One of the most persistent challenges of progressive lenses has been the inherent astigmatism aberrations, which are intrinsic features in the lenses’ surface. A progressive lens always has astigmatism aberration in the periphery, which is perceived by the wearer as blurriness; it also distorts shapes so that straight lines appear twisted or curved. The latter effect may disrupt depth perception, causing a swimming sensation. 

​It’s a fact of modern society that we’re all spending more time in front of digital screens at work, home and play. While handheld devices were the dominant device a few years ago (requiring close viewing at the visual center-line), we’ve evolved our usage to encompass numerous screens simultaneously, including laptops, tablets, TVs, video gaming consoles, and more. A new term was even coined “second screening” to describe this phenomenon, where television watchers use a secondary digital device, such as a smartphone or tablet, at the same time. This multi-screen connectivity poses unique visual challenges for presbyopes.

In designing progressive lenses, it’s important to provide vision correction that simulates the way each eye naturally focuses so that we can enjoy all the benefits of natural binocular vision. In the past, progressive technologies emphasized correct focus for a range of distances only when viewing objects located on the visual midline. EquiBalance Technology expands this capability laterally across the visual field.

Today’s progressive lenses have evolved to feature a myriad of technologies designed to provide presbyopic patients with high performance and value. However, many wearers have continued to experience issues—limited viewing, eyestrain, and physical discomfort—especially with the visual challenges of a digital world.

Over the years, we’ve come to understand the challenges many patients experience when converting to progressive lenses. Earlier this year, we conducted research to determine what their (and your) biggest pain points are with these types of lenses[1]. We listened and we learned.

​It’s time: the moment of truth when your patient tries on their new progressives and you both hold your breath. They look at you, then around the room, then down at the table and move their head around. You hope for a smile, and it comes—success! When they “work” for your patient, it’s a celebration, a true awakening with high fives all around. Chances are, they’ve just slipped on a new pair of Unity® Via Progressive Lenses.

​This was a finalist in the Unity Via Victories contest. Voting ended on December 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. pacific time.

​This was a finalist in the Unity Via Victories contest. Voting ended on December 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. pacific time.

It's not common, but some victories come easy. Office Manager Charla Thrash explains how the simplicity of Unity Via Progressive Lenses have streamlined new hire training while ensuring exceptional patient satisfaction at Freestone Optometric Center in Rialto, California. 

From inception to category leader within three years, the rapid evolution of Unity Via Progressive Lenses involves a series of trials, milestones, and even a tribulation or two.  Click on a button within the interactive timeline to learn more about each stage in the journey and read accounts from key players along the way. 

​In August, we caught up with Dr. Michael Morris, a nationally acclaimed lens designer and pivotal player in the development phase of Unity Via Progressive Lenses. In the engaging conversation, Dr. Morris dished on everything from the development, wearer trials, and innovation behind Unity Via Progressives to the current state of progressive lenses to where he sees progressives going in the future. Following is the interview in its entirety. 

​A big part of getting patients to feel confident in trying progressives is getting them to understand the benefits straight away. When patients can clearly see what’s in it for them, saying “yes” becomes much easier.
 
In part two of this dispensing series, we’ll look at five surefire tips to help you successfully present the benefits of progressive lenses to patients and set them up for success. 

​When it comes to visual performance, settling for anything but the best isn’t an option. From their inception, Unity Via Progressive Lenses were designed to provide the “best” vision possible and according to the following facts, they’ve done just that.

​Much like owning a car, corrective eyewear is something a patient will need and use every day. But nothing can be more frustrating for a patient than being recommended something that falls short of solving their specific vision needs.