Vision Problems Help

Since all prescriptions are verified before processing, the lenses are made to the prescription provided by the doctor. When experiencing unknown problems, knowing if the prescription has already been worn in another pair of glasses successfully can help narrow down the type of corrections necessary.
 

Common symptoms:

• Blurred vision
• Issues with only one eye
• Low vision at night

 

Common symptoms:

For an incorrect axis, please see the Incorrect Prescription section for common symptoms.
   

Locating the optical center:

Moving the lens 2-5 millimeters in either direction should relieve the symptoms experienced. In minor cases, the correction can be addressed by just having the frame adjusted. However, more severe cases would require the individual to be remeasured so the lens can be remade correctly in the frame. The direction of where the lens is moved can help identify which measurement needs to be rechecked.
 

Lens adaptation can vary from person to person, and what works well for one individual may not be suitable for another. Luckily, there are a wide number of options available on the market that address most symptoms. Consulting an eye care professional during the adaption period is crucial, as they can address concerns and make necessary adjustments to guide a successful transition. Most lens adaptation periods can take around 1-2 weeks, and if the visual issues are not resolved within that time, material or design changes may be necessary.
 

Material adaptation

Different lens materials allow different amounts of light through the lens. This is called the ABBE (aberration) value. Changing to a higher index material may be thinner but may cause other issues related to the ABBE value. Visit the Lens Thickness Chart to see each material's aberration value.

Common symptoms:

• More common in older individuals
• Fuzzy vision or reduced clarity
• Fishbowl effects
• Inaccurate depth perception
• Dizziness or nausea

 

Design adaptation

When changing from one type of eyeglass lens design to another, such as traditional to digital, some wearers may initially notice visual aberrations, blurriness, or distortion. These issues generally improve with time as your eyes adapt, and if not, then it may be necessary to try a different design or revert to the design that was worn previously. 

Glare and stray-light issues are usually attributed to wearing thinner hi-index lenses due to their lower aberration values. Adding an anti-glare coating to these lenses is suggested to help reduce or alleviate specific lighting issues. Otherwise, symptoms are typically reduced when a lens material with a higher aberration value, usually a thicker lens material, is selected. Please see the Lens Thickness chart for each material's aberration value. Individuals who are considering higher index lenses should consider adding an anti-glare coating.
 

Common symptoms:

• Light sensitivity
• Eye-strain & fatigue
• Halos (mostly at night)
• Difficulty viewing screens and devices

The cross-polarization effect, also known as cross-polarized light, only applies to polarized sun lenses and refers to a phenomenon where light waves that are polarized in one direction are subjected to a second polarization in a perpendicular direction.
 

Some electronic displays may have a "blacked-out" effect when utilizing polarized lenses. Consequently, it is recommended to refrain from wearing polarized lenses while operating airplanes or helicopters, where it is essential to view screens. Instead, opting for non-polarized tinted alternatives is advised if sun protection is a priority.

There are several reasons why it can be troublesome to adapt to certain progressive lenses. Focusing on the following issues should be considered to help reduce any undesirable symptoms.
 

Cause	Details	Solution
Narrow Frame Height	A narrow frame restricts and reduces the different view fields, which can make it more difficult to focus at different distances.	Select frames that have a taller height to expand the distance and reading portion of the lens. Frames and lenses may be exchanged as per the Returns Policy.
Distance/Reading segment too Low/High	If the wearer is constantly moving the frames up and down to focus on the distance/reading portion, it may be due to the way the sections are positioned in the frame. The Seg Height measurement is used to determine the vertical positioning of the progressive lens in the frames so the distance/reading portion of the lens is not too high or too low. If the Seg Height is not set correctly, it can cause discomfort for the wearer and make the lenses more difficult to use.	Progressive lenses may be remade in a different Seg Height measurement per the Lens Accuracy Guarantee. The new Seg Height must be provided for the request by the customer or the prescribing doctor for accuracy. Sometimes, marking the lens with a marker where the pupil rests is sufficient to give the lab for a lens re-do request in a new Seg Height.
Dizziness or “Going Swimming”	The way the different powers in the progressive lenses graduate from each other may cause dizziness. Additionally, the edge of the lens will not provide vision as clear as the center.	It takes practice and time to let the brain and eye adjust to the different lens powers and to make focusing on the center of the lens a habit. Adding an anti-glare coating may reduce edge distortion, but the dizziness feeling is normal when acquainted with a new set of progressive lenses. Many higher-quality brands offer less distortion and a broader vision range, which makes adapting to progressive lenses easier. Lenses may be exchanged for a different lens brand/design as per the Returns Policy.
Unfamiliar Lens Material	Generally, elderly individuals who are used to wearing lenses in a certain material may experience some difference in vision.	It is recommended to stay with the same lens material. Lenses may be exchanged for a different material as per the Returns Policy.
Complete Non-Adapt	When the wearer has too much trouble adapting to the progressive lens and finally determines that progressive lenses just aren’t right for them.	Lenses may be changed to standard (lined) bi-focal, tri-focal, or single vision (distance or near) only, as per the Returns Policy.

A Compensated Prescription (also called a reconciled or adjusted prescription) is a version of a patient’s original eyeglass or lens prescription that’s been modified to account for how the lens will actually sit in front of the eye when worn — including factors like:

• Vertex Distance (the distance between the back of the lens and the front of the eye)
• Pantoscopic Tilt (the tilt angle of the frame/lens in front of the face)
• Wrap Angle (the horizontal curve of the frame around the face)
• Lens Thickness
• Material Refractive Index

The original doctor’s Rx remains the baseline, but when lenses are manufactured — especially digitally surfaced freeform lenses — labs often use compensated values to ensure that the wearer experiences the intended correction through the actual lens geometry and positioning.  
 

When is this used?:

These adjustments are especially important in high prescriptions, wraparound sunglasses, or sport frames, where the lens position and angle can significantly alter the effective power perceived by the eye.

• Digitally Surfaced or Freeform lenses
• Custom progressive lenses
• High-power prescriptions (typically over ±4.00 D)
• Sport or wraparound frames
• Specialty lenses (like Zeiss Individual, Shamir Autograph, etc.)

 

Example:

If a patient’s Rx is written as -6.00 D for distance, but the lens sits further from the eye (or at a tilt), the perceived power may no longer be exactly -6.00 D once worn. The compensated Rx might then adjust to something like -6.25 D to achieve the same visual clarity as the original intent.