The Ultimate Progressive Lens Starter Kit by Greenwich Social Club

Progressive lenses are one of the smartest upgrades you can make to your eyewear. Progressives can be a huge change if you weren’t wearing glasses or if you were a single vision user before, and your eyes need time to adapt. This process can normally take up to two weeks and the more consistently you wear your glasses, the quicker your brain will adapt to this change.

If you were previously already a progressive wearer, but you’ve gotten a new prescription, it may feel like starting over again too. Even a small prescription change can mean that your brain needs to adapt from the start again. 

Like any great upgrade, this recalibration period can be tricky. We’re here to help make your transition simple and stress free. Think about it as your onboarding to sharper living.

Give your eyes time to adapt

Your brain may be learning a new system, i.e. three different zones: near, intermediate and distance. Even if your brain knew these zones previously, a new prescription can mean that these zones have slightly changed.

Most people can adjust within 3-7 days, although for some, it can take up to 2 weeks. This is normal!

The golden rule is to wear your progressives as much as possible as you can safely. Obviously, if they don’t feel quite right, swap out your lenses for activities where your health could be at risk such as driving, until you feel ready. This is like switching between old shoes: you need to break in your new ones by resisting the urge to switch to an old pair!

Point your nose where you want to look

This is the biggest shift for new wearers.

Progressive lenses are different than single visions - rather than “rolling” your eyes around your lenses, you will need to point your nose or turn your head at what you want to see, straight on as possible. Over time, it’ll feel less weird and become an automatic motion.

Pro tip: centre what you want to look at in line with your nose. Use your whole head to do so as much as possible. 

Use the right lens zone for your needs

In a progressive lens, each zone has an important role to play.

• Top: crisp distance vision - walking, driving, everyday movement.
• Middle: the transition zone - screens, menus, anything at arm’s length.
• Bottom: reading and close-up work - phone, books, fine detail.

If something feels blurred, you’re probably in the wrong zone.

Lift or lower your chin a touch to find the perfect spot. You’ll get the hang of it!

Where you look matters, especially on stairs!

Everyone does this at least once: look down a flight of stairs through the reading zone and wonder why it feels weird.

For stairs, pavements and uneven ground, use the top of your lens by tilting your chin slightly down and look through the top. This makes everything safer, stabler and clearer.

Keep screens below eye level

Screens play a huge role in everyone’s day. On laptops and monitors position your screen so you naturally use your middle zone, not the reading zone. 

This will remove any potential neck strain and keeps vision sharp during long sessions.

If you prefer not to do this, ask your optometrist to prescribe you specific reading glasses to assist with this.

Feeling like you’re swimming? It’s common and it’ll fade

The small “soft focus” in your peripheral vision, often referred to as “swim” is completely normal. 

Once your brain maps out the lens, it’ll fade. This usually goes within that first 3-7 day period and once it does, confidence will come quickly.

Clean lens = clear experience

Sometimes a blur can actually be a finger smudge. While your lenses are coated to account for everyday wear, the lenses will wear down naturally over time with use. Use your GSC microfibre cloth with a little water. 

Avoid cleaning with paper towels (they can scratch) or shirt hems (they can smear). 

Routine care keeps your optics crisp and adds to the ritual of great eyewear.

Trust the process

Progressive lenses are engineered for modern life but it will likely take your eyes and brain a few days to trust them. 

Stick with it. Wear them consistently. Let your brain settle into sharper focus.

Your world is about to look effortlessly clearer!

Remember, we’re here for you

If something feels off, and you’re experiencing strong symptoms of discomfort, please reach out to us. We’ll offer you options to make it right to try to get you to the optimal eyesight. 

Our Customer Happiness team are available here.