What are Progressive Lenses?
Progressive lenses, sometimes called progressive glasses, are a type of eyeglass lens designed to provide clear vision at multiple distances, eliminating the need for separate spectacles for near, intermediate, and far vision.
Here’s a breakdown of the zones in progressive lenses:
- Distance Vision (top of the lens): For viewing far-away objects.
- Intermediate Vision (middle): Useful for tasks like computer work or looking at something within arm’s length.
- Near Vision (bottom): Tailored for close-up activities, such as reading.
Progressive lenses are especially popular among people over 40 who experience presbyopia, an age-related condition that makes it harder to focus on nearby objects.
Pros and Cons of Progressive Lenses
Unlike traditional bifocals or trifocals, which have visible lines separating different lens strengths, progressive lenses offer a seamless transition between varying focal powers. This gradual change allows users to see clearly across distances without abrupt visual jumps.
While they offer convenience, some people may initially need time to adjust to the different zones, especially to avoid issues like peripheral distortion. This is one of the drawbacks to using progressive lenses, as peripheral distortion and an impaired view of the ground could potentially lead to falls, even after one is accustomed to using progressive lenses.
Progressive Lenses: Vision and Fall Risk
According to the American Public Health Association (APHA), “Falls in adults 65 years and over have been recognized as an urgent national public health crisis.” The CDC agrees, stating that “Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 years and older.” Their statistics reveal that over 14 million, or 1 in 4 older adults report falling every year. Interestingly, when pointing to the causes of falls in older adults, one reason the APHA mentions is “vision problems.” While the APHA doesn’t specify what kinds of vision problems lead to falls, there is one issue that has come to light in recent years: wearing multifocal lenses.
According to one researcher, “The risk of tripping increases by 2.3 times with multifocal lens wear, whether bifocal or progressive-addition lenses (PALs).” If your progressive glasses, or even your bifocals blur or otherwise obscure the lower area of your glasses when you are out and about, the risk of tripping and falling is real. Studies confirm that multifocal lenses increase variability in toe clearance, thereby increasing the risk of falling.
Put simply, multifocal glasses can make it hard to see the ground in front of you. Harvard Medical School says, “When we walk, we normally see the ground from a distance of five to six feet, but the focal length of the lower segment of multifocal lenses is only slightly more than one foot. Consequently, our view of the ground is blurry. Depth perception as well as contrast …is impaired at precisely the distance you need to detect and avoid ground-level obstacles.”
To make matters worse, many older adults might not realize their multifocal lenses are to blame for their fall or falls. Older patients tend to blame themselves for a fall instead, when in reality it really could be the simple problem of multifocal glasses. Without a doubt, to reduce the falls caused by progressive lenses, boosting awareness of this issue is key – for both patients and eye care professionals.
It’s also worth noting that when you are first prescribed progressive lenses, they may not cause any problems at all. However, as you age and the prescription for the reading portion of the glasses gets stronger, tripping and even falling may become an issue. Eye care professionals should warn patients about this danger when prescribing progressive lenses and when changing a patient’s prescription.
Reducing Your Fall Risk with Progressive Lenses
If you do wear progressive lenses, what can you do to prevent a fall? Keep in mind that you are less likely to trip and fall in your own home since you are familiar with your surroundings there – even if you are wearing a pair of progressive lenses. The biggest risk comes from wearing your progressives outside of your home, on a walk around the neighborhood or out to lunch with friends, for example.
To avoid falls when heading out the door, at the very least be sure to drop your chin when going up and down stairs or walking on uneven surfaces for a better view of the ground. Better yet, why not use a pair of single-focus lenses? They’ll give you a clear view of the ground as you navigate unfamiliar terrain. Sure, progressives are convenient, and switching between two pairs of glasses can be a hassle, but with the very real risk of falling looming, patients do well to prioritize safety over convenience.
Alternatives to Progressive Lenses and Bifocal Glasses
A variety of alternatives exist to eliminate the need for progressive lenses and bifocal glasses. These include refractive surgery, cataract surgery, contact lenses, and orthokeratology. All of these alternatives have options to improve your distance and near vision without the negative effects of progressive and bifocal glasses.
Conclusion
If you or a loved one are considering switching to progressive lenses, need a pair of single-focus glasses to complement your progressives, or are seeking alternatives for progressive and bifocal glasses, schedule an appointment with CLEI’s team of eye care professionals today. We will be happy to give you any guidance you need on enjoying clear vision while avoiding the risk of tripping and falling.
