Everything You Need to Know about Progressive Lenses for Pilots

Progressive glasses, also known as varifocals, are an optometric marvel. They offer a three-pronged vision, and enable the wearer to clearly see distant, near, and intermediate objects seamlessly via a single lens. Progressive lenses have an inconspicuous look, without any bifurcating line on the lens.

A large chunk of the general population above 40 years old needs progressive lenses. However, they also have usage and importance in specialised professions. Pilots, whether they are professional or amateurs, need spectacles to see clearly.

Needless to say, the demand and tenuous profession of pilots mandate that they wear spectacles that facilitate excellent vision, both at distance and close range. This is no easy feat, as visibility and lighting conditions above the clouds are extreme as well as erratic. In such a context, progressive lenses for pilots come to the rescue.

What are Progressive Lenses for Pilots?

Sooner or later, vision problems catch up with pilots, as well. There comes a time when even pilots can no longer see distant objects and those at close range with the same sharpness and acuity. For pilots, such vision deterioration can become a major problem, and even a potential hazard.

However, progressive lenses have become the tried-and-tested trajectory for combatting near and distant vision deterioration among pilots. Varifocal glasses for pilots are meticulously tailored to provide razor-sharp vision to the wearer, so that they can clearly see distant objects like towers and air traffic and nearby things, such as instrument displays in the cockpit.

What Is the Right Time to Opt for Progressive Lenses for Pilots?

Pilots who are over 40 years of age who cannot focus on near objects just with a single vision lens should consider getting progressive lens. If you observe that the distance far away is much clearer and gets incredibly lazy while adjusting your eyes on the nearby screens in the cockpit, then it is a clear signal that you should visit your trusted optometrist and discuss about progressive lenses for pilots.

High-tech varifocals will ensure that you can focus on everything inside the cockpit as well as faraway by simply tilting your head in a specific direction. On the contrary, if you are around your 40s, who has just purchased their first vision correction device for a close range, then it is most likely that your eyes can easily focus on the dashboard inside the cockpit.

As long as you can see near distances, you do not need progressive lenses at the moment. However, if your eyes feel fatigued and strained after a flight, it is best to get them tested at the earliest.

Things to Remember While Choosing Progressive Lenses for Pilots

• To begin with, the frames for varifocal glasses should be bigger than normal. They must be resized to offer proper height and ensure that the different zones aptly fit inside the glasses. The usual recommended height is 40mm, but the numbers are always subjective.
• Similarly, all-round coverage is also incredibly important. The frames of progressive lenses for pilots should include wrap-around style with curved lenses that are gently contoured around the face to mitigate distracting stray light, which would otherwise get into your eyes.
• The temples of pilot lenses should also be thin and not too far away from the head, so that the headset can function properly.
• Lastly, spectacles of pilots should also be incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods and not be tight against the head.

Things to Avoid while Buying Progressive Lenses for Pilots

While buying progressive lenses for pilots, it is best to tread the waters carefully and avoid certain things. What are they? Let us find out!

• The information that a pilot receives during their flight is highly dependable on the screens inside the cockpit. Thus, it is best to stay away from polarised progressive lenses, as they could mess with the colours on the screens.
• Secondly, the progressive lenses should also have anti-reflective coating. Cockpits have a lot of lights that could be mirrored from the back surface of the progressive lenses into the eye. Thus, when opting for varifocals, it is important to choose good-quality anti-reflective coatings.

Wrapping It Up

So, there we have it, a crisp overview of progressive lenses for pilots. The duty of flying a plane is incredibly daunting and arduous. Therefore, it is crucial that pilots are equipped with the best tools that streamline their jobs. Progressive lenses can make the lives of pilots easier, and ensure safer and more efficient flying.

At Specscart, we aim to make high-quality varifocal lenses accessible to people from all sections of the society. Besides, we also want to ensure the availability of best-in-class bespoke progressive lenses for pilots, which are customised to fit their unique needs and demands.