses to reduce glare, making it easier to tool around in the dark.
While you're driving, you also need to adjust the position of your head to ensure you're looking through the distance zone of your lenses.
Reading with progressive lenses
The bottom segment of each lens is dedicated to reading and other close-up tasks. To read comfortably, you may have to adjust the position of your book or e-reader until you can see the text clearly. You'll also need to move your head so that you can see through the bottom lens segment.
Blurry distance vision with progressive lenses
You may notice a little blurriness when you transition from one zone to another. To address this issue, make sure your lenses are aligned correctly. It's also important to change the position of your head when you switch tasks.
Eyes hurt when wearing progressive lenses
If your eyes hurt while wearing your lenses, the first thing to do is check for proper fit. You may have to adjust the frames of your glasses or move your contacts so that they fit firmly in your eyes.
Sometimes discomfort occurs due to eye strain, not the use of progressive lenses, so be sure to take frequent breaks when performing visually intensive tasks. There's no need to aim for the world record in staring at a computer screen!
What frames work best for progressive lenses?
If you want glasses, look for square or round frames with a lens height of at least 35 millimeters. Square and round shapes reduce visual distortion by giving you a wider view. Look for frames made from flexible materials, such as titanium, for just the right blend of comfort and durability.
What frames should you avoid with progressive lenses?
Frames with a lens height of less than 35 millimeters aren't suitable for progressive lenses, as they don't give you as much room for three zones of magnification. Avoid cat-eye lenses and aviator lenses. No matter how cool they look, they're smaller than other types of frames, reducing your field of vision.
How to know if you need progressive lenses
Now you know how to tell if your progressive lenses are correct, what to do if you have trouble adjusting, and what materials work best. In many cases, you just need a few days to adjust to having multiple powers of magnification.
If you find yourself squinting more as you get older, schedule an appointment with your eye care professional. Once you have a lens prescription, head to 1-800 Contacts to find progressive lenses from your preferred brand.
Did you know you can order contacts online?
Say goodbye to trips to the eye doctor and hello to convenience! With 1-800 Contacts, you can easily order your contact lenses online and have them delivered straight to your door. Plus, our online vision exam makes it simple to get the prescription you need without leaving home. And the best part? You’ll save money on your first order with 1-800 Contacts. It’s never been easier to get your contacts!
Original published date: 10/26/2023
Updated: 3/5/2025