(fer us old folk) Bifocals

[Sweet]

Just got me first pair today. I HATE EM!!!! Whew, I turned from a mild mannered mom into a disturbed person within minutes. I put my ol pair back on.

I know I should get use to em. I know I will.

Can any other people share what happend to you?

lol with mixed feelings......

[babydingbat]

I don't wear bifocals (32 yrs. old), but I've seen bifocals with an ivisible line so you can't tell they're bifocals. There's also an option to check into laser surgery. I have a friend that wore bifocals and he had the laser surgery a few years ago, and he loves it to this day! Me? I hate to wear glasses, so I wear contact most of the time. I guess that's another option. You could wear contacts for near sight, then a pair of reading glasses when needed.

[Philip1952]

It will take a little while to get used to bifocals. Don't look down while you walk. Thats a good way to get dizey.
As far a laser goes. You won't get a laser close to my eyes. It is to new. What is the long term effects. In 20 years or so. Will your eyes start to cloud? Will catracks form from the work the laser did. Will your eyes changing from age require a second or third operation?
No line bifocals. If you follow a line while you read. Then they are allright. I do not follow a line when I read so they were out for me. No lines have a narrower field of vision than regular bifocals.
When I say follow a line. That means do you move your head as you read a sentence.

[caddmannq]

You could wear contacts for near sight, then a pair of reading glasses when needed.

That's what my wife does, but I can't handle contacts. I've tried.

I do wear "feather-lite" (high-index polycarbonate) progressive lenses (no lines), and they work wonderful for me, even though without them my vision is very poor. They took me virtually no time to get used to, and they're very thin and light. I've worn specs for 41 years, and they are the nicest thing ever.

The downside: They cost me over $300.
The upside: Much nicer than bi-focals or tri-focals. Much!
The caveat: I didn't get them at the cheapest place in town. You might do better.

[Philip1952]

I use safety glass for lenses. They do weight more. But I use a torch and welder at times. They hold up better from flying sparks than poly lenses do.

[caddmannq]

PS: The actual size & shape of the lens affects your reading a lot! The first ones I got were too short from top to bottom. The vertical field at the bottom was too short for comfortable reading.Talk to the opthomologist about this effect when you pick out the frames. A good one will know what I'm talking about.

Hey Philip 1952 here is my answer to some of your questions..

It is to new. -- Well it's been around over 20 years.

Will catracks form from the work the laser did-- It's the same type of surgery they use now to remove cataracks..

Will your eyes changing from age require a second or third operation? -- Mine have changed since I got the surgery 3 years ago.. I see better now than ever.

But it's for nearsightedness not really farsightedness (did I make those words up?)

I'm glad I did it, like any surgery there can be complications. But I went from 20/450 to 20/20...
Yes I need glasses for reading..

Sweet, the bifocals with lines made me sick.. literally..
I liked the line free ones tho.

[thekingofpain]

I use a progressive no-line tri, only prob is when I get cranked back too far in the recliner and try and watch tv my line of site aims thru the bottom (reading part) of the lens, a simple adjustment puts things back in focus...

Ive had surgery on both eyes and have been receiving botulism toxin injections monthly (11 years) to control the muscles and nerves that in turn control my eyes...

No problems whatsoever...

I've worn glasses for 38 years since I was 10. When I turned 40, I found I had to remove my glasses to read, eat, do any close work. I only needed the glasses for driving, TV and such. But my number is only -1.0 in both eyes (myopic) and +1.5 (presbyopic).

Did try contacts (hate them), bifocals (no good), progressive (don't give such clear vision). Now, I just don't wear glasses for anything. Except when I want to see real clear driving on a rainy nite or watching TV from far.

For the most part, I just don't wear them.

About the laser correction: be cautious. They do work but there is an element of risk. If your eyes are real bad, like -6 or worse, it may be worth the risk. Otherwise, stay away. Eyes are too precious to try anything unless there is a very compelling reason to do so. Judge for yourself and don't blindly (no pun ) go by what the doctors say.

After all, doctors need to make a living too.

[NoCtrl]

Originally posted by surreal
Sweet, the bifocals with lines made me sick.. literally..
I liked the line free ones tho.

I had just the opposite problem. The progressive/no line bifocals made me sick. Also, I didn't like having to turn my head to look around (not just move my eyes).