I've been using progressive lenses for about 10 years. I concur with Kenny regarding the overhead panel, but I'm used to it. I explained to the doc that I needed to focus on four distances: the approach chart, the instrument panel, the first officer's instrument panel, and the runway at decision height. I need correction for all four.
The progressives do fine. I don't even think about them anymore. As far as peripheral vision, I've never noticed an issue. I do know that at altitude on a clear day, if I move my eyes too quickly to the left, the floater in my left eye does one hell of a good imitation of a large jet barely passing over the left wing at a supersonic closure rate...and in the hotel, the floater in my right eye has been known to create the impression of a large spider crawling across the sheet. Both very momentary illusions, but useful for clearing one's arteries nonetheless!