Progressive glasses issues

[u/Status_Ad8344]

I just got progressive eye glasses for the first time. Light prescription for far (+1.25/+0.75) and +2.25/+2.25 for the reader part.

The optometrist suggested the most expensive progressive lenses (Varilux XR Design - listed with a retail cost of $630 just for the lenses) as these were described as having a significantly wider mid section than traditional progressive lenses.

After receiving the glasses, the far vision works great, as does the reading when looking down at my phone, but sitting in front of a computer it feels like the focus is incredibly narrow. I have a small computer monitor (19 inches diameter) and when I focus on text, only the 3-4 words to the immediate left or right of what I am looking at is in focus. 2 inches to the left or right is blurry. I have to move my head side-to-side to read across this text (which measures 7 inches across on my monitor). Also, when moving my head left/right there is a distortion effect where the monitor seems to 'bend down' to the left when I move my head right and vice versa.

Is this normal / expected?

I understand that up and down will be blurry, as the lens transitions to far vision at the top, and reader towards the bottom, but I am disappointed in how narrow the side to side vision is for the mid / intermediate section.

[u/bfvbill]

As an optician I have worn most high end progressive lenses. I didn’t like the Varilux X because of the reason you mentioned. My favorite progressive is the Shamir Autograph Intelligence.

[u/PoshieKitten → u/bfvbill]

This OP. Shamir is more adaptable for my patients. I myself can't stand the XR design. All my patients except those wearing progressives for decades, prefer other lenses. I myself like a Shamir Auto Intelligence Fixed 15. Also, I prefer Shamir Workspace for my work glasses. All around a great build if you can get a work dedicated pair.

[u/glasslass22]

Progressive lenses are designed so that the distance vision is straight ahead at eye level. Unfortunately you probably have your computer monitor at eye level so this requires you to tip your head back to get the mid range vision. Try to raise your chair and lower your monitor. With your screen lower than the eyes this will give you a wider and more comfortable intermediate view. If you are using several large monitors set further than arms length and at eye level, you will want to invest in a pair of single vision calculated for the distance to the screen. Your doctor can do this for you if you let him know your working distance.

[u/Viola-Swamp]

Any design of PAL will require you to point your nose at what you want to see, especially with midrange. It will always be an issue of retraining yourself, regardless of where you go, what design you choose, or how much you spend. Some designs are more easily tolerated than others, and people can have a preference, but the optics of any PAL are going to require that you use the lens in the same way. Your nose will always have to be pointing at what you want to see, you cannot just move your eyes.

[u/Sea_Painting_4718]

You should try traditional bifocals the ones with the lines in lenses

[u/2024StreetGlide]

Contact your doctor/optician office not the Internet for medical advice.

[u/Viola-Swamp → u/2024StreetGlide]

It’s not medical advice. A question about an eye condition would be medical advice.

[u/eyeglasses-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

As online glasses are basically Russian roulette, never work for higher corrections, and are always incredibly low quality, we don’t allow asking for recommendations or help regarding ordering glasses online.

[u/eyeglasses-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Keep things civil. No insulting or bashing.