bifocals

[salsabike]

I've had no-line bifocals for years. Had no problem at all adjusting to them and have no problem with them now--for me, they work great.

[Laterider21958]

I've had progressive lenses for about 5 years (2 different prescriptions using the same frames during that time) and have never really been able to get on with them. I found the area for close reading was very hard to pin point and made following a line of writing (as in the newspaper) very tedious. I resorted to the cheapie half sized lens magnifying glasses the best option for me. I wear them low on my nose and then look over them for distance viewing. Thankfully at this stage I don't have any trouble while riding or driving without glasses.

As was mentioned previously, not all frames are suitable for progressive lenses. Previously my frames were just deep enough, but this time around I think I'll have to choose something deeper. I didn't know that you could request larger reading areas etc. so will discuss this before finally deciding on a frame. It's so hard to choose frames as it is. They're so expensive and you want to make sure that you select a style that compliments your face, and the frame colour let alone having to consider the bifocal/reading/distance/progressive lens part of it all! To add to it all there's the options of scratch resistant coating, self tinting and non-reflection coating! No wonder I keep putting off making the appointment.

[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.

[Irulan]

I have two sets of bifocals. I got them about 3 months ago and I am sorry I waited.

One set is driving/reading and the other is computer/close for the work I do. This second set is what OP might like, a set specifically for your work conditions.

[Fontinalis]

I have had multi focals (progressive, no lines) for many years.
I learned a few things about them as I have had many different pairs, changing every three years or so.

It takes a very very good optician to make multi focals. Don't skimp on paying the price. Not all frames, lenses, will do. They redid a pair three times before getting it right, at their cost. This is a place very comited to outfit you perfectly.

Sometimes the angle of the pane is wrong. Sometime the distance between your eye and the pane is wrong. Sometime the curvature is wrong. Many many variables in that equation, beside those multi focal prescriptions themselves.

So, go for a reputable optician/shop. And one that puts it in writing that you have to be satisfied or your money back. Not just a credit note for a different set of eyewears.

Demand that is suits/fits perfectly and works for YOU. Demand 100% satisfaction. That shop gave me 60 days, each time, or money back.

Also, don't expect the multi focals to feel natural on day one. Some people will take as much as a couple of weeks to get accustomed. Actually, its not your eyes, its your brain, that has to learn to 'process' what your eyes are seeing, and 'how' to see with those multifocals. And when that works out, it is HEAVEN. I would not go back to wearing many pairs of glasses. Drives me NUTS.

I have multifocals in my regular (clear) glasses, and I have Oakley sun glasses, curved, wrapping around glasses for riding my bike and for driving, or just being outdoor on a sunny day.

I work at a computer most of the time. I drive with them. I ride with them. And all three distances (far, near, and in between) they work 100%.

(I am both presbite and hypermetroppe.)

Good luck in finding the perfect glasses for you. It is a pain to wear glasses. So, at least find good ones, ones that work, that are comfortable.

[amartha]

With my extreme farsightedness, I needed bifocal cycling sunglasses. Bolle SOS sun-shields work for me with Rx inserts. My optician fills them. I need distance and close vision for reading cue sheets. I've been using progressive lenses for 20 years. To find cycling sunglasses, I had to research the prescription limits for each design in Rx adapters.

[Catrin]

Does the combination of contacts and cycling sunglasses work if the sunglasses are a "wrap-around" style that helps to keep wind out of the eyes? My glasses are so expensive that I am balking at paying double to get a pair of prescription cycling sunglasses - and I NEED that bi-focal. I've been experimenting with multi-focal contacts that correct for my astigmatism.

[bmccasland]

I wear hard (semi-rigid) contacts, with non-Rx wrap-around sunglasses for riding (and airboating ). I tuck my readers in their hard case in my jersey pocket for the "just in case" factor. Although I can change a tire without them.

[OakLeaf]

Does the combination of contacts and cycling sunglasses work if the sunglasses are a "wrap-around" style that helps to keep wind out of the eyes?

Works best that way. You get to keep your peripheral vision and your correction.

I carry one of those credit-card-sized magnifiers in a jersey pocket. Doesn't work as well as readers, but it's way easier to carry, and I don't need it that often on the bici. Mainly to read menus if we stop for a meal.

[redrhodie]

OP here, with a strange update to my situation. For the past couple of weeks, I haven't had to remove my glasses to see up-close. The main thing that changed was I stopped sleeping with a blindfold. After a couple of nights without it, I realized I hadn't been taking my glasses off to solder at work.

I also started doing some eye exercises that I remembered from a yoga class. I'm not sure if either of these things this is what's helping my vision, but my eyes have also been less dry and itchy. My vision isn't as good as it was 6 months ago, but it's better than when I started this thread, and some days are better than others. Maybe this is just the way it happens? From your experiences, were there good and bad days, or was it a steady progression into vision loss?

There's a yoga studio nearby that is offering a holistic eye class in April, which I'm going to take. It can't hurt to learn more about my eyes, and maybe I'll be able to slow this down for a bit longer.