Bifocals and Progressive Lenses

[MarkF48]

Well I needed a new pair of glasses and I think at 69 years old and using bifocals for most of my life that worked just fine, I shouldn't have taken a chance trying progressive lenses which I got today. Holding my head still and looking straight ahead far and near is OK, but in the periphery vision it's like looking through a fishbowl that shifts about if I move my head. Wife says I'll get used to it, but I'm doubtful and I don't believe I could drive safely with these. Anyone else have a similar experience with progressive lenses?

 

[WoodswalkerWV]

Wait until you try to back a truck using mirrors.

 

[Will_C]

No I haven't-because I have never tried the progressives. Been wearing bifocals since the age of 8 have no trouble with them-I am afraid I would be like you and struggle with them.

Will

 

[JimRB]

I have been told that the quality of progressives varies a good bit. The good ones are great, the others just so so. All I have worn is the progressives the past decade. Nothing before. Looking straight ahead or nearly straight ahead is fine. Looking off to the side with the eyeballs is no joy.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Well I needed a new pair of glasses and I think at 69 years old and using bifocals for most of my life that worked just fine, I shouldn't have taken a chance trying progressive lenses which I got today. Holding my head still and looking straight ahead far and near is OK, but in the periphery vision it's like looking through a fishbowl that shifts about if I move my head. Wife says I'll get used to it, but I'm doubtful and I don't believe I could drive safely with these. Anyone else have a similar experience with progressive lenses?

I have been using progressive lenses for about the last 12 years... Wouldn't get anything but. When I first got them, it was a challenge to get used to them because of exactly what you reported. I am "near sighted". ( can't see crap anymore without the glasses). I never used bifocals, when I finally had to get either bifocals or progressives, I started with them. My wife is "far sighted" and she started with bifocals. Last time we went for new glasses, she tried the progressives for about 3 weeks and then returned them for bifocals. She could not get used to them. I don't know if it was because she used bifocals first, or just plain couldn't tolerate them. I do get "the best" type of lenses, which have a larger peripheral field of view. The secret to using progressive is changing your habit... You DO need to turn your head, not just your eyes, to look left or right, keeping your vision in the "sweet spot". I drive an EMS paramedic unit about 300 miles a day, responding code 3, lots of looking around and in the mirrors. If you can used to them, you'll never go back to bifocals.

 

[Oldtink]

I was the same way with the progressive..ly aggravating lens. I've had trifocals now for the past 10 or 15 years and that works much better for me.

 

[Woodeye]

I have had progressives for probably ten years. I haven't even thought about a problem after the first week.

 

[atsah]

I have been using progressive lenses for about the last 12 years... Wouldn't get anything but. When I first got them, it was a challenge to get used to them because of exactly what you reported. I am "near sighted". ( can't see crap anymore without the glasses). I never used bifocals, when I finally had to get either bifocals or progressives, I started with them. My wife is "far sighted" and she started with bifocals. Last time we went for new glasses, she tried the progressives for about 3 weeks and then returned them for bifocals. She could not get used to them. I don't know if it was because she used bifocals first, or just plain couldn't tolerate them. I do get "the best" type of lenses, which have a larger peripheral field of view. The secret to using progressive is changing your habit... You DO need to turn your head, not just your eyes, to look left or right, keeping your vision in the "sweet spot". I drive an EMS paramedic unit about 300 miles a day, responding code 3, lots of looking around and in the mirrors. If you can used to them, you'll never go back to bifocals.

Very good information and spot on with the head turning, it took me a while but I do like them.

 

[Redlands Okie]

I also got the progressive. Same problems with the view. Tossed em. Lot of money wasted. What or why are progressive better than bifocal ? Just that you do not have the sharp dividing line ? Pros and cons ? Will eventually have to use one or the other.

 

[Paddy]

I started out with "readers", strong for up close and weak for distance. When I did finally get an eye check up, my Dr. said what I was using was about right. But the fumbling with two pairs of glasses eventually sent me back for a single pair. I got the progressives and got used to them in two days. That was ten years ago.

Each time I get new glasses, I have to get "used to them", even though my prescription hasn't changed all that much.

I have never worn Bifocals but I can imagine the sharp line between would annoy me.

What I miss about having two separate glasses is when working overhead and up close. The top of the lens is for far distance and you need the up close part. So tilting your head back as far as you can.

Bifocals are a lot cheaper and most often fully covered with even the basic insurance plans. Progressives you pay a lot out out of pocket

 

[jay3534]

Like Oldtink I have trifocals. When I had to go to trifocals my eye doctor said with my lifestyle other than work I was not a candidate. Besides work I do some mechanic work, have horses and pull trailers, mow with tractor, etc. / he stated that progressives would drive me crazy.

 

[Egon]

I started out with "readers", strong for up close and weak for distance. When I did finally get an eye check up, my Dr. said what I was using was about right. But the fumbling with two pairs of glasses eventually sent me back for a single pair. I got the progressives and got used to them in two days. That was ten years ago.

Each time I get new glasses, I have to get "used to them", even though my prescription hasn't changed all that much.

I have never worn Bifocals but I can imagine the sharp line between would annoy me.

What I miss about having two separate glasses is when working overhead and up close. The top of the lens is for far distance and you need the up close part. So tilting your head back as far as you can.

Bifocals are a lot cheaper and most often fully covered with even the basic insurance plans. Progressives you pay a lot out out of pocket

Some people have the bifocal portion in the top of thier lense for just the reason you mentioned.

 

[V65ozzie]

I tried the progressives, no good for me, stayed with the no line bifocals. Due to get some new ones, vision deteriorates every year now. If I'd known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself.

 

[CADplans]

I and my wife both learned the "trick" to progressives.
the trick is that the lens must be taller,, to allow room for the progression from one lens to the other to occur.

Almost no frames are tall enough for progressives today, the "style" are the smaller lens.

My glasses look like they are out of the 1980's,, and they need to special order the frames.

I have been wearing progressives for over 25 years,, and love them.
While driving, I can look at the road, glance down at the dash, and it too is "in focus".

I love to be able to tilt my head,, and "find" focus.
Bifocals would drive me nuts,,,

 

[reb]

I tried progressive lenses once. Couldn't get used to seeing straight lines curve. Trifocals work fine for me.

 

[CADplans]

I tried progressive lenses once. Couldn't get used to seeing straight lines curve. Trifocals work fine for me.

That occurred to me when they made my lens out of Lexan,, I can not wear Lexan.
My vision is perfect with regular plastic.

Different materials refract light differently, and apparently they do not vary the grinding to account for the material.
With Lexan, I only have good vision in a small (~3/4") circle at the center of the lens.

Outside the small circle, the Lexan bends straight lines into curves,,, for my prescription,,,.

 

[DrRod]

I was in Walmart and saw a sign that they were accepting walk-ins so I walked in -- hadn't had new glasses in a few years. The optometrist suggested progressives and I went for it. When I tried them at work I found them to be exactly opposite of what I needed. I had to tilt my head up to read from the desk and dip down to see the computer screen. After a few weeks I went to a local eye place and after checking things out the doctor gave out with a burst of laughter. She said she couldn't believe anyone could have come up with that prescription. She said the cheaters that I get at Dollar General [usually around $5]were doing a better job for me than these expensive progressives. Probably not a typical experience but I now put my faith in optometry professionals at Dollar General.

 

[oosik]

I tried progressive lenses long ago - they aren't for me. Great difficulty finding "focus" and going up or down stairs was a nightmare.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I took right to progressive lenses, never an issue.

 

[dgl24087]

I've been wearing progressive lenses for about 15 years, on my 3rd pair now. These are by far the best I've ever had, I can shift my line of sight without having to turn my head. Unfortunately, my optometrist of about 20 years passed away a few months ago, I feel he made a significant difference in the quality due to his thoroughness during eye exams. Very meticulous and spent a lot of time with each patient to ensure satisfaction.