| bi- focals
Posted: 4/1/2007 3:43:20 AM | shoot- my original profession was a NYS licensed optician.
At the time I was practicing ( & probably still so today) certain RX's are NOT conducive to "invisible" or "progressive" bifocals. That would include a good amount of astigmatism, & anyone who isn't mildy/moderately nearsighted.
Many optical places, particularly chain stores, push PRODUCTS on people to make more of a profit. They don't care if it is NOT the best thing for you. Stupid philosophy. Like you are not gonna know if you can see or not, get dizzy, headaches, etc.
If the measurements are not done properly, the whole thing can be OFF. Frame selection is very important too. Then you have to retrain how you hold your head & move your eyes to USE the bifocals properly. Your occupation & hobbies also should factor into your selection of style of bifocal.
It bothers me to read these posts when they talk about ill fitting eyewear. Opticians & Optometrists are LICENSED & can be REPORTED to state licensing bureaus. I went to a special school for 2 years & had to learn alot & pass an intensive 3 day exam that was written & practical to get my license. Then I read about THIS...
#1- make sure you go to a reputable place that has licensed professionals.
#2- Do they ask you about your occupations, hobbies & how you use your eyes?
#3- a good Optical place won't merely push expensive designer frames on you. They will make sure the bridge fits your nose type properly, that the temples are long enough, & that the frame/lens area/size is appropriate for a bifocal.
#4- they will take measurements w/ the frame on your face & account for the fact that ONCE THE LENS is in the frame, it will tend to sit a few mm. lower, plus perspiration & natural skin oils tend to make the frames slide down.
#5- a good optical place will make sure that your eye needs are being met, not their desire to push PRODUCTS on you.
#6- getting the eye surgery such as lasik & then having just reading glasses over is another solution.
Now I remember why I stopped working in the field, it used to be a profession, now it seems like a job | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/1/2007 3:50:30 AM | ya472, what you say is so true. I have been wearing glasses since age 5, can't wear contacts and not a candidate for any of the corrective surgeries. Long ago I learned the mass retail optical stores are nowhere as competant as the smaller independant ones. Even those you have to watch closely.
If you get a new pair of glasses or contacts and can't see properly, don't stop nagging them, there are many factors which can cause a problem. From the optician to the machinery calibration, factory starting grind and machine operator.
If they can't provide you with satisfaction, try and force them into a refund. Then go somewhere else. | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/1/2007 2:48:55 PM | First pair I damn near killed myself when I stepped off the curb outside the Dr.'s office.
I've been through the cheap set trying to "save' money thing. Took them back numerous times only to hear them swear there was nothing wrong with the glasses. Finally went to a higher priced place and asked "What's wrong with these?" - they had the line in the wrong place on one lens. Opted for their brand and all was fine again. Apparently only a slight difference in the placement makes a huge difference in how they perform.
Prescription has changed again and this time I tried the single distance - two sets of glasses thing. Pain in the ass switching (driving to trying to read a map) but I haven't gotten $400 worth of aggravated yet. Only problem is so far that I find I will need another pair for computer use - the reading glass set doesn't work for it. Have tried numerous of the 10 dollar "readers" and none of them work.
Curious thing is I sat down at a computer at the eyeglass place and "tried" it. Worked fine there - but, as someone has said - my setup must be at a different distance than that one was.
It's hell to be old | |
|
zomby
|
Joined: 3/29/2007
Msg: 29 | |
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/2/2007 11:54:50 AM | I've tried progressive and just hated them. I have a touch of vertigo and the distortion is a bit too much. I've opted to get a second set of glasses to match the focal range I need at work. Now I've got a set for distance vision and another that are in focus 16 to 36 inches.
JG
the differnce between pornography and erotica is porn is in focus | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/2/2007 9:17:05 PM | Well I have been wearing unlined bi-focals bor about 6 yrs. I have been wearing glasses since the age of2.
It took me 3 months to get used to the bi-focals, till my eyes trained themselves where to look, depending on what I wanted to see. I have no problems with them now, and certainly helps when trying to read labels.
Anyone noticed that drug instructions, like on an aspirin bottle, are in the smallest print? Wouldn't you think that for something like drugs, they'd make the instructions in larger print, or am I being too logical here?  | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/3/2007 6:25:51 AM | I have had bifocals since I was 19 (will be 44 this year) and was sooooooooo happy when the no-lines came out!  | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/4/2007 7:42:17 PM | returned them today and went back to single focus. The distortion and bluriness in the transitions made motorcycling deadly. The petite near focus area wasn't strong enough to read instruments. The "fisheye " made judging a straight line immpossible.
I can put up with raising my glasses to read a book. | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/5/2007 7:37:19 AM | I used to wear contact lenses, and when I got to the bi-focal stage, I couldn't adapt to bi-focal contacts and did the one eye for distance, one eye for close up thing instead. I originally had bi-focals with lines and I could never adjust to them when I wore them, but I was fine with the progressives.
I had cataract surgery last year (I seem to be ahead of the curve on ALL the bad stuff older folk get!), and my doctor implanted lenses in my eyes - I don't need contacts OR glasses anymore other than once in a while for certain kinds of small print, and then I just use off the rack reading glasses from the Dollar Store!
MickChick | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/5/2007 9:01:08 AM | | Well, I'n nearsighted. I got bifocals a few years ago. The only time they're handy is while driving and I have to glance at written directions or a map. Otherwise I have to take my glasses off to read or sit in front of the PC or do my model building hobby. Glasses are fro TV and driving. The lower part of my bifocals are not corrective. So reading is unconfortable with them on. Driving is the best use for me. But if your eyes are different from mine (which I'm sure they are) then you may need them all the time. | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/5/2007 9:09:25 AM | | Since getting bifocals I have noticed that I find it more difficult to reverse my vehicle. I thought it was just me, until I was guiding a friend into a difficult spot that they needed to reverse into. After several tries to reverse correctly into the spot, he took his bifocals off in disgust, and without them, had no problem reversing. | |
|
zomby
|
Joined: 3/29/2007
Msg: 36 | |
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/5/2007 11:29:59 AM | Oh I like the one eye for close and the other for distance. But you need glasses that you can turn upside down to give each eye a change view.
JG | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/5/2007 2:19:53 PM | | just want to say thanks for this thread...very informative for a person like me that's still too vain to admit it's getting to be about that time...i'm like the one guy that is forever taking his glasses on and off, i can read without glasses but cant watch a movie without them...thanks again folks | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/5/2007 8:52:47 PM | | hate to admit it - need them also. wait a minute where did that keyboard go. the monitor the mouse it use to be on this damn desk. | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/5/2007 9:11:02 PM | | I got my first pair of bi's 8 years ago. Tried the progressives--ugh! I couldn't focus on what area was for reading and one for far. (am VERY myopic with astigmatism!) Ever try and see things with gold squares jumping up and down??? That was with the no-line lenses. So--next pair 2 yrs later I wore the lines. Love them!! I have been getting bi's with lines ever since. Hehehe--tri's should be fun! So far (pardon the pun) I don't need 'em. I have the sneaky feeling tri's will be in my future soon! | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/6/2007 9:04:36 AM | Bi-focals?
Did you know that many people who go to an optician are going to the wrong person? An optician will try and sting you for a new set of glasses or lenses whenever they can. One of the stings are "you need bi-focals".
A visit to the doctor for some eye drops will dramaticaly improve your vision, especially for those who suffer fron type 2 diabetes. Excess sugar temporarily affects the vision and eyedrops will clear this up.
Most opticians will try and sell glasses or lenses to who ever they can who have not got 20 x 20 vision. In many cases glasses or lenses aren't needed and this includes an "upgrade" to bi-focals.
Consult your doctor first. He may have an easier and and in the long run a cheaper solution for you.
Nooooo | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/6/2007 9:20:34 PM | | I noticed I was having to take my glasses off to read fine print, especially in poor light, before I hit 40. I started with progressives, but after a while I noticed I had to go right to the top of the frame to see things in the distance sharply, and right to the bottom for near stuff. As an experiment I got a pair of lined bifocals as well, and found those worked better. So, when I got a stronger reading add, I went with the lines, and haven't regretted it. Eventually I noticed that neither near nor far in bifocals were really good for the computer, so I've got trifocals now. 3-speed glasses, like the 3-speed transmission in my truck. | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/19/2007 12:40:29 PM | | I have been wearing bi-focals for about 4 years now....but I really miss my contacts....but I also have a bad astigmistism (sp)....is there another way? when I take my glasses off I can not read anything....lol....before I was nearsighted w/astigmistism now I seem much worse...lol | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/19/2007 12:52:59 PM | | My best friend just got bi focal contacts and she is thrilled. She is also quite a bit under 45. | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/19/2007 2:01:55 PM | | Now that I have bi-focals, I can read the fine print. Oh,oh...ignorance is no longer an excuse. | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/19/2007 4:14:10 PM | | If I have my contacts in and try to read, say a menu, you'll have to hold it up across the room for me to read. If I have my glasses on then I just take em off to read fine print or up close. I would hate to hurt myself trying to focus on a curb drop while running with bi's on...I cant see walking around with a bicycle helmet and pads on just cause I got em...hard to explain and well would take just too much time...now! where are my glasses... | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/21/2007 9:47:40 AM | | I'm just glad that I can see...glasses are wonderful...I like people that have glasses. I like Bald men. I like freckles. I like progressive lens. I like people that use tools...very smart people use and love tools. Tuka | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/21/2007 10:12:35 AM | I have just started to need glasses at work and I too go to dollar tree for the generic reading glasses, now I can see to read my calipers and bar mic, but can not see the forklifts!!! LOL
 | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/21/2007 2:19:40 PM | Didn't work for me at all - I couldn't drive with them, every time I turned my head I lost vision..!
I now have :
reading glasses (to use if I'm reading of course..)
reading + mid-vision bifocals (to use when I'm working on my PC and need to read/write too..)
long distance + mid vision bifocals (to use when I'm driving so I can see distance and see the dashboard..)
On sunny days I'm blinded by the light ...
In the dark I'm dazzled by glare from headlights, streetlights, etc. - so can't drive..!!
Apart from all the above examples I don't need glasses at all... I can see perfectly well.
Ouma x | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/22/2007 5:56:19 PM | I went through an extensive interview to determine the right type of bi-focals would be best for me. I'm near-sighted, did a lot of driving, did data-entry and also read computer print-outs.
I'm on my second set (with the lines) and still wear them only for walking and driving. The minute I get home or get to work the glasses are removed and I go au naturel...and sometimes squint to focus the small print on some computer applications. | |
|
| bi- focals
Posted: 4/22/2007 8:13:35 PM | | I have progressive in tri-focals. The top part's has no prescription so I can still see distance, the middle is set for my 'computer zone' and the bottom's for reading. When I first put them on I was dizzy for days until I got used to them. Once I did get used to them I thought hey, they're great! Everything is in focus now, and if I'm working away from the computer I don't bother wearing them at all. Even seeing the speedometer isn't a problem anymore. If not for the reading part I wouldn't need the glasses at all. When I had the regular (not progressive) ones, I couldn't get used to them, I even fell down the stairs once! My new eye Dr took my lifestyle and everything else I do into consideration, and it's made a big difference. Will have to look into those 'monk' glasses though, lol. (Wondering, are those the same as like those half Ben Franklin kind?) | |
|
Home
login 
