How to Choose Frames for Progressive Lenses

For many who need to see clearly at multiple distances, progressive lenses offer a convenient and seamless solution. They combine different prescriptions into one single lens, allowing you to easily transition from viewing objects far away to reading a book up close. However, to truly benefit from progressive lenses, the frame you choose is just as important as the lens technology itself. A poor frame choice can lead to a long adjustment period, visual distortion, and discomfort.

This guide will provide you with the essential knowledge needed to select the ideal progressive lens frames, ensuring a comfortable and successful experience.

The Golden Rules for Progressive Lens Frames

Frame Height is Non-Negotiable

This is the most critical factor. A progressive lens requires a minimum vertical space to accommodate the different viewing zones: distance at the top, intermediate in the middle, and reading at the bottom. If the frame is too shallow, it will cut off the reading zone, rendering the glasses ineffective for close-up tasks. We highly recommend a frame height between 35-40mm to ensure all functional areas of the lens are fully available.

Design and Adjustability

The right design ensures a perfect fit, which is crucial for progressive lens performance.

• Nose Pads: Opt for frames with adjustable nose pads, ideally in an S-shaped design. This shape offers multi-directional adjustment, allowing a dispenser to precisely position the lenses at the correct height and distance from your eyes.

S-shaped design

• Endpieces and Pantoscopic Tilt: The endpiece, or hinge, where the temple connects to the frame front, should be easily adjustable. This allows for precise setting of the pantoscopic tilt—the angle at which the bottom of the frame is tilted inwards towards your cheeks. A proper pantoscopic tilt ensures light enters your eye at the optimal angle, minimizing optical distortion.

Acetate is not easy to adjust Pantoscopic Tilt

• Flexible Temples: Frames with flexible temples conform better to your head shape, reducing pressure on the sides and preventing the glasses from slipping. This is vital for maintaining the correct lens alignment throughout the day.

Precision is Key: Pupil Alignment and Decentration

The success of progressive lenses depends on the precise alignment of the lens's optical center with your pupil. This requires accurate measurements and a frame that facilitates a good fit.

Decentration is the measurement of the distance between the center of your pupil and the optical center of the lens. While a decentration of 0mm is theoretically the most ideal state, in practice, trying to achieve this often means selecting a frame that is too narrow for your face. This can lead to a tight, uncomfortable fit that compromises your overall wearing experience.

Therefore, it's crucial to prioritize a comfortable frame within a reasonable range of decentration. We recommend a decentration of no more than 5mm, and ideally within 3mm, when the frame width is properly matched to your face. Remember, within this acceptable range, a comfortable fit is more important than a perfect decentration. An uncomfortable pair of glasses, no matter how precise the optical data, will not provide a good wearing experience.

Here is the formula to calculate horizontal decentration:

(Lens Width + Bridge Width - Your Pupillary Distance) / 2 = Decentration

Avoid These Frame Shapes

While fashion is a factor, some frame shapes are simply incompatible with progressive lenses. It is best to stick to conventional shapes like rectangle, round, or oval frames. You should explicitly avoid frames that are:

• Irregular or extreme shapes: These frames can cut off or distort the visual zones.
• Too small or too narrow: They do not provide enough vertical space for the different prescription zones.
• Overly curved: Highly curved frames, like those in a wraparound style, can cause visual distortion and are generally not suitable for progressive lenses.

Summary: The Perfect Progressive Experience

Ultimately, a successful progressive lens experience is a perfect marriage between cutting-edge lens technology and a meticulously chosen frame. When selecting your frames, don't just focus on style. Prioritize frame height, adjustability, and a comfortable fit that keeps the lenses perfectly aligned with your eyes.