The Dreaded B-Word: Bifocals

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
After procrastinating far too long, I finally had an eye test done - and it looks like this year Santa will be bringing me bifocals.

Yikes. When did I get so old?

So my question for those who wear them - should one's sun glasses also have bifocal lenses?

After hearing what bifocal lenses cost - and after fainting and then picking myself up off the floor - I'm wondering if I can get away with a pair of bifocal specs for inside (reading, etc.) and just have sun glasses made up as normal lenses in the distance prescription. Or is it better for one's eyes to have all specs the same?

(I am seriously photophobic, I can't go outside without dark sunglasses, even on an overcast day.)

So what do you fellow B-word wearers do?

Many thanks.

2
Do you mean bi-focals or varifocals? I was totally unable to get used to varyfocals and suffered from dizziness and loss of balance. Vision Express kept telling me to persevere- but I just couldn't. When we exchanged our UK driving licences, I had to do an eye test. This showed that I haven't got full 3D vision- and that varifocals were totally unsuitable for me. Still arguing this one out with Vision Express!

3
I just got my first pair of glasses with progressive lenses (almost the same as bifocals but with a smoth transition between the two areas)

The first 2 hours I was behaving like a drunk sailor (without the swearing though) but after that no problems.

Since you cannot go outside without using shades you may benefit from getting the full package there as well. It all depends on if you want to do any reading (or similar stuff) while outside.

I bought mine in Denmark as you can have a two for one deal (plus extra for the extras) so I paid approx. CHF 1100 for two pairs.

I noticed you can get really cheap bifocals/progressives (as well as other glasses) on www.eyebuydirect.com but I have not tried it myself yet.

4
I've worn varifocals for about 7-8 years now... my first pair of prescription sunglasses were single vision and I got along fine with them... a few uncomfortable moments where I would have to read something resulting in my taking off the sunglasses and doing some serious squinting.

recently however I got a pair of varifocal sunglasses and there is no going back... if you can get them somewhere at a reasonable price definitely go for the vari-sunglasses.

5
I have progressive bifocals, and while it took a little to get used to them, I like them quite a lot. I have rimless lenses - they were pricey in the US even - but one thing that worked for me is a polarized sunglass clip on.

Although I prefer my big dark sunglasses outside they are single prescription (just distance) and I move between pairs easily. At this point, I son't actually need reading glasses, just can't read with distance correction on. Annoying, this aging crap.

I have an old pair of a weaker correction to look at the computer screen.

Long story short, see if a clipon is available for your bifocals and keep the sunglasses as is...... At least try it.

Good luck. Have to visit the opthalmologist here finally, too.

6
Have you thought about laser surgery? Apparently they correct one eye for short sight and the other for long sight - your brain sorts our the rest

I had laser correction over 6 years ago, for long sight and have never looked back

7
another vote for LASEK or LASIK. They correct each eye (maybe that's what Liverbird is saying) based on the measurements and then you see proper, like. At least ask your optro.......er.......speccy doc about this - it might be an option.

Someone I love had it done once 2.75 one eye 3.25 t'other and still can see proper now.

Warning - ageing will still have an affect on your eyesight.

Oh and it's cheaper not_in_Switzerland

8
Not sure of the cost in Switzerland, but I think I paid about 1000 GBP in the UK. Don't believe the prices they quote on the internet though. everyone I know who has had it done, has paid about double the advertised price.

9
I've been thinking about lasix, but if I have the distance correction, I'll have to wander around with reading glasses close by and I don't think I want to do that. Not yet. I still like to read without my glasses. So it's not perfect...

10
I've had progressive for about a year (didn't take too long to get used to them), and toiled with the idea of having "reactalite" type lenses -- but was advised against this by my m-i-l, as she advised me that they require more time to go from sunny bright conditions to dark (i.e. the lenses become lighter) -- not so good on a summers day, driving into a tunnel.

I ended up with a suitable compromise of having clip-on sunnies made at the same time -- good quality lens that cope with most variations in conditions.

Next time I get my glasses allowance, and need a new pair, I may take the gamble and try the reactalite option -- for no reason other than convenience.

11
I went for varifocals rather than bifocals. I didn't like bifocals due to the sudden change between the two areas.

In my opinion, it is worth going to a specialist optician for varifocals rather than one of the High Street chain stores. The shape and style of the areas can be matchd to your specific needs. I had no problems with mine.

You could go for prescription sunglasses. I opted for contact lenses and standard sunglasses. As my eyes have changed, I now only need a contact lens in one eye. Basically, I am viewing long distance with one eye and reading with the other. It sounds strrange but feels completely fine.

12
watch out with the reactalite... they never get that dark, and in summer they barely change at all.

They work best with cold temperatures, so on a bright winter day they'll get nice and darkish... but imho they are no substitutes for good solar glasses.

by the way, concerning bifocals...I can read if I take off my prescription distance, but it is annoying. how long does the vision keep changing? I don't want to go too fast, and having to re-do the whole thing next year... or is it a given that every year we'll need new ones?

I am tempted by the lasik then... cheap, easy reading glasses, and that's it...

13
I think I have tri-focals, or are these varifocals? Bottom part is for reading small print, mid section for computer screen, and upper section for far distances.

These cost a small fortune in Switzerland. I understand they cost a lot less elsewhere. Insurance covered the cost of 1 lense.

14
I had photochromic (reactalite) for years, and it worked very nicely. Finally ditched it when it was cheaper to have two pairs of glasses.

I only wear sunglasses for skiing, so won't need bi/varifocals.

15
Join the club. There's probably a two-fold problem. I need varifocals and although my eyes hate glare (I have to be careful anyway because of the retina), I can really only see in focus in good light. This means I have to be able to remove and replace sunglasses quickly and easily.

My selection. Varifocals for every day. The 'previous' pair I use when in the water (standing) at the pool as the chlorine in the water ruins the frames! Just shortsighted correction for swimming goggles when I have no intention of reading anything. Same again for diving mask. Varifocal clips for my crosscountry skiing/cyling sun glasses (used with yellow, reddish, brownish covers for glare or sunshine). Sunglasses which clip 'inside' the normal glasses (look odd but stop sun entering from the side). Sunglasses which clip 'outside' the normal glasses and which can be tipped up to enable me to see if the light isn't very good. I also have another 'tip-up' clip which I use for the computer which enables me to look through any part of the varifocal lens instead of just the bottom part. Saves a lot of stiff neck! If you do something like this, check the exact distance glasses to screen before you go to the optician to have them made.

I had no trouble at all adapting to varifocals - first mealtime I thought the table was coming up to hit me - and that was that. If you go to a decent optician, he'll let you try varifocals and if you don't get on with them, he'll sort out a better solution for you. Good Luck.

16

In all the years I helped folks select glasses (or glasses & contacts) to suit their vision needs, usually this came down to what the individual actually intends to do with their sunglasses on.

Someone who does a lot of driving or anything which requires being able to see to read a map or directions may go with "multi-focal" lenses in their sunglasses as well - in whatever flavor ("lined" bifocal, progressive / varifocal, tri-focal, whatever) they choose. Someone who uses their sunglasses primarily for distance viewing only tends to go with just distance and save the cost of the more complicated lenses.

As others have brought up the usage of lenses which change depending upon lighting conditions, things with these do change somewhat fairly quickly these days so I'm unsure of how accurate my info is anymore...

Anyhow, generally speaking, they do not change inside an enclosed vehicle as much as they do in direct sunlight. For someone who is using them to go between two major areas - indoors to outdoors - they are usually pretty fantastic. For someone who is using them for driving, they are less good as for many people, they do not get dark enough to truly suit a sunglass purpose inside a car as the glass of the windows reflect enough UV light away to keep them from changing fully.

Someone who is photophobic or photosensitive will generally not be happy with these as a true sunglass also and would do better to get polarized* lenses which cut glare from below (so on a sunny snowy day or doing water activities) as well as being dark in general.

I'm at the point that I know that the next time I have my eyes examined, it will show a beginning need for multifocal lenses as I am having a hard time focusing at distance if I've been reading for long... With my current needs here though, I intend that my indoor (and work, if I get a job ) glasses will be some sort of multifocal (likely progressives) and my sunglasses will either be a polarized clip-on to match my glasses OR they will be distance only.

If I get a car again, if I were back in Florida again, if, if... I would indeed have my sunglasses done as a multifocal as well.

*One caution about polarized lenses though is that it does make it hard (or impossible depending upon angle) to see LCD readouts so you have to take into consideration what system is in use for navigational or speed displays in your car or wherever.

17
EasyClip is your best solution. They are manufactured in Canada, mine are 3 years old and have taken all kinds of abuse from 3 dogs and a cockatoo (she hates the fact that I wear glasses. ) The polarized sunglass lense clips on to the glasses using a magnet system. There is a shop in Kusnacht that imports the frames from Canada. It is called Augenoptiker Gottheil, Dorfstrasse 21, 8700 Küsnacht. Website: http://www.optikergottheil.ch/

The owner speaks English.

18
Wow, thanks for all the info, folks!

To start with, I'm having the new lenses fit into a pair of old frames, as a sort of try-out to see if I can cope, before I invest too much - but now that you mention it, I'm not sure if they will be bi- or or vari-focal lenses. Need to check...

(Why is it that I don't seem to hear very well without my spectacles on? )

Once I've determined I can adjust to the new lenses then I need to think about sun glasses.

Several of my current specs are photochromatic - they are great for walking outside in the rain or for hiking through shaded woods (seriously - the only time I can go without sun glases is after sundown), but don't offer enough protection in full sun. So 'real' sun glasses are a must as well.

I've briefly considered surgery, but I'm far too much of a wimp. Just the thought of slicing and dicing my eyes gives the heebeejeebees... And honestly, I rather like wearing specs. I also like being able to take my specs off and make the world around me vanish. Very handy at times.

Longbyte, that's very interesting - this sounds similar to my problem with sunlight. I seem to get glare from the sides bouncing off the inside of my specs - if that makes any sense. I like your idea of the inside clip...

(One of the reasons I like living in Switzerland, especially the Heart Of Darkness - not too many sunny days to worry about. )

Peg, good point about LCD readouts - I guess I'll need to test drive several options - quite literally.

Decisions, decisions... but all this info has been very helpful - thanks!

19
That is what my new lenses will be, with clip ons.

20
One of the things you may wish to consider, particularly if you're very sensitive to light, is to get some really special sunglasses, perhaps "distance only" as they do get to be quite expensive, and then use the slip-in shades for other uses.

The really special ones I mean really do start adding up... Mirrored on the front, polarized, anti-reflective on the back. Since the mirror helps turn more light away, the tint doesn't have to be quite as dark, same thing about them being polarized, cutting glare from below. The anti-reflective on the "back" or "inside" surface will help allow more light to pass through AWAY from you instead of bouncing back and disturbing you.

These sort of sunglasses are generally marketed as specialty or sports glasses if you get them non-prescription, there are several high-end sunglass manufacturers and designers who use this combination as it really does help tremendously... they were quite popular in Florida, as you can imagine.

Even in the US, all that adds up to be quite a hefty dent in the wallet, usually looking at minimum of about $400 for single-vision prescription lenses like that... I really cringe to see what they'd cost here.

Generally though, once bifocals start becoming necessary, our distance vision tends to stabilize even more (more so if the person was near-sighted) so investing in a really good pair of single-vision distance sunglasses isn't sooooo bad if you consider that you can probably keep / use them (if you care for them well) for longer than you would your regular glasses.