New progressives can take a little getting used to—but they should never feel like hard work.
If the distance is hazy, reading feels strained, or you keep tilting your head just to see clearly, a quick five-minute self-check can help you decide whether you simply need more time to adapt or whether the lenses need adjusting with your optician.
Below you’ll find recommendations on checking if your progressives are working for you, a troubleshooting guide, and advice on when to drop by an optical store for a fit-check.
Why Fit Matters with Progressive Lenses
Progressive lenses are designed to help you see clearly at all distances—far away, up close, and everything in between—all through one pair of glasses. But for them to work properly, each part of the lens needs to line up just right with your eyes and how your glasses sit on your face.
Even a small misalignment can make it hard to find a clear viewing spot. You might find yourself tilting your head, feeling eye strain, or struggling to focus. When fitted correctly, progressive lenses should provide:
Smooth and natural shifts between near, mid, and far vision
Clear, comfortable sight no matter what you're looking at
A relaxed posture without needing to adjust how you sit or move
If your lenses aren’t aligned properly, even top-quality ones can feel uncomfortable or frustrating to wear.
At-Home Progressive Lens Checklist
You don’t need special tools to check whether your lenses are working the way they should. Try these quick self-tests at home—If multiple items are true of you, it’s worth getting a professional fit check.
| Check | What You Should Experience | What to Watch For | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Looking Straight Ahead Focus on something far in the distance. |
Clear vision without needing to tilt your head. | Blurry or double vision that doesn't go away. |
| 2 | Close-Up Reading Test Hold a book or phone about 40 cm from your eyes. |
Text looks sharp with your head in a natural position. | Constantly need to tilt your head up or down to focus. |
| 3 | Computer Distance Check Look at a screen or object at arm’s length. |
Clear screen with relaxed posture. | Frequently leaning forward or lifting your chin to see clearly. |
| 4 | Side-to-Side Head Movement Slowly turn your head left and right. |
Vision remains steady—no unusual motion. | Strong wavy or distorted vision at the edges that doesn't improve. |
| 5 | Glancing Left and Right Move your eyes side-to-side without turning your head. |
Smooth shift in focus without sudden blur. | Noticeable blur or wavy distortion when glancing sideways. |
| 6 | Looking Up and Down Look up at the ceiling, then down at the floor. |
Smooth transition between viewing zones. | Abrupt blur when switching views that doesn't get better. |
| 7 | Comfort After Wearing Wear your glasses for 2–3 hours. |
No headaches, eye strain, or discomfort. | Ongoing discomfort or fatigue even after several wears. |
Getting Used to Progressives vs. When to Recheck Your Fit
It’s completely normal for your brain and eyes to need a little time to adjust to new progressive lenses.
But when does “adjustment” cross the line into “something’s wrong”?
Here’s how to tell:
Normal Adaptation Timeline
| Time After Pick-Up | What’s Normal | What’s Not |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Mild “swim,” slight headache, adjusting to head movements | Severe dizziness or nausea |
| Week 1 | Zones are easier to locate; fewer posture adjustments | Still struggling to find clear vision zones |
| Week 2 | Mostly clear vision; transitions feel smoother | Persistent blur, discomfort, or visual confusion |
| Weeks 3–4 | Full comfort and confidence with all zones | Avoiding glasses or relying on backups |
Red Flags That Call for a Check
Still searching for a reading sweet-spot after two weeks
Feeling safer without the glasses while walking
Increasing headaches or neck pain
Constantly pushing glasses up or tilting head
If any of these sound familiar, a professional re-fit is the next best step.
When to Visit Your Optician — and What They’ll Check
If your self-tests still feel “off” after 2 - 3 weeks, pop in for a free fit-check. Most problems disappear once an experienced optician fine-tunes how your glasses sit.
What your optician will check
| What we look at | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Are the lenses centred in front of each eye? | Off-centre lenses make the distance view blurry. |
| Is the reading area sitting at the right height? | Too low → you lift your chin. Too high → you drop it. |
| How do the glasses sit on your face (angle & curve)? | A small angle change can sharpen every part of your view. |
| Do the frames stay put all day? | Secure frames keep the lenses in the “sweet spot.” |
Typical in-store fixes
If something still doesn’t feel quite right, a quick in-store fit-check may be all it takes. In many cases, a few small adjustments can make a big difference in how clearly and comfortably you see.
Depending on what we find during your visit, your optician might:
Adjust the nose pads or temple arms to improve comfort and balance
Slightly change the angle of the frame to better match your natural viewing position
Take updated measurements and reorder the lenses if needed
Good to know: In many cases, small adjustments make a big difference—your optician will help you decide what’s best.
Rooted in Calgary, Focused on Your Vision
For over 15 years, we’ve proudly served the Calgary community from our long-standing location in the Britannia Shopping Plaza—helping people see clearly and feel good in their glasses.
Every member of our team is an experienced optician, trained to ensure your lenses are not only accurate, but truly comfortable to wear. We take the time to understand your vision needs, your lifestyle, and how your frames fit your face—because precision matters, but so does how you feel wearing them.
Ready for Crystal-Clear Vision?
Don’t settle for “good enough” when it comes to your sight. Use our self-check list today— and if anything feels off, our expert team is ready to help you fine-tune your vision for everyday brilliance.
