New Glasses - Bifocals? Contacts?

[jyl]

Time for the optometrist. My glasses really need replacing and it may be time for bifocals. But I'm interested in hearing about the different options.

Glasses - I'm very nearsighted with astigmatism. Most of my day is spent at a monitor (three, actually). I'm starting to have trouble focusing close up (like when reading fine print) but it doesn't stop me from reading books etc yet. So, thinking about either bifocals (or progressives) or two pairs of glasses (one for closer up stuff like the computer, one for general use). Anyone do either of these, comments, hard to get used to?

Contacts - I used to wear them, starting in the bad old days of "hard" lenses, but haven't for about 10 years. With contacts I'd still have trouble focusing up close, right? Do they make bifocal contacts? Does anyone wear reading glasses over contact lenses?

Just wanted to get some ideas, maybe there's something new out there I haven't heard of.

Zero interest in Lasik. When there's 20+ years of safety data, maybe.

[Racerbvd]

I use to wear contacts, some of the new ones are great, much better than when I 1st tried them while in high school and I did wear reading glasses with my contacts. Don't rule out the lasik, I had PRK, and that has been around much longer and is better, but not quite as simple, but it is definitely worth it as I no longer have to wear coke bottle glasses (I was -375, been wearing glasses since I was 5, 44 now) or do I need the reading glasses anymore.... My mother had lasik when she turned 60 (she is 72 now) and still thinks it is the best money she ever spent. BTW, if you stay with glasses, they have also improved a lot..

[pwd72s]

Depends on your vision...I tried bifocals, but decided to go with reading & distance glasses. When I picked up a chainsaw with bifocals was the deciding moment...there was just too much difference...scared I'd injure myself.

[Jim Richards]

John, I use progressive lenses and that seems to work out well for me. I, too, spend a good many hours in front of a monitor, and I'm quite comfortable with my glasses. One important consideration is the brand of lens you get. I tried to use progressive lenses from the large chain stores like Lenscrafters without success. I was very uncomfortable with the combination of corrections (near/far) using their lenses. I could see far and near; however, the near region was too focused and I felt like the glasses were throwing off my depth perception when I was standing up. It made walking very uncomfortable. I ended up getting glasses with a higher grade lens (Zeiss). This worked out well for me and I've been wearing glasses with Zeiss progressive lenses for a number of years.

IMO, multiple glasses (regular, reading) are a PIA.

[imcarthur]

I use progressives. I have the standard age related eyesight decline. First glasses at 42 . . . etc. I agree with above: avoid Lenscrafters & the other quickie services. They use cheap lens that scratch almost instantly. My last pair was from Pearle - which took a couple of weeks to order. They are plastic & therefore very light but I am still wearing them 2 -3 years on.

Ian

[tcar]

Go to an Ophthomologist, not an optometrist.

[Seahawk]

True. That is what I do now...I tried bifocals and hated them.

I'll try progressives next.

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

IMO, multiple glasses (regular, reading) are a PIA.

[84porsche]

If you go with contacts - I recommend the Accuvue Oasys ones. 2 week disposables but they are easy on the eyes.

[cantdrv55]

John if I could wear contacts, I would. My progressives are a pain in the behind. I chose stylish frames that are narrow so the area that I need most is too small. I end up taking my glasses off to see up close. I think next time, I'll but two single vision pairs of glasses.

[DARISC]

I'm very far-sighted, wore glasses from age 4, tried hard contacts years ago and gave up on them, went back to glasses until bifocals were required after which I got the then new gas permeable hard contacts, which I thought were great (but needed cheapo reading glasses for close work), then needed trifocals so got soft contacts - one eye for near, one eye for far (a compromise which works great - don't even need reading glasses), and now toss them every 30 days and put fresh ones in (never even have to take them out to clean them, just use drops on occasion).

I'd stayed away from soft lenses because their acuity isn't as great as the hard lenses, but I don't see any difference at all now that I have them.

Most people take them out for cleaning/sleep without them on occasion, but I leave mine in for the whole 30 days. I'm TOTALLY unaware of them being in my eyes - other than that I can see . My eye dr. sees no irritation or other deleterious effects.

Being far-sighted, glasses, even plastic lenses, are very thick and heavy - can't imagine going back to them, especially tri-focals (I have a pair for emergencies though).

[Looking_for_911]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

I use progressives. I have the standard age related eyesight decline. First glasses at 42 . . . etc. I agree with above: avoid Lenscrafters & the other quickie services. They use cheap lens that scratch almost instantly. My last pair was from Pearle - which took a couple of weeks to order. They are plastic & therefore very light but I am still wearing them 2 -3 years on.

Ian

Ditto!

My last two girlfriends fell "victim" to the offerings of the quickie chain places offering 2 pair for $69 or whatever.
They both had problems with the initial prescriptions, had trouble out of the rude, inattentive staff when they took them back, and the first one actually had her two pair fall apart at the temple joint and they refused to warranty them... all within 30-days of her getting them.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by jyl

Do they make bifocal contacts?

Yes they do. Mine are Bausch & Lomb PureVision (balafilcon). A year's supply (30 days use) costs about $100 per year at Walmart.

Does anyone wear reading glasses over contact lenses?

I did for years when I wore (non dual-focus) gas permeable hard lenses. Much to my delight and surprise with the soft bifocals, near/far, that I wear now, I no longer need reading glasses at all.

..

[Rot 911]

Like Darisc I use the soft 30 day lenses, one for near and the other far. After years of reading glasses, then bifocals, as soon as I went to these lenses it was like 20 years dropped off my eyesight. It took my brain about 30 minutes to adapt.

[Brillo]

I have been wearing extended wear contact lenses for over twenty years (since college). I am extremely nearsighted. Last year my reading vision started the 40's decline. So I went with progressive for my glasses. Love them and had no problem adjusting. My doctor is currently looking into progressive contacts that are extended wear.

I am also not interested in the laser surgery, will need more time to prove they are okay in the long term.

[jyl]

Wow, contacts sure have come a long way, progressive contact lenses, who'da thought.

http://www.allaboutvision.com/over40/multifocalcls.htm

I'm sort of excited to visit the eye doc now.

[jyl]

Well, my first pair of progressive eyeglasses are great. No problem adjusting.

My new contacts (not progressive) since the onset of presbyopia are less successful. Great distance correction, 20/20, but for reading I definitely need reading glasses. Now, I don't mind wearing reading glasses, and my wife and kids think I look "cute" with readers perched halfway down my nose, and I can deal with the "old guy" connotations. But not having a pair of readers on hand when I need them is a real pain. Costco sells 3 for $18 and I'm well on my way to stashing a pair in every room in the house and in the pocket of every jacket. Now someone needs to make sunglasses with a reading lens in the bottom part. Arrgh. I'm going to ask the optometrist about progressive contacts.

[Rot 911]

John, good luck with the progressives. For some reason my brain just would not adapt to the. On the other hand getting the one near, one far contact works perfect for me.

[steve911]

John--
"But not having a pair of readers on hand when I need them is a real pain. Costco sells 3 for $18 and I'm well on my way to stashing a pair in every room in the house and in the pocket of every jacket"

Exactly what I do. I had a couple of pairs made up by my opthamologist initially and have added pairs from Target (they're all 1.50x magnification).
I keep a pair in my briefcase for work, a pair on my nightstand, a pair in my home office and a pair in each of my cars. I liken it to the advice our pediatrican gave us about pacifiers years ago - sprinkle them around the crib so your child always has one within reach.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Kurt V

Like Darisc I use the soft 30 day lenses, one for near and the other far. After years of reading glasses, then bifocals, as soon as I went to these lenses it was like 20 years dropped off my eyesight. It took my brain about 30 minutes to adapt.

Yeah John - and I have to wear TRIFOCALS! if I go conventional. For what it's worth if you wanna show it to your eye guy, here's my prescription - soft bifocals, one near, one far, leave them in for 30 days and can read a phone book in dim light. No more reading glasses!



Oh yeah - with my lenses out:



With my lenses in:



David

[David]

There are some sunglasses with cheaters, Maui Jim comes to mind.

I was thinking strongly about Lasik and even had my eyes checked for it a few months ago. With a couple more weeks to decide about setting aside "flex dollars" in 2010, I've decided to put it off another year.

I'm 42 and within the last couple months it's become much harder to read small print especially with contacts in