posted
This question is directed toward anybody out there in bifocaland. All opinions welcome pro or con. Which do you prefer? Lined, specific focal-point trifocals or the no-line/progressive lenses? I must choose one soon but thought I'd ask here first. There must be someone out there with an opinion. At this point cost is not an issue as either one could be considered expensive with all the extras. (like Hi-index & AR coating)
Supposedly everyone is raving about the progressive lenses but the field of view is somewhat limited. It seems that there are areas to the sides which are blurry & if you have to see sideways you must turn your head. The people that wear them say you'll get used to it. I don't know about that. I'm still trying to accept that I'm gonna lose the bottom part of normal vision (blocked by the trifocal).
The trifocals have the normal far vision on most of the lense except for the area ground into it for the closer ranges. The area on either side is clear as it normally would be for far vision. The trifocal has 2 ranges; real close for reading and such & intermediate for stuff at arms length like working at a computer or painting or weeding. But I can't get a definite answer as to what size the intermediate field is in focus. Like, is the whole monitor screen in focus or not? Actually I could do what I do now by changing focus away from the eyes if I had to.
Now there's a new progressive lense out with a better field of view. It's the most expensive obviously but supposed to eliminate most of the side blur of the regular progressives. It's also supposed to have a wider view for the progressive closer ranges. Those who I've talked to that wear them say they are very pleased with them & prefer them over lined glasses. But they don't do the kind of work we do like weeding vinyl or hand lettering where it would be nice to actually see the brush hit the surface where it's supposed to.
So if anyone has an opinion I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
-------------------- Bill Cosharek Bill Cosharek Signs N.Huntingdon,Pa
bcosharek@juno.com Posts: 704 | From: N.Huntingdon, Pa, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
Bill, if you are near sighted and wearing glasses for distance, then plain old bifocals are very comfortable. You tend to point your head where you are looking, and the bifocal part tends to be out of the way. I have a large bifocal element because I hate reading through a small bottom lens.
Someone else will have to tell you about farsighted and wearing glasses to see near things. I have read that it is very different.
As a result of cataract surgery on one eye, I am now near sighted in one eye and far sighted in the other. The mind does slam the information together somehow, and I can now get around very well without glasses. I still prefer the extra crispness provided by glasses.
-------------------- Victor Georgiou Danville, CA , USA Posts: 1746 | From: Danville, CA , USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Bill I tried the trifocals once (at the Dr's office) and decided it wasn't for me.
I wear bifocles but with a few custom things I've learned to do over the years.
If you leave it to the optomitrist he will "fit" you with glasses that make Book print visible at about 14 to 16 inches from your face...I always have them set mine so I can read at arms length...that way I can hand letter without "leaning in to see what I'm doing, it also makes using power tools and table saws very safe to use and it is really nice when I'm on the computer because I can read everything with out having my head 16 " from the screen.
The other thing I do is have the bifocal line slightly higher than normal...that helps get rid of the "raging pig syndrome" in other words you aren't yanking your head up and down to use the second (long distance lense)then whipping your head back to see out of the "close up lense"it really makes them comfortable to wear. (and it will save your neck)
You might want to ask about these things when you see your doctor ...but it will take a few times wearing glasses to really decide whats best for you.
I am however thinking about the graduated lenses but so far not to convinced they are for me.
At one time I wore contacts and loved them but my eyes were to dry and they killed me all the ime so I gave them up...but I'd do it again if I could beat the "dry eye " problem.
[ November 20, 2002, 12:53 AM: Message edited by: Monte Jumper ]
-------------------- "Werks fer me...it'll werk fer you"
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iam near sighted....have been since 7-8 years old. so wearin glasses has been the norm. as for the bifocals, well i got the plain old cheap ones you can see them in my lenses. only advantage i think with the no line ones is your tryin to fake that you dont have bifocals. now....only problem i got...is the bifocal, when i am painting...i tend to remove the glasses, i can see better up to 2 feet without em then with em. when i work on the computer..i have a pair of glasses.....OF ONLY THE BIFOCAL lense. this way i can look down at the keyboard, and just look up at the screen instead of craning my neck to use the bifocal to see the monitor.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hate trifocals! Not overly in love with bifocals either!
I use the "granny glasses" (1/2 heighth) and just look over the top for normal distance and glance down for close up (your arms get too short with age)! For the computer, I use a different set, and they are full size.
That's what works for me!
-------------------- Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA
(714) 521-4810
si.allen on Skype
siallen@dslextreme.com
"SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
Never mess with your profile while in a drunken stupor!!!
Brushasaurus on Chat Posts: 8831 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Bill, I wear no-line bifocals. I also have a pair of large lens reading glasses for use at the computer or overhead work. Like Monte, I had my optometrist fit them to see at arms length. I hate changing glasses X times a day as I can't walk around too long with the working ones on (headache) they are for close distances. But this has so far been the best solution for my lifestyle.
posted
I was just laughing as I remembered Bill Cosby doing a bit about coming out of the optometrist office with his new trifocals. This was on a video that I once rented. Tri it, you'll like it.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6825 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I wear the graduated tri focals. They work great ...once you get used to them. Turning your head a little becomes second nature. There is a bit of a blur at the outer edges but it's such a great angle you'd be turning you head anyway without glasses. The first time you wear them you think you are gonna break your neck, walking is a trip...literally. I found after getting a couple of pairs it really pays to work with the doctor and explain just what you do in your work. The way they ground them at first made them hard to use. I tend to get right up on things when I hand letter and stripe. I have them adjusted now so they are focused at the proper lengths for striping, working at the computer, reading etc. The doctors are really great about working with you to fine tune them, BUT you have to speak up. The only time mine give me problems is working under the hood of a car where you've got your head down and you end up looking throught the top of the glasses. I eneded up solving that problem by buying a cheap pair of "cheaters" at the drug store and don them when playing mechanic.
[ November 22, 2002, 11:13 AM: Message edited by: George Perkins ]
-------------------- George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@bigriver.net
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
posted
I tryed out the progressive lenses.........couldnt get used to em I have "3 speeders" right now with lines and they work nice...ya gotta learn how to bob yer head to find the correct window. also they make a special contractors lens.....bi it has a stronger window on the bottom as do most bifocals..but then they slip an additional stronger window at the top....so if you look up a lot ..you dont need to tip yer head...ya jess look thru the top window. I like my tri focals alright........except I cant shoot a gun with a scope with em.... take a look at the new flex frames too........nice n light.........un breakable............
posted
Thanks All - for those informative responses. I've already printed them out & will take them with me when I go for an appointment.
I've pretty much decided on the ultra-high index progressives instead of the lined trifocals. I only had 1 office suggest them but probably because they didn't offer the higher index lenses. These are the ones which have clearer vision in the peripheral zones. I'm guessing its because the thinner lense creates less distortion. Everyone else recommends that which I just described & believe my prescription will be within the limits.
Monte - Thanks for reminding me about power tool safety. I almost forgot how important that is. Glasses only slide so far down the nose when using a jigsaw & tend to fall off which aint good. And goggles put the glasses back up where they're supposed to be but blur vision slightly.
OP - I guess I'll have to make sure I avoid that syndrome Monte mentioned. It would probably make me look really stupid especially without the lines for an excuse.
Near-sighted, Vic. Since most peoples' lenses aren't the same strength in both eyes anyway, do you have 1 thinner that the other or have you compensated with high index?
To the progressive wearers, thanks for the encouragement. Michael, I just wonder how the flex frames can be adjusted (if need be) since they can be mangled so much without damage.
I'll just have to face the facts that one pair wont work for all situations. But the progressives should be good for all-around most everything but in the intermediate zone; which depending on prescription strength, will shrink it somewhat. Wont know til I try em - right?
Spent a lot of time online researching the progressive lenses. Checked with 3 lense manufacturers (Essilor - Sola - Hoya) for most anything I could understand & be helpful. One company had recommended an intermediate to close-up progressive with large intermediate on top & large close-up below for better viewing in those ranges. For those who don't know what a progressive (or no-line) lens does, its supposed to provide a continuous focus between 2 focal points of different powers. This means you should be able to focus on close-up, intermediate & everywhere in between; and be comfortable with it. Upon further search found that Essilor, maker of Varilux (proclaimed to be most often selected), doesn't even have the ultrahigh index (1.71 refractive index) lens - yet anyway. But who knows how thin & strong future lenses will be. Whatever I get will probably be considered obsolete in a few years.
So now I'm back to the hard part. Finding frames for these lenses which have specific minimum requirements in order to function properly. The last office I was in was the most helpful & that's where I'll go. My digital camera is going with me this time. Snap a few pics wearing different frames & make a decision from them. I tried some of those online sites, but they weren't much help. They want too much info before virtually trying on frames.
Thanks Again!
-------------------- Bill Cosharek Bill Cosharek Signs N.Huntingdon,Pa
bcosharek@juno.com Posts: 704 | From: N.Huntingdon, Pa, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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