Progressive Lenses Davis CA

Progressive lenses are multifocal lenses that are used eyeglass wearers to correct their vision in various ways. The lens prescription provides the patient with glasses that make it possible to see objects clearly whether they are far away, at a medium distance or close up. This is done by blending varying lens powers so that the eyeglass wearer can look through the glasses at different angles, depending on the type of vision required. Progressive lenses have acquired their name from the fact that their multifocal, corrective ability changes progressively as the eyeglass wearer looks through the top, centre and bottom of the lenses. The distance section is at the top of the progressive lenses, and the close-up section for actions such as reading is at the bottom. The intermediate vision area, usually suited to tasks about an arm’s length away such as computer work, is in the centre.

While progressive lenses have these similar characteristics, they also vary in some ways, depending on design and brand. In some progressive lenses, for example, one section such as the close-up section may be larger than others. There are also differences in the areas at the sides of the progressive lenses, known as the blending zones.

Progressive lenses are among the most popular forms of treatment for people affected by presbyopia. An age-related condition, presbyopia is a form of farsightedness that makes it hard to focus clearly on near objects. Glasses with progressive lenses make it easier for people to cope with presbyopia, with the strength of the lens prescription depending on the level of vision correction needed by the person wearing the glasses.

Signs that a person may be suffering from the onset of presbyopia and would therefore benefit from progressive lenses usually start in middle age. A common symptom that glasses may be needed is a blurring of vision when looking at close-up objects. This makes it hard to perform such actions as reading, especially small print, or to sew or to focus on the information on a computer screen. Reading material often has to be held at arm’s length and, if still trying to function without eyeglass assistance, the person may experience headaches and eyestrain, as well as a feeling of tiredness. A visit to an optometrist in Davis at this stage will more than likely result in a lens prescription for glasses. While some types of glasses can be bought over the counter without a lens prescription, these will not solve vision problems that could be helped more successfully by professionally prescribed progressive lenses.

Unlike lined bifocal and trifocal lenses, progressive lenses have no visible dividing lines to indicate that the lens prescription has taken different levels of vision into consideration. The glasses appear to have clear, unlined lenses but they are actually constructed with a number of curves through which the progression from one area of focus to the next is achieved. The progression is gradual, meaning that the progressive lenses enable the person wearing the glasses to adjust focus smoothly from one area of vision to the next. The absence of visible dividing lines on the surface of the lenses also makes progressive lenses more aesthetically appealing to many eyeglass wearers.

Another advantage of progressive lenses is the variety of choice they offer to people who need to wear glasses. Depending on different and individual requirements, progressive lenses can be customized to take those requirements into consideration. Progressive lenses can, for example, be customized to suit a person whose day includes a predominance of computer work and needs glasses with lenses that make it as easy as possible to carry out this work. Some organizations are even covering the cost of progressive lenses for their employees who wear glasses because it is considered safer and more comfortable to wear them all the time rather than having to adjust to different eyeglass types for work and leisure.