Frame for Progressive Glasses

by Grace
(Spain)

Q: I live in Spain, where frames and lenses are very expensive. I have seen frames online and thought I would purchase a cheaper frame and then have the lenses fitted here.

My questions are:

Is a sunglasses frame suitable for use with varifocals?

What specifications should I look for in the frame for progressive glasses?

From reading your webpage, I understand I should not buy a small height frame for the lenses, I will be looking for a "wayfarer" style frame.

Thank you for any advice.

A: Hello Grace

I will start by telling you that the sunglasses frames are suitable for use with varifocals but....

Usually, this kind of frames are harder, rough and is more difficult for the optician to mount the lenses in this kind of frames. So, if you want to use sunglasses frames for your progressive glasses, you should ask your optician if he (or she) will mount the varifocal lenses in them.

It can be a hard work and not every optician will make it. If the answer is no, then look for a standard prescription eyeglass frame that looks like your frame, usually there is one.

About the specifications of the frame, you must consider the following:

First of all see if the frame will suit your face. For this take a frame that you already have and read the specifications on the temple (the numbers from the temple), and be sure to use them when ordering a new frame. This way, you are sure that the size of the new frame will be ok for you.

To understand better, read this example.

About the height of the frame, you should know that there are two types of varifocal lenses: normal (for standard or large frames), and narrow lenses (for small frames) as explained here. If you want a small frame, you can choose the narrow lenses for it, but I must tell you that the adaptation will be a little harder with this kind of lenses, and sometimes these lenses are more expensive because the way they are made.

If this is your first varifocal glass, I think is better if you go with the normal lenses, it will be easier for you to adjust. The shape that you mentioned wayfarer is ok, just ask about the height and be sure is at least the minimum for the progressive glasses 30 mm.

Related Information

Progressive Lenses

Progressive Eyeglasses Accommodation

Digital Progressive Lenses

Hope this will help,
Good luck and feel free to write us when you have your new glasses so others can use this information.

Arpi

Comments for Frame for Progressive Glasses

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May 16, 2014

Problem with progressive lenses
by: saleem

Recently I ordered my eyeglasses with progressive lenses. I wear the glasses and they are fine every where I see, but when I see right side without turning my head (I just turn my eyes right sides), it is seen blured (not clear).

What can I do with lenses or frame?

May 18, 2014

Progressive lenses
by: Arpi

Because of the special way in which these lenses are produced, how you see through the different parts of the lens is different. Particularly at the sides of lens image is blurred and this is normal.

The progressive lens has a strip down the middle from top to bottom, which you see clearly and has side edges that are blurry. Usualy this side parts are cut on the mounting process, this depends on the frame size.

Normally this discomfort will go away with time, if you wear the glasses all the time, this means accommodating with progressive lenses. My advice is to wear a longer time ( usualy 3-4 weeks ), and if you can not get used to them, then go back to the shop where you bought them and explain the problem to them.

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