bifocals

[Selkie]

Bifocals (line, no line) and "regular" progressives didn't work for me. One problem was the size of my lenses, I think. My eyes don't work well as a team, either, which even complicates matters. I made do with distance glasses and reading glasses, the latter of which I frankly was too lazy to bother with unless I was settling down w/a book.

After a year of taking off my glasses to read and then, to see the computer, I realized that I either HAD to adapt or switch between three pairs of specs (distance, computer, and reading). If I couldn't be bothered to switch between two, how was I going to deal with THREE? Anyway, my doctor gave me "office" progressive lenses---they have a larger middle distance area and are good for regular computer users. I got new frames with larger lenses, too. Quite to my surprise, I adjusted pretty quickly. It's hard to find the smaller reading portion of the lenses. Next time, I might go for even bigger lenses so there is a more generous reading segment.

Be prepared, progressive lenses are expensive.

I know people who can't adapt to them and make due with multiple pairs of glasses. Best of luck to you, Red.....

[Bike Chick]

Red, I wore my first bifocals in jr. high and the only issue I remember was walking up and down stairs but I got used to it after a couple weeks.

I had lasik surgery 5 years ago (one of the best things I've ever done) and my reading vision deteriorated quickly afterward. I wear cheaters on the end of my nose like Oak does and even keep a pair in my bike bag. There's no way I could change a tire without my reading glasses.

[malkin]

After a few years in bifocals, last spring I tried bifocal contacts.

I was thinking they'd be good for cycling but they're not really; the air/wind is kinda drying, so for long rides I just wear corrected sunglasses. If I'm just riding to the store I'll wear contacts and regular sunglasses--I love being able to see when I shop! I still keep a cheepie pair of readers in my trunk bag though.

I was thinking that I'd stick to my glasses at work but I almost always wear contacts to work now. My contacts give better peripheral awareness, and are less interesting to grabby little hands. And when I get smacked in the head contacts don't fly across the room or break.

So, my expectations were wrong, but I'm still a satisfied customer.

I think the way they work is that both lenses correct both near and far, but the dominant eye one has more emphasis on far vision and the other eye has more emph. on near. It took a couple tries to get the prescription right.

The brand of contacts I have are also approved to treat dry eye, which I don't have, but I do live in a very dry climate, so that's a bit of a bonus.

Is my corrected vision perfect? No, pretty far from what it was when I was a kid. Nevermind; it's good enough for all normal purposes.

[mumbles]

I have progressive no line bifocals and they are fine. However the pair I bought most recently was the first pair that I liked from the moment I put them on. Several times before I sent the lenses back to be redone after the people at the store could not seem to get them adjusted right. Now I suspect that there was nothing wrong with the lenses, it seems to have more to do with having someone that knows how to adjust them properly.