How To Use Progressives
A Complete Guide To Progressive Lenses

Many people think of progressives as the ultimate in convenience – everything in one set of lenses. And that can be true. At the same time, some people delay trying them, worried they’ll be difficult to get used to. However, it can be much simpler and easier than you think.

You had good reasons to switch to progressives, such as…

• You couldn’t focus as well with your single vision readers when viewing your computer screen at work or at home
• It was driving you crazy taking off your reading glasses every time you needed to see far away
• Your profession or career required you to switch focus between distance and near vision all day long
• Your neck was getting achy craning towards your computer with your single vision reading glasses or bifocals

All of these are valid reasons to switch to progressive lenses and make your life easier. In the beginning there may be a small adjustment period, but it will be well worth it. Plus, with the orientation pamphlet included in your purchase, the transition to progressives will be even smoother.

At ReadingGlasses.com, our mission is to help you have the best experience possible, so we’d like to help you ease into your transition of wearing progressives. Eventually, it will be like second nature to you.

How progressive lenses work

• THE UPPER portions of your lenses are clear. As you lower your eyes, the magnification increases gradually, allowing you to see better at different close-up distances
• ADAPTING to any new lens design requires a short adjustment period. The quickest and surest way to adapt is to stick with one design. Remove them temporarily if you feel you need a break. As you adjust, your eyes will begin to find the area of sharpest reading vision automatically
• AT FIRST, when you walk or move your head rapidly, objects to the side may appear to move slightly. This sensation will disappear quickly with continued use
• You’ll soon have the most natural vision possible, without a line in sight

By following these general guidelines, and by knowing what to expect, you can quickly gain mastery of your new progressive lenses.

How to Read with Progressive Lenses

1. Point your nose in the direction you wish to read, and hold up a book or newspaper to test your new lenses
2. Extend the page to arm’s length and move your head gently up and down. Notice the smooth transition from one magnification to another
3. Move the page off to the side without turning your head. The print will become less sharp. Just point your nose in that direction, adjust your chin, and the print will glide into focus

With just a little effort, if you repeat steps 1–3, you’ll get used to automatically pointing your eyes to where they should be. Allow yourself up to two weeks to become fully adapted to, and comfortable with, your new progressives.

All you need is…practice, practice, practice. Once you get it, using progressives will be second nature, and you’ll wonder how you ever did without them in the first place. Most people never go back to anything else.

Besides the convenience, you’ll likely feel like you have recaptured your natural vision at near distances and while reading just about anything. And, you’ll be less likely to lose your glasses, since you won’t need to take them on and off as much.

And once you get used to wearing progressive readers, you’ll also want to give progressive reading sunglasses a try. This gives you the convenience of seeing everything under bright sunlight, from your map, to screens, or even the time on your watch. Read menus outside, check your golf score, and more…again, you’ll wonder how you ever did without them.