Should I get the progressive lenses or the bi focal?!


Question: Should I get the progressive lenses or the bi focal?
I don't care, I just don't want that line in the middle with the bifocals, plus the progressives are a lot more money. My distance vision is worse than my near. Or can I get a single vision, just for distance say for example driving?

Answers:

I hate my progressives, but I'm pretty much stuck with them. An Optometrist recommended them for me about 15 years ago and I thought, "great - no lines". I wish I'd just gone with two pair of glasses right away.

Watching TV - really hard. I have a 28" TV and I sit about 8ft away, but the entire picture is never in focus. It's particularly hard when the screen has a darker image.

Stairs - this takes a bit of getting used to. When I would walk down stairs it seemed like I was looking through water, so I'd lose my depth perception. This did clear up after a while but every now and then it comes up again.

Computer - this is the most difficult for me because I'm on the computer 10+ hours a day. Because the progressives have a different prescription about every 2mm, the focus point changes every time I shift in my chair. I couldn't find the right height combination for chair + monitor + glasses, and it turned out the best focus I could get was with my head tilted back, looking through the bottom portion of the lens. It didn't take long to get a neck ache.

The last time I got glasses I told the new Optometrist the problems and he measured me properly for a computer screen. I also got a second pair of glasses that are strictly for reading. The difference between them is really noticeable. I'm able to wear the new progressives most of the time, even on the computer but now and then my eyes will get fatigued and I'll switch to the reading glasses. I do have to pull the computer screen a bit closer but it becomes much easier to work.

I'm sure others will have different experiences but I really really wish I'd declined the progressives.



Progressive is more expensive but also provides multiple focal ranges. It will allow you to see at a distance, mid- range and near all with one lens, probably the closet thing you can get to natural vision.
It may take you a bit to get used to, but it beats taking the glasses on and off, or having to switch to separate reading glasses.

You could do a single vision lens if you want, you really can do whatever you think will suit you best with the prescription. Progressives or bifocals are merely suggested when there is a need for distance and near corrections so you won't have 2 or more sets of glasses. You can just choose to take them off to read if that still works for you for now.

If you do decide to try progressive lenses, ask about a non-adapt warranty or simply ask what happens if you can't get used to them. Many places will offer a no cost lens change to another type of lens, for example progressive to just single vision again. You may not get any rebate on the initial set of lenses,but usually don't have additional expense for the new lenses. This can vary from place to place so be sure to ask before ordering.

Success with a progressive lens depends on a few things. A good progressive lens, there are some dogs out there, a knowledgeable optician that is doing the measurements, and having the right progressive for the size frame you select and if it is even suitable for a progressive. Constant wear will also help you adjust. Many find them perfectly fine for computer, but for those that spend a lot of time with one, sometimes choose computer glasses just for that task alone.



With a standard bifocal, there is one area with one correction, and another area with the bifocal add. It's easy to tell where it changes because of the line.

With a progressive lens, the prescription depends on were you are looking through the lens. The top half is going to be for your distance vision, the bottom center will be your bifocal add. But the transitional areas have certain shapes, and may be quite small, so you might need to tilt your head up and down or back and forth to get the right spot to focus.

But it's hard to know what will work for you. But if you don't want the line, you have two choices - single-vision or progressive. Think about how you're going to use your glasses. One pair might work, or more than one might be necessary.

Personally, I have two pair of glasses. Both are ST28 lined bifocals. One is for distance vision and reading at an 18" distance. The other has the upper for computer at a 24" distance, and the bifocals are for reading at 16" distance. I wear the first pair most of the time, and the second for work on the computer. It works for me.




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