Understanding Vision Oct 16, 2017

How Do I Find the Best Progressive Lenses for Me?

No problem: with four types of progressive lenses, it’s easy to select the best one for your needs

Progressive lenses are optical masterpieces which offer smooth vision from near to far via what is known as the progression corridor or the transitional zone. But not all progressive lenses are the same. Your progressive lenses should match your personal requirements, lifestyle and, of course your budget, whilst providing you with natural, comfortable vision. It is important for you to understand exactly how your new progressive lenses work. Applying over 100 years of experience in the production of precision eyeglass lenses and after detailed market research, ZEISS has now created four different types of progressive lenses.

Type 1: Enjoy good vision again with your new ZEISS progressive lenses

Maybe you are not fully aware of how the digital age has dramatically changed the demands made on our vision in recent years. When you use a smartphone or a similar digital device, your reading distance is different from that required for reading a book or newspaper. This means the near vision zone of your lenses must be designed accordingly.

ZEISS progressive lenses take this into account – by incorporating Digital Inside^® Technology.

Traditional progressive lenses

Progressive lens optimized for conventional and digital reading behavior:

Near vision zone and inset adjusted for reading distance for print media.

Traditional progressive lenses

Progressive lens not optimized for digital reading behavior:

Near vision zone is not compatible with the shorter reading distance needed for digital devices. The result: an unnatural head and body posture is required to move digital devices into the sharply focused and clear near vision zone.

All ZEISS progressives, including the most favorably priced "Pure" version, can overcome the challenges posed by the digital world with the aid of special technology.

Digital Inside^® Technology Progressive lens optimized for conventional and digital reading behavior:

Near vision zone is extended vertically and horizontally for both reading distances – conventional print media and digital devices. The result: relaxed and natural head and body posture.

Then you are Progressive Lens Type 1 = Precision Plus

All you want is to be able to read better with your new progressive lenses.	____
And you read not only books, newspapers and magazines, but also a mobile phone or smartphone.	____
You also want thin and light lenses.	____

Type 2: You want progressives that match your style

Frame trends do not generally change as quickly as other fashion trends, but one thing is clear: larger frames are definitely becoming more popular again. If you want to follow this trend, this could be a challenge with your progressive lenses.

Experienced wearers of progressive lenses know that not every progressive lens design fits every pair of frames. The result: you may need to compromise the quality of your vision, as areas of the progressive lens may be blocked off when your lenses are being inserted in the frames. You may also have adaptation problems if you switch from a small to larger frames as you will have to relearn how to move your eyes through the various ranges of vision. The near vision zone is suddenly lower down the lens! This is something your eyes have to get used to.

No problem. With the aid of FrameFit^®+ Technology and world´s first Adaptation Control Technology from ZEISS, your eye care professional can have the lenses optimized for your new frames so that important zones on the lens are no longer blocked off – and you will not have to change your visual habits.

And needless to say, this type of ZEISS progressive lens is also optimized for the digital age! (see Type 1)

Vision with your old progressives in a smaller frame. Your eyes have learned to look through the marked area (yellow dot) for near vision.

With your new, larger frame and conventional progressives you look through an area (red dot) which is positioned much lower down the lens and requires you to change your visual behavior.

The optimized progressive lens allows you to enjoy comfortable near vision again (blue dot). There is no need for you to re-adapt.

Then you are Progressive Lens Type 2 = Precision Plus

You are fashion-conscious, and this comes into play when it comes to choosing new frames. But this does not mean that you are prepared to accept compromises in the quality of your progressive lenses.	____
You certainly don't want to have go through an irritating re-adaptation process with your new frames.	____
And, of course, you also use digital devices such as smartphones and want to read on the screen with the same ease as when reading a book.	____

The ZEISS Online Vision Check How well do you see contrast and colors? Check your vision quickly and easily here!

Start the eye test now!

Type 3: Somehow standard progressive lenses never quite meet your needs

No two faces are alike. And no two eyes, noses or ears are alike. Not even the right and left sides of our faces are symmetrical. If this individuality of your face is not taken into account in the production of a progressive lens, you may not be able to fully benefit from the optical performance of the lens.

Or perhaps you need high prescription powers for distance vision and have been wearing glasses since you were a child.

If so, you should ensure that your new progressives are exactly tailored to the personal parameters of your face.

Generally speaking, the better the progressive lens is adapted to the anatomy of the wearer and the more personalized it is, the better the utilization of three-dimensional vision and enhanced distance performance. FaceAdapt Technology makes it all possible.

How come?

By taking into account the exact facial anatomy of the wearer , e.g., how they look through the frames and how the frames sits on their nose and ears, the progressive lenses produced provide precisely the visual support needed.

As a comparison, imagine looking through a telescope. Like progressive lenses, this is an advanced optical system, but if you don't have the telescope at the right distance from your eye, then things will look blurred.

Needless to say, this progressive lens type also offers the benefits of Types 1 and 2.

One example

Standard lens design optimized for a face with standard position of wearing parameters:

Full vision experience when looking through the progressive lens without compromise

One example

Standard lens design on a face with non-standard position of wearing parameters:

Compromised vision experience when looking through the progressive lens
Three-dimensional vision potential cannot be utilized

One example

Lens design with FaceFit Technology on a face with non-standard position of wearing parameters:

Full vision experience without visual compromises when looking through the progressive lens, as the lens is optimized for the face
Full utilization of three-dimensional vision and enhanced distance perception for the wearer

Then you are Progressive Lens Type 3 = Precision Superb

You want progressive lenses that provide you with excellent optical quality and take into account your facial anatomy.	____
You have had some bad experiences with progressive lenses in the past.	____
Outstanding wearer tolerance is one of your top priorities.	____
You need very good, comfortable vision.	____
You need high prescription powers or have special visual requirements.	____
And, of course, you also use digital devices such as smartphones and want to use them with the same ease as reading a book.	____
And you are very receptive to new trends in frame fashion.	____

Type 4: You want progressive lenses that take your personal visual habits and lifestyle into account.

There are many different facets to our lives these days, each of us having unique habits, activities and, of course, jobs. We are the sum of all these things, and we need progressive lenses that incorporate all of these different factors. Maybe you spend a lot of the day at a drawing board, if you are an architect, for instance, or at a computer. Or do you look after your grandchildren on a regular basis, so that your eyes need to move constantly between near and far? Or perhaps you are a registrar and have to switch your gaze between the papers on your desk and the bride and groom in front of you.

Are different progressive lenses required for this? Yes, the design of your progressive lenses and the position of the vision zones can be exactly tailored to your main daily activities.

IndividualFit^® Technology makes this all possible. Your progressive lenses therefore combine all technological possibilities in one lens and offer you natural, comfortable vision – almost like in the days before you needed glasses.

1// IndividualFit Technology

IndividualFit^® Technology takes into account the individual’s main daily activities and provides a choice of three lens designs to suit the wearer’s needs.

Near:
Optimized design for prolonged near vision activities.

Optimum near vision zone
Wide distance vision zone maintained
Good intermediate vision zone

In addition, ZEISS Progressive Lens Individual 2 incorporates the individually measured reading distance and the individual wrap angle within the lens design.

1// IndividualFit Technology

IndividualFit^® Technology takes into account the individual’s main daily activities and provides a choice of three lens designs to suit the wearer’s needs.

Intermediate:
Optimized design for dynamic and intermediate activities.

Optimum intermediate vision zone
Wide distance vision zone maintained
Good near vision zone

In addition, ZEISS Progressive Lens Individual 2 incorporates the individually measured reading distance and the individual wrap angle within the lens design.

1// IndividualFit Technology

IndividualFit^® Technology takes into account the individual’s main daily activities and provides a choice of three lens designs to suit the wearer’s needs.

Balanced:
Optimized design for all-round activities.

Balanced vision ranges
Wide distance, intermediate and near vision zones

In addition, ZEISS Progressive Lens Individual 2 incorporates the individually measured reading distance and the individual wrap angle within the lens design.

Then you are Progressive Lens Type 4 = Individual 2

Your life is full of special situations requiring the most from your eyes.	____
You want progressive lenses that provide you with excellent optical quality and take into consideration your facial anatomy.	____
You have already had some bad experiences with progressive lenses.	____
Outstanding wearer tolerance is one of your top priorities.	____
You are totally reliant on very good, comfortable vision.	____
You need high prescription powers or have special visual requirements.	____
And, of course, you also use digital devices such as smartphones and want to read on the screen with the same ease as reading a book.	____
And you are very receptive to new trends in frame fashion.	____

In general:

Seek the advice of your eye care professional for your new progressive lenses, and find the solution that is best for you. First-time progressive lens wearers and wearers with special visual needs in particular, should have a closer look at the possibilities offered by leading-edge progressive lens technology. Progressive lenses are an investment in better vision, and one well worth making. After all, our eyes are the most important sense organ, as we perceive almost 80% of our surroundings through them.

My Vision Profile Determine your personal visual habits now and find your individualized lens solution.

Check your Vision Profile now!

Find an eye doctor near me

Related Products

EnergizeMe Eyeglass Lenses Time to refresh your tired eyes.

Learn more

Eyeglass lenses for driving. Reach your destination safely and stress-free.

Learn more

Progressive glasses are an all-around talent: finally enjoy good vision again – no matter the distance.

Learn more

{{ country.fda_text }}

How Do I Find the Best Progressive Lenses for Me?

No problem: with four types of progressive lenses, it’s easy to select the best one for your needs

Type 1: Enjoy good vision again with your new ZEISS progressive lenses

Traditional progressive lenses

Traditional progressive lenses

All ZEISS progressives, including the most favorably priced "Pure" version, can overcome the challenges posed by the digital world with the aid of special technology.

Then you are Progressive Lens Type 1 = Precision Plus

Type 2: You want progressives that match your style

Then you are Progressive Lens Type 2 = Precision Plus

Type 3: Somehow standard progressive lenses never quite meet your needs

One example

One example

One example

Then you are Progressive Lens Type 3 = Precision Superb

Type 4: You want progressive lenses that take your personal visual habits and lifestyle into account.

1// IndividualFit Technology

1// IndividualFit Technology

1// IndividualFit Technology

Then you are Progressive Lens Type 4 = Individual 2

In general:

Related Articles

Related Products