Adjusting to Progressive Bifocals? 7 Tips to Help

Switching to progressive bifocals can be difficult. Some people find that progressive bifocals make them nauseous, while others find that wearing them slows them down as they complete visual tasks. Navigating staircases can also be difficult when you're new to progressive bifocals. These tips can help you with the adjustment process.  
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1. Go Cold Turkey

You may be tempted at first to flip back and forth between your old glasses and new. If you do this, you may wear your old glasses more than your new progressive bifocals. Wearing your old glasses when the new ones get tiring can just draw out the transition process.
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When you get your new glasses, put your old glasses somewhere inaccessible. Do not wear them unless you lose your new glasses or are otherwise instructed by your eye doctor.
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2. Wear Your Glasses All the Time

Put your glasses on first thing in the morning, and force yourself to wear them all day long. If your glasses are only intended for certain purposes or at certain times of the day, wear them even when you don't need to, to get used to the sensation of having them on your face.
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3. Know When to Take Them Off

New glasses can cause eye strain, especially if those new glasses force you to rethink how you use your eyes and body when conducting daily tasks. If you start to get headaches from using your eyeglasses, take them off until the headache goes away.
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If you experience headaches on a regular basis, check in with your eye doctor. Your eye doctor may need to make adjustments to your prescription.
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4. Avoid Looking at the Ground

While you adjust to your new glasses, watching the ground while you walk can make you feel nauseous and uncertain on your feet. So keep your eyes up while you walk.
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Avoid looking at things that make you feel uncomfortable unless you have a specific reason to do so. Keeping your eyes only on those things that you can look at comfortably will help you through the adjustment period.
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5. Hold the Railing When Navigating Stairs

Stairs can be especially tricky for people who are new to progressive bifocals. When looking down, you may glance through the wrong part of your glasses to see that your feet and the stairs are fuzzy. This can be disorienting and may even lead to a fall.
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Always hold onto the railing when walking on a staircase for the first few weeks with your new glasses. This measure can prevent you from falling if you do become confused or disoriented.
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6. Hold Reading Material at the Right Distance

Your progressive bifocals are meant to correct your vision when you read from a certain distance. Hold papers, books, and screens about 16 to 18 inches from your face, and look at them through the bottom of your glasses.
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If the words are unclear, adjust the location of the paper until the text is clear. If you have a hard time finding the sweet spot where text becomes clear through your progressive bifocal lenses, talk to your eye doctor.
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7. Get Your Frames Professionally Adjusted

​Before leaving the eye doctor with your new eyeglasses, have the frames adjusted by someone at the eye doctor's. Your glasses should feel comfortable on your face, without hugging the backs of your ears or the bridge of your nose too tightly.
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Work With Your Eye Doctor for More Suggestions

Making the adjustment to progressive bifocals can take many days. Working with your eye doctor can help ensure that the transition is successful. At Family Eye Care, we're always happy to answer questions from patients who are new to progressive bifocals. To find out more about how you can make the adjustment, contact us today
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