Question - 1st time ordering progressive lenses

[JH]

Never had progressive lenses before and of course the optometrist
wanted me to go to a brick & mortar for my first pair (was not
thrilled that I was ordering online, by the way) - so my question to
you is: Do you see (ha ha) a problem with ordering online for my first
pair or would there be some measurement issue I am unaware of? Had no
problem with Zenni doing my single vision prescription.

Love those new lightweight frames now. Wow. (I hadn't been able to get
new glasses for years until my husband found this site for me - I am
very grateful you did the work to make this available!)

Got [URL="http://zennioptical.com/cart/product.php?
productid=94&cat=7&page=1"]these[/URL] and they didn't look exactly
like the pic - more see-through on the frames when I got them which
was cool with me. But I almost don't know I have anything on my face.
Wow. Amazing technology.

[Charles Knight]

Here is the text of the emails I received from Zenni, when I questioned them abut their progressive lenses.  Hope it helps you out, in some way.

And, be sure to let us know how your doctor likes the glasses you receive -- my ophthalmologist loves mine (Zenni single vision), and has recommended them to his relatives, and at least 1 nurse as well.

     -- Chuck Knight

__________________________________________________________


Dear Customer,

1. We don't do custom segment height for lined bi-focal or progressive glasses. The standard to which we produce multi-focal lens is, depending on the size of the lens, approximately 40% up from the bottom of the lens for a lined bi-focal, and 48% up from the bottom of the lens for a progressive lens design.

2.By the way, we want to confirm if you wore progressive glasses before? If not, we would suggest you to choose bifocal or single vision glasses for reading or for distance. Because if you are a new user of progressives, you may not get used to wearing them.

Thank you for your interest in Zenni Optical.

ZOCS:TT

- Show quoted text -

On 1/9/08, Charles Knight <chuck...@gmail.com> wrote:

I was told that you are the people to talk to about progressive lenses.

I've recently ordered some single-vision glasses from Zenni, and expect to be pleased with them.  But, my prescription is bifocal, and I'm somewhat vane.  I'll be ordering at least one pair of progressives, as well.  But, before I do, I had a few questions.

What progressive design to you use?  Does it have a narrow or a wide corridor?  How well does it address intermediate vision?  etc...  Basically, what kind of progressive would I be getting?

Where do you place the corridor?  Since there is no place on the order form for a vertical location, I presume it's at a standard height -- what is that height?

And finally, can I make adjustments to segment height in the "special instructions" field on my order form, if necessary?

I've never worn progressives before, but have a local optometrist who is willing to work with me for measuring, fitting, etc.

Thanks for your quick response.

     -- Chuck Knight

Reply

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Invite Zenni Optical to chat

Charles Knight

Thank you for your quick response. It's much appreciated.

01/08/08

Dear Customer,

Our progresive has a narrow corridor.

The design of the lens is such that there is less room for the reading function due to the fact that an additional focal field has been added (for the middle range vision). Approximately, the lower central third of the lens is dedicated to the reading function, and in order to keep that corrected area in front of your pupil, it becomes necessary to turn your head, slightly, from side to side.

By design, the progressive lens is quite serviceable for general wear, but if you plan on doing a great deal of close work, or reading, you may be better served by adding a back-up pair of single vision reading glasses, in which the entire lens is dedicated to the reading function, or just use bifocal glasses.

With the progressive lens, the accuracy of the PD number is critical. And the stronger your prescription, the more crucial the accuracy becomes. A millimeter or two, particularly if the prescription is strong, will make a big difference in the clarify of your vision.

Thank you for your interest in Zenni Optical.

ZOCS:SX

[mzdtk]

Once you have the glasses with progressive lenses please remember that
the rx is going to be the most accurate if your eyes look straight
forward. You then get used to turning your head to see from side to
side. I am sure that you will get used to them fast and will enjoy
either not hugging your monitor to see it as I did or hanging back so
far that its more than an arms length to see it clearly.

On Mar 28, 7:59�pm, "Charles Knight" <chuckkni...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Here is the text of the emails I received from Zenni, when I questioned them
> abut their progressive lenses. �Hope it helps you out, in some way.
>
> And, be sure to let us know how your doctor likes the glasses you receive --
> my ophthalmologist loves mine (Zenni single vision), and has recommended
> them to his relatives, and at least 1 nurse as well.
>
> � � �-- Chuck Knight
>
> __________________________________________________________
>
> Dear Customer,
>
> 1. We don't do custom segment height for lined bi-focal or progressive
> glasses. The standard to which we produce multi-focal lens is, depending on
> the size of the lens, approximately 40% up from the bottom of the lens for a
> lined bi-focal, and 48% up from the bottom of the lens for a progressive
> lens design.
>
> 2.By the way, we want to confirm if you wore progressive glasses before? If
> not, we would suggest you to choose bifocal or single vision glasses for
> reading or for distance. Because if you are a new user of progressives, you
> may not get used to wearing them.
>
> Thank you for your interest in Zenni Optical.
>

> ZOCS:TT- Show quoted text -

>
> On 1/9/08, Charles Knight <chuckkni...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > I was told that you are the people to talk to about progressive lenses.
>
> > I've recently ordered some single-vision glasses from Zenni, and expect to
> > be pleased with them. �But, my prescription is bifocal, and I'm somewhat
> > vane. �I'll be ordering at least one pair of progressives, as well. �But,
> > before I do, I had a few questions.
>
> > What progressive design to you use? �Does it have a narrow or a wide
> > corridor? �How well does it address intermediate vision? �etc... �Basically,
> > what kind of progressive would I be getting?
>
> > Where do you place the corridor? �Since there is no place on the order
> > form for a vertical location, I presume it's at a standard height -- what is
> > that height?
>
> > And finally, can I make adjustments to segment height in the "special
> > instructions" field on my order form, if necessary?
>
> > I've never worn progressives before, but have a local optometrist who is
> > willing to work with me for measuring, fitting, etc.
>
> > Thanks for your quick response.
>
> > � � �-- Chuck Knight
>

> �Reply
>
> Forward

>
> Invite Zenni Optical to chat
>

> Charles KnightThank you for your quick response. It's much appreciated.

> > productid=94&cat=7&page=1<http://zennioptical.com/cart/product.php?productid=94&cat=7&page=1>"]these[/URL]

> > and they didn't look exactly
> > like the pic - more see-through on the frames when I got them which
> > was cool with me. But I almost don't know I have anything on my face.

> > Wow. Amazing technology.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[KayakerNC]

I found it impossible to get used to progressives.
Reading a book or newspaper is an exercise in futility.
Your experience may vary.
A local B&M offered a free trial, and I ended up turning them back in
for normal bifocal lenses. But at those prices, I would probably have
been ahead to get the 50% money back at an online store and
repurchased the glasses I wanted. Live and learn.

Kayaker

[Fred Di]

I really don't like progressives either.
But there is another option, called monovision.

Rarely recommended by Opticians for glasses, but frequently used in
Lasic, and occasionally with contacts.

Basically you have one eye corrected for distance vision, and one eye
corrected for near vision.
You should determine which eye is dominate, and correct that eye for
distance, and the other one for close.

People have varied success with this. I find then OK for casual use,
but can't really use them for computer use or close reading. But they
work fine for many other things, like driving (I can also read my
speedometer) and going shopping, I can read labels.

There was another thread on this group, posted by someone who was very
pleased with monovision.

[mailbox]

I tried progressive lenses this year and fortunately I purchased them
from Costco. I couldn't adjust to the swiming the narrow central zone
of focus, moving my head around to focus etc. It might have been the
short corridor because of the size of the frame, the type of
progressive ( I think it was Ovation, Costco only sells one brand).
The good news is that 1 month after giving it a try, Costco refunded
the entire amount. So....... the answer is going to be whether you are
willing to gamble that they you will like the progressives.

To be honest I tried another pair that a friend had and has a similar
prescription. For some reason these were better. There are many
different types of progressives so finding the one that works for you
may or may not be difficult. In my case I now use a bifocal and am
very happy with them.

.

[JH]

Thank you all so much for your feedback. Still not sure which to do,
but now I have more to think about.

My husband has progessives and loves them. I guess it is a matter of
personal preference. At least I know what questions to ask him. :)

I so appreciate your responses. :)

[jaho...@googlemail.com]

If you speak to most any optician they will throw up their hands in
horror at the idea of supplying progressives lenses online. The reason
is that the lens must be placed very carefully over the eye.

Early designs of progressive lenses were more sensitive to positioning
that the latest types. We find that Essilor lenses are the easiest to
get right but you pay a premium for them. In the UK the rejection rate
for progressive lenses is far higher than in other regions. We think
that this is because the market is dominated by Specsavers (B&M) who
sell by price - so source cheap lenses. Specsavers' customers want
value for their money, so are sold the earlier (cheaper) designs of
progressive lenses. This is probably one of the reasons for the
relatively high rejection rate.

We supply progressive lenses online (www.netbriller.com) but we are
very careful about getting the lens placed correctly. We have a system
that allows the customer to place a photo of your glasses over their
face and then we can derive the correct fitting height. Now this is
not absolutely fool proof, so currently to help us to fine tune the
system we send the frames out to the customer so that they can
photograph themselves wearing them. We then cross reference the
measurements that we get with that photograph with the ones that our
purely online system generates. Even with this approach there are
prescriptions that we will not recommend progressive lenses for
(basically strong ones).

So what am I saying here - well basically you can buy progressive
lenses online but it is harder for the supplier to get them right.

Cheers,
James

[Chuck]

Well, just today, I received my latest Zenni order. In it was a
single vision pair for myself, a lined bifocal for my mother, and a
progressive multifocal for an elderly friend who lives down the
street.

My friend took off the pair (lenses keep falling out) that she bought
at Sears for a premium, and put on the Zenni pair that was purchased
for 1/10 the cost. No adaptation needed, similar dimensions, etc.
They worked perfectly for her, and her prescription is fairly strong.
(+6 sph +3 add) The progressive design is apparently similar to the
one used by Sears Optical, because she commented on how perfect they
seemed, and how effortlessly she adjusted.

All in all, a wonderful experience, once again.

-- Chuck Knight

On Mar 31, 6:56 am, "ja...@netbriller.com" <jahob...@googlemail.com>
wrote:

[Oz]

After having a previous pair of prgressives with a really small lens
(little ovals), I ordered from Zenni where they specify that the lens
height must be at least 32mm. I found that this height made using
progressives a little easier. There seems to be a more pronounced
point where the "reading" section of the lens starts to work. Maybe
this could be helpful when trying progressives for the first time.
Oz

> > > I so appreciate your responses. :)- Hide quoted text -

[warhorse]

I had a hard time with progressives. My first foray was unsuccessful,
after spending $300 I was still walking into walls after 2 months.

Stuff I learned:

1) stick with a frame size close to what you are used to. I have a
small face, and always wore small frames. The brick and mortar store
told me I needed frames as large as possible, because it is easier to
adapt. I found some research about eye movement patterns - someone
who is used to small frames will not adapt well to very large frames
(and vice versa).

2) Pay a little more for better lenses. I couldn't do that when I got
them at a brick and mortar store ($300 vs. $400+), but now I can.

3) Make sure you get frames with adjustable nose pieces. That way
you have control over where the lens transition falls. If you are set
on plastic frames without adjustable nose pads, I would get them sent
to you so you can take a picture how how they sit on your nose and the
place can adjust the lens accordingly.

I got 2 pair of progressive from 39dollarglasses.com. The first was
the Kodak Signet - they were the first I had tried since the pair I
never got used to a few years ago. I was used to them in about 2
hours - I wore them to work that night where I used the computer
constantly, and had no headache. They were about $100 with the
frames. The 'distortion zone' was almost unnoticeable.

I then decided to trade up for a pair of the Varilux Transitions
progressives. The Varilux cost more (even without the Transitions),
and were harder for me to get used to. Also, I find them impossible
to get clean. It seems no matter how hard I try, they are always
streaky - and if I continue trying to get rid of the streaks, I wind
up putting fine scratches in them. They have a narrower midrange, way
smaller reading area, and the distortion zone is annoying. It took me
a few weeks to get used to them.

Good luck!

[KayakerNC]

WarHorse,
39$ FAQ's has no mention of the Kodak Signet lenses:
"Do you sell no-line bifocals?
We offer no-line progressive lenses by Sola© and Varilux©, industry
leaders in ophthalmic lenses.
Progressives are sometimes referred to as "no-line bifocals", "no-line
trifocals", or "vari-focals."
They provide a graduated range of vision from distance to near,
without a line."

Kayaker

[sj]

I'm getting nervous reading these posts. I scratched up my main pair
of monovision glasses and placed an order with Zenni earlier today.
Besides the replacement monovision pair, I decided to order a pair of
progressives. The frames I ordered are 49mm wide, and 34mm high, I
hope those are going to be tall enough for the progressives to work
well. If I'd read this thread first, I might have settled for lined
bifocals instead. The only time the monovision aren't good enough is
when I'm driving at night. So I thought I'd try for something with
optimal distance correction in both eyes but would still let me quicky
glance at a map or written directions.

Now I'm going to be in suspense for 2 to 3 weeks wondering if I made a
good choice or not.

> > > I so appreciate your responses. :)- Hide quoted text -

[Chuck]

Well, I certainly hope yours turn out as well as the ones made for
people I know...

My friend's glasses work great, and her daughter is interested in
progressives now, too. And, a nurse at my ophthalmologist's office
has ordered a pair -- she commented that they have a very narrow
corridor, but fit great and most importantly, she can SEE! She has
them for those days she doesn't wear contacts.

My friend's glasses were 34mm (or maybe 35mm) tall, and they worked
GREAT! Doubt you'll have any problem, since Zenni requires a height
of at least 30mm, with 32mm preferred. You're well over that number.

Be sure to post a review when you get them, and then once they're
adjusted and you've worn them for a little while. Progressives are
somewhat trickier to fit than single vision, and adjustment is more
critical for proper fit, so many of us have concerns about ordering
them online. .I, personally, look forward to reading your review.

-- Chuck Knight

[Pau...@yahoo.com]

I think a lot has to do with your prescription. I didn't really need
progressives for reading. I still read with my glasses off. What I
needed them for was the difference in my distance vision and my
computer (arms length) vision. I tried progressives once and I just
never really liked them. There just wasn't enough visual height for
each correction. After trying them twice, I ended up getting 2 pairs
of glasses. One pair for driving/watching TV and another pair for the
computer.

But considering that you can get progressives from Zenni starting at
$37 and they'll cost you $200 minimum from a B&M (and you still might
not be happy with them), well, you do the math.