Judging or Adapting to new Free Form progressives

[highstream]

I've been wearing Varilux Comforts (CR39) for a decade, the past
several years in a 48-19/31 frame. I got new frames - 49-19/33.3
(Luxottica Memorize LU6504) and decided to try the Shamir Autograph
II. They came yesterday, but the lab forgot to get the AR coating put
in, so I'm using these while the order is redone. I expect an
adjustment period - it took a good two weeks with the original
Comforts - and understand that the lack of AR means things are not
quite as sharp as they will be. However, nearing 24 hours later
something seems really askew. The standard idea is to point one's
nose toward what's to be looked at. What I'm finding is that I have
to point my nose underneath almost everything - tilt my head down
unnaturally - to read most clearly, whether it's something at eye
level across the room (40'), the computer monitor a good arm's length
away, or the scale at my feet. The only exception so far is normal
reading distance, where I don't have to do anything unnatural (though
my nose seems to be pointing up a little). The thing, though, is the
text is readable but doesn't really become clear until it's brought to
about 12" from my eyes. With my previous glasses, no such adjustment
is necessary, and moving the text away a little even makes it
clearer. I'm wondering if there's something wrong with either the new
prescription, the lens, or the lens choice relative to the frame. The
frames seem to be adjusted correctly, or at least as I like them (snug
to the nose). The purpose of posting this is to get some ideas about
what I might be experiencing, at least before heading back in to the
optician.

New Rx:
OD +0.50 -0.75 87 +2.50
OS +0.75 -1.00 97 +2.50

Old Rx (virtually the same since 2005 - and I could live with
comfortably):
OD +0.25 -0.75 100 +2.00
OS +0.50 -1.25 95 +2.00

[PitSpaniel]

Since you have to lower your head to clearly see at mid range and
distance I STRONGLY suspect that the fitting height of your lenses is
WAY to high for your frames.

I supose there are a very small number of people who need to adapt to
free form lenses; but, since you have worn Varilux Confort for a
number of years I doubt that you are one of them.

See your optician now.

By the way, 39$ and Coastal Contact offer free form progressives.
Betcha the cost of glasses from either of them is much lower than what
you paid. Granted they're not Autograph II's. You might try ordering a
pair from one of these online vendors. It would be an interesting
comparison for you. (I've ordered free form lenses from both and I
really like them.)

[highstream]

Thanks for your reply and I'm going back to the optician today. The
Shamir Autograph II requires a minimum of 19mm fitting height. While
I'm not exactly sure what that means, it does bring to mind a question
the optician initially wondered about in terms of reading and computer
work: are my frames deep enough to support this model lens given my
prescription?

[highstream]

Follow up to optician visit today. She adjusted the frame to increase
the pananamic (?), but suggested that the top segment might not have
been given enough. From what I got, segment sizes are cut on a
standard formulaic basis, given pupil placement, and that "deviations"
have to be specially requested. As for regular reading, she explained
that the difference in where I need to hold a book to get clearest
vision has to do with the Add. Mine went from 2.00 to 2.50, which
brings the sweet spot much closer, much closer than I like (12" away
seems to be much closer than people imagine it is). Probably 2.25
would be better. Since a new set of lenses with AR this time are due
later in the week, and I get one free replacement, the plan is to give
the new set a run over the holiday, then decide on adjustments at
once.