Rob wrote:
Hi,
I’m 46 and my doctor has strongly suggested I go with progressive lenses.  The last 4 years I have been wearing reading glasses which are now fine for computer work but not so good for reading fine print up close.

The first pair of progressives I could not even leave the office with as the reading area at the bottom of the lense was literally just that. I had to go all the way to the bottom of the lense where I could actually see the frame in my line of sight and the words still were not clear.

My doctor gave me a second exam, with a different prescription and then a second pair of progressives, which I did take out of the office.  These were Zeiss progressive lenses, supposedly the best on the market.  The top portion was for distance and the bottom portion for reading.  The reading area was indeed correct.

The problem was that 70% of my work is in front of computer screens, and I have to look at information (numbers, meter levels, images) in many different places at the same time so I use my peripheral quite a bit.  The intermediate area of the progressive literally only had 1 inch that was in focus so I could not see any of this important detail in my peripheral at all.  My calculation is that the top portion of the lense (distance) was need 5% of the time – the middle portion (1 inch in focus) was needed 70% of the time and the reading portion 25% of the time.

So this is where I am now.  Do I go with a progressive with intermediate (computer in focus) at the top and reading at the bottom?  Do I go with regular bifocals with intermediate as main portion and reading at the bottom?  I want as much peripheral in that intermediate potion as possible – as it is needed for the work I do.  I don’t care about people seeing the line, my priority is being able to do my work.

Problem:  I have to pay for this next change of lense so I have to get this right.

Thanks

ANSWER

Rob,

I get this type of question quite frequently and understand your frustration.  Computer progressives (intermediate at the top of the lens and reading at the bottom) will be a good option for you.  These give a wider intermediate portion than a regular progressive.  However, the regular bifocals for intermediate and reading will give you the widest intermediate portion.  With the regular bifocals, because there is a line, the top part will be exactly the same as your current reading glasses.  The computer progressives will have some distortion in the periphery of the lens, but it will be less than regular progressives. I hope this will help you make your decision.

Dr. Doman

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