For your presbyopic patients, the benefits of progressive lenses are clear. Progressive lenses provide seamless vision correction for near, intermediate, and distance needs—a feature traditional lens types simply can’t match. This blog will show you how you can help reduce issues that cause non-adapts for these patients. Less non-adapts means happier patients.
Of course, we know progressive lenses can be a bit more challenging for some to adapt to in comparison to single vision or bifocal designs. That’s why helping patients succeed with progressives—especially first-time wearers—is absolutely crucial. When a new presbyope isn’t able to adapt to a PAL, we’re not just missing an opportunity for a higher priced sale; we’re limiting that patient’s experience of natural, flexible vision and many
valuable add-ons only available with today’s premium PALs. Bifocals just can’t offer the same range of materials and enhancements, like high-index lenses, advanced photochromic technology, or polarized options, that digital PALs deliver.
Ultimately, if a patient sticks with bifocals or older lens types, both their visual comfort and your long-term sales potential are diminished. As more options for flat-tops phase out, progressive lenses continue to expand the possibilities for both patients and practices.
Here are four key tactics to help minimize your non-adapt rate and set your patients up for long-term success:
Frames
Helping your patients find the right frame is key to unlocking both sharp vision and all-day comfort. Choose frames that fit snugly on the bridge of the nose and sit close to the face—a proper fit makes all the difference, since too much vertex distance can compromise overall vision quality.
Aim for at least 14mm of usable lens below the fitting cross and 10mm above. Anything less can shrink critical viewing areas and impact the intended performance of the lens design.
It’s always smart to factor in your patient’s prescription, too. Those with higher prescriptions will get the most benefit from smaller frames, which not only keep lenses thinner and lighter but also help deliver optimal visual performance.
Lenses
Premium digital lenses—like those from Varilux, Shamir, Kodak, or our own Heritage and Legacy G3 lines—can really open up your patients’ world; offering wider fields of view and significantly less unwanted “swim”. When you upgrade to a fully compensated design, such as Varilux Comfort Max, Shamir Autograph 3, or our house brand Heritage Ultimate & Xtreme designs, you’re giving your patients the best shot at instant adaptation and lasting visual comfort.
These advanced, compensated lenses deliver broader, more natural vision in all three focal areas, while minimizing the need for head movement. Your patients will notice sharper visuals and an overall boost in comfort.
Every lens brand brings its own technology to the table, each tuned for different visual demands. Building a broad lens knowledge base will let you select the perfect option for each patient’s needs. For instance, if someone struggles with dim lighting, the new Varilux® Physio® extensee™ with AI Twinning & Pupilizer™ technology is a fantastic choice, designed specifically to enhance sharpness in low-light settings. With these new advanced lens designs it's also recommended not to change the manufacturers recommended base curve to help maximize the patient's comfort while wearing them.
While one lens can serve the majority, choosing tailored designs for specific challenges will help you dramatically reduce non-adapts and the need for costly remakes.
Ensure Proper Fit
For best results, we recommend carefully laying out the lenses before dispensing and marking the fitting cross. During your initial fitting, make sure the fitting cross lines up perfectly over the pupil—if it’s a bit off, a quick frame adjustment will do the trick.
Modern designs allow a little leeway—just a millimeter or two—but getting it as close as possible ensures top-tier performance. And don’t forget to check for proper pantoscopic tilt: angling the bottom of the frame in toward the cheek at around 8–12 degrees adds comfort, especially in the reading zone.
Manage Expectations
Even with today’s top-tier digital lens designs, it’s completely normal for your patients to need a bit of time to adjust. Adaptation periods aren’t just for first-time wearers—they’re worth mentioning anytime there’s a change in design, prescription, or even just a new frame. Sometimes, something as small as a change in seg height can give the lenses a whole new feel and prompt a short adjustment window.
When making a design switch or dealing with a significant Rx change, it often helps to send patients home with their old lenses so they can start fresh with their new pair in the morning. Encourage your patients to give their new lenses a fair try, wearing them for 24–48 hours without switching back and forth—this makes a big difference in the adaptation process.
At the end of the day, success comes down to using a quality progressive lens design tailored to your patient’s visual needs and pairing it with a truly proper frame fit. Spending those extra few minutes at the start—finding the right fit and sharing tips for a smooth transition—will help prevent headaches later, saving you, your lab, and your patients plenty of time and remakes. A little extra care upfront pays off big in the end!
