The short answer: progressive lenses give you clear vision far away, at arm’s length and up close in one lens, with no visible line. They suit most people from their 40s who need help with reading as well as distance. The right design depends on how you use your eyes, your prescription and your frame, and a SPINEL practitioner measures and fits every pair.
01What progressive lenses are
A progressive lens changes power smoothly from top to bottom: the upper part for distance, the middle for intermediate distances such as a computer screen or a car dashboard, and the lower part for reading. The narrow path between them is called the corridor. Towards the edges there are softer areas; the lens design decides how wide and stable the clear zones are.
02Progressive, bifocal or single vision?
| Single vision | Bifocal | Progressive | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distances corrected | One (far or near) | Two (far and near) | All (far, intermediate, near) |
| Visible line | No | Yes | No |
| Screens and dashboards | Only if that is the one distance | Often blurry | Yes, through the middle zone |
| Best for | One vision need, any age | Simple far and near needs | Anyone who needs help at more than one distance |
SPINEL single vision lenses use an aspheric surface: slimmer, flatter and lighter than a regular lens, with clearer edges.
03Choosing a SPINEL design
| Design | Best for | Distance / intermediate / reading | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balance View | Active people moving between indoors and outdoors | 5 / 5 / 5 | Widest corridor in the range; anti-glare; 100% UV absorbency |
| Flexi Focus | Any frame size; first-time wearers; screen, reading and distance | 5 / 4 / 4 | Soft design: flatter, thinner, lighter, easy to adapt to |
| Innosight | Near and far used equally; shallower frames | 3 / 4 / 5 | 13.0 mm corridor; 17.0 mm minimum fitting height |
| PC Pro | Impact resistance and light weight; rimless frames; active lives | 5 / 4 / 3 | Polycarbonate; wider field of view |
Ratings are SPINEL’s own scores out of 5. Your practitioner confirms the design from your prescription, measurements and the way you work.
04Frames for progressives
- The frame needs enough depth below your pupil for the reading zone. For shallower frames, Innosight needs a minimum fitting height of 17.0 mm.
- A stable, adjustable fit keeps the corridor in front of your eyes; frames that slide down the nose make progressives harder to use.
- You can buy a Sterling frame online and have SPINEL progressive lenses fitted to it.
05Getting used to progressives
Most people adapt within a few days to two weeks. It helps to:
- Wear them full time from day one rather than switching between pairs.
- Turn your head towards what you want to see, rather than only your eyes.
- Lower your gaze, not your head, to read.
- Take stairs and kerbs carefully for the first days, looking down through the upper part of the lens.
If things still feel wrong after two weeks, go back to the practitioner who fitted them: the fit or measurements may need adjusting.
06Coatings
SPINEL progressive designs come with their coatings built in, not as extras:
- Anti-glare (Balance View): reduces reflections, useful for night driving and screens.
- Hard Multi Coat (Flexi Focus, Innosight): scratch resistance with anti-reflection.
- Super Hydrophobic (all four): water and smudges bead off, so lenses stay cleaner.
- Double Side (all four): treatment on both surfaces of the lens.
07What affects the price
Progressive lens prices depend on the design, the lens material and index, your prescription, the coatings and the frame. Because SPINEL lenses are made to your prescription, your practitioner quotes the exact price before production. Ask for a quote.
08How to order
- Have a current prescription (we recommend one issued in the last 12 months).
- Choose a frame, from SPINEL or one that suits progressives.
- A SPINEL practitioner takes your measurements and recommends a design.
- Your lenses are made to order, then fitted, adjusted and verified before handover.
Lenses carry a 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Made-to-order lenses can be returned only for a manufacturing defect or if they do not match the prescription ordered. This guide explains how lenses work; it is not medical advice and does not replace an eye examination.
09Read next
FAQQuick answers
Who needs progressive lenses?
People who need help at more than one distance, typically from their 40s when reading up close gets harder, and who want one pair without a visible bifocal line.
Are progressive lenses better than bifocals?
Progressives have no visible line and add an intermediate zone for screens and dashboards, which bifocals lack. Bifocals give larger, fixed reading areas, which some people prefer.
Can I use progressive lenses for computer work?
Yes, through the middle zone. Flexi Focus is designed for comfortable vision at the computer, reading range and distance.
How long does it take to adapt to progressive lenses?
Usually a few days to two weeks with full-time wear. See your practitioner if it still feels wrong after that.