When it comes to selecting progressive lenses, it’s important to understand the differences between standard and premium options. Standard vs. premium progressive lenses offer varying levels of correction and customization, making it essential to consider both your vision needs and budget.
I bet at some point in your life, when you were younger, one of your daydreams was to be an adult.
And why wouldn’t you want that?
Adults have free reign over their cell phones; they can go for an “adventure” wherever they want; they can buy ANY chips in the store, no matter how many!
And the big selling point: they don’t have any bedtimes!
Earlier, you used to have a simple mindset and even simpler goals in life- everyone did!
Then, as you got older and became an adult yourself, you realized that the truth is far from what you had imagined!
You need to learn how to take care of yourself while being homesick in your dorm to study.
You need to learn how to roll with the punches when life’s particularly hellbent on breaking you down.
You learn how to differentiate “survival” and “living.”
You learn, learn, learn, and keep learning until you can see the big picture.
And by the time you do, you’re probably having trouble actually looking at something up close or far away.
Well, while we can’t fix everything for you, we can take care of this problem with the help of progressive lenses.
What are Progressive Lenses?
These are lenses suggested by optometrists everywhere for those who are starting to have a tough time focusing on nearby objects at a dime (this condition is called presbyopia)
Because these are multifocal, they’re a huge step up from the bifocal or trifocal lenses, where they’re created to enhance both objects from up close and those far away without an obvious bifocal line.
You can even ask your optics manufacturer to add some customizations to accommodate your lifestyle, such as light-adjusting transition, blue-light-blocking, and sun protection.
Now, these lenses are of two kinds: the standard and the premium.
What is a Standard Progressive Lens?
Standard progressives are just that: the standard.
They provide an easy transition between nearby and faraway objects; they’re designed to have plenty of room at the bottom because that’s where you have a clear and better shot of looking at something nearby.
Features
- Wide viewing area
- Easy transition between distant and nearby objects
What is a Premium Progressive Lens?
Since there’s “premium” in this one’s name, you’d think this one’s the new and improved one, don’t you?
Well, you’re partly correct!
This does exceptionally well in reducing lens distortion.
Not only that, but it also has a broad viewing area even though the lens is small, unlike the standard progressives.
Features
- Minimizes lens distortion
- Uses small lenses
Comparison of Standard and Premium Progressive Lenses
Room with a View
As mentioned earlier, standard progressive lenses have a wider surface for you to look through than what premium progressive has to offer.
But does that always make it better?
Well, it depends on your preferences, honestly.
So, wider surfaces mean wider lenses, right?
Standard progressives make use of wider lenses so that you could have a broader scope at their bottom part for the area designated for looking at nearby objects.
Because of this, your glasses will have to be significant for these lenses to work.
Meanwhile, premium progressive lenses work better in a small size.
In that line, you can use a small frame to keep your premium progressives in.
Now, how does this difference relate to your preferences?
Well, not everyone is fond of having huge frames take over half their face.
This kind of wide frame – be it circular or geometric – can only complement well to triangular face shapes or round ones for their features to be given light.
As for premium progressives, these could be highly favored by those who want a more “out of the way” minimalistic look because of how small they are compared to the standard.
But, again, you can only work with it if it looks good on you!
After all, just because your vision is slowly taking a nosedive doesn’t mean you have to look miserable the entire time!
Back and Forth
Both progressive lenses have a seamless vision correction for all three distances: nearby, intermediate, and long.
You can look at nearby things using the bottom part of the lens.
For intermediate, it’s a smack dab in the middle of the lens.
And lastly, the long-distance one is up at the topmost.
You can easily switch between these three areas without the visible lines that can be seen from bifocal lenses!
However, you’ll have to get used to this kind of thing first, especially if you’ve lived most of your life using reading glasses.
Although, one thing you must know is progressive lenses have what you call “dead areas.”
These “dead areas” are located at each side of the intermediate distance. They’re called that way because progressive lenses have their downside of having awful peripheral vision qualities.
Even the premium progressives can’t remove this flaw, but it’s far lesser than the one from the standard.
Again, that’s why you must train yourself and learn as much as you can about using progressive lenses!
The adjustment period can be disorienting at the start, but wearing this is definitely worth the trouble.
Money Matters
Of course, with how premium progressives are the “new and improved” progressive lenses between the two, it’s only natural for it to be much more expensive compared to the standard!
What’s more, the premium is constructed to handle everything that a progressive lens is supposed to have from a downsized version of the standard, so that makes it worth its price from maybe half a grand to $800!
Final Thoughts
Getting older has its many downsides and benefits in a balance.
Sure, your body would be failing you in the smallest things, but it always starts with deteriorating eyesight.
Until it only gets worse from here on out.
But technology has advanced to the point that it serves to make things easier for you.
Well, at least that’s always been the goal, right?
However, CHOOSING to use this is entirely up to you.
Maybe you’re too proud to admit that your glasses for hyperopia can only get you so far now. Or perhaps you’re still not ready to face the music that you are getting older?
Either way, progressive lenses are entirely created for your comfort and accessibility.
Using these is guaranteed to help make life somewhat easier for yourself and allow you the time to enjoy something else for a change.
Wallowing in your deteriorating vision doesn’t seem like a good hobby, after all.
So, go ahead! Choose whichever progressive lenses you want for the long run!
Be it standard or premium–their purpose is to provide you with ease, and that’s what you’ll get because you deserve it after leading a long life.
