Progressive bifocals?

george'smom

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Does anyone wear progressive lenses (bifocals)? I just had my annual eye exam yesterday and decided to try them (on order). They are very pricey, but I'm so tired of not being able to see up close (or having to switch from my distance glasses to my reading glasses).
 

okeefecl

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Yep. I'm very nearsighted, but a few years ago I was having problems reading and seeing really close things. I got them and haven't looked back. I will warn you that it is *absolutely* important that they are the right strength for your vision. When I got my new pair earlier this year, the lens lab had misread my prescription and made the near vision part of the lens way too strong. It made me sick within half an hour.
 
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george'smom

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Originally Posted by okeefecl

Yep. I'm very nearsighted, but a few years ago I was having problems reading and seeing really close things. I got them and haven't looked back. I will warn you that it is *absolutely* important that they are the right strength for your vision. When I got my new pair earlier this year, the lens lab had misread my prescription and made the near vision part of the lens way too strong. It made me sick within half an hour.
I hope they get it right the first time. They told me it can take a few weeks to adjust to them. My sister tried them last year (got hers at a Dept Store at the mall) and had to give up. I'm hoping that because I'm getting mine at the same place where I have my eyes checked, that I will have better luck. They guarantee them (will give me a pair of regular line bifocals if I am not happy). They cost enough, so they better work!
 

rockcat

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I paid $155.00 for my part (I have insurance) and I wear my $5.00 reading glasses instead. If you get them, try to find lenses that are as large as possible.
 

sammie5

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I just got progressives. I didn't have a lot of trouble adjusting to them, a friend of mine gave me really good advice. If you get used to turning your head when you need to look at something, rather than just moving your eyes, it's easier to adjust to them.

A couple of points. The prescription portion is in the centre of the lenses, so your periferal vision isn't corrected. You basically have a smaller field of vision. And, as with regular bifocals, you have to tip your head up to read stuff that isn't in exactly the right place in front of you.

I like the progressive part, no matter what you are looking at, there is a portion of the lens that corrects for that distance.

Now, I play music and spend a lot of time on the computer, so in addition to the progressives, I also got a pair of "computer" glasses. They are good enough for reading, but specifically presecribed to correct for vision at the distance from the computer screen or the music stand. I am lucky, in my home town there is a place that sells three pair of glasses for the price of 1. So I paid for the progressives (which were expensive), and then didn't have to pay extra for the computer glasses, or for prescription sunglasses for driving.

If the progressives were the only pair of glasses that I own, they would not be suitable.
 

dicknleah

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I am just now needing to use low powered reading glasses.
I'm only almost 38.

I wear contacts though so no need to worry about the progessives. I hate glasses although I do wear them occasionally.

My husband has progressives and he had no trouble getting used to them.
 

blueyedgirl5946

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Yes, I have worn them for years. A word of caution: When you put them on, you should be able to see clearly at that moment. Don't let them try to tell you your eyes will adjust. They never will. If you can't see out of them as soon as you put them on your face, then you won't adjust to them. I learned that the hard way. I hope you will like them But realize, if they don't suit you, keep at it with them. By law, they have to get you something you can see out of.
 

KittenKrazy

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Been wearing them here since I was about 22 or so (36 now).....wouldn't trade them for anything.....and I sew, play piano, read, quilt, computer work, etc. no problems! Oh, and just traded last time out for the smallest frames I could get with 'em in them...love it!
 

jcat

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I've had them for about 4 or 5 years (this is my second pair), and haven't had any trouble with them at all. I got the Nikon "Transition" lenses, that darken in the sun, and find them really practical, especially for driving. I don't have any trouble reading, sewing or working at the computer with them. Also no trouble on stairs, which a couple of bifocal wearers had warned me could be a problem. I also wear bifocal contacts (14-day disposables, which I take out every evening, and often don't bother with on weekends, so I usually get about three weeks out of a pair).
 

sunnicat

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My mom has been wearing them for several years and seems to like them. Mostly for the same reason, she hated switching for distance vision.
 

gailc

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I have worn bifocal lenses for almost 20 yrs. I was prescribed them when I was 28!!
I do not have the "no-line" bifocals. From what people have told he one gets used to the lined ones like I have or the no-line ones. The no-lines ones are the same as progressive???
I have a very hard time finding where the "line" is. Also FYI I have prescriptions sunglasses but those are single lense-no bifocals!!
 

rapunzel47

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I've had progressives for four or five years and love them. They work for everything -- no changing to different glasses for this that or the other, and in fact I don't find that my peripheral vision is shortchanged.

Rob, on the other hand, tried progressives just recently, because of my experience with them. Total loss. Could not adjust. Major issues with peripheral vision. Couldn't use them for driving. Etc. Etc. Ended up going back to the optician and getting regular bifocals (at no charge).

I'm quite nearsighted. Rob is quite farsighted. And the optician confirmed that that is probably what's responsible for the difference in our experience. Not that it always goes this way, but it also wasn't a total surprise. So, be aware of that dynamic. Good luck.
 

momofmany

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I got progressives earlier this year. My prescription is changing about every 6 months on me right now and even though the lens were very pricey, I've found that I can sort of slip them up or down my nose to get to the focus I need for either distance or close up. So I can probably keep them for a year or more.

I love them and will probably never get other kinds. The doctor warned me that it could take a few weeks to adjust and I was comfortable in them after about an hour.
 

captiva

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I guess this is what I have. I have never worn glasses until this year. I only need "reading" glasses but they recommended progressive bi-focals it because I wouldn't have to constantly be taking them off and putting them back on. Mine are no prescription lenses on the top since I have not trouble with distance. I was told to wear them at least 6-8 hrs a day to get used to them. The only training curve I had with them is disciplining myself to lean my head at the right angle (I am sure this is the "getting used to part" they spoke about). I find myself taking them off anyway because I feel like a geek with them on
 

rockcat

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Y'all are making me want to try mine again and I'm so used to wearing my cheap reading glasses on my nose so I can see over them.
 
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george'smom

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Thank you everyone for your input on this subject. It's really making me feel better about my decision to try these. I'll let you know how it goes (once I get them).
 
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