Bifocals suck

[91Joe95]

So I had lasik about 25 years ago, and at the time I turned down monovision. I was told when I hit my mid 40s I would most likely need reading glasses, which I was fine with. Mid 40s hit and like clockwork I need them. No big deal, perfectly expected, and I've been using them for a few years now without any problems.

About a month ago I have my annual eye appointment. Still need readers, but also my vision is now 25/20. I'm not getting the eyes touched up surgically for such a minor fix, and I don't even think they are willing to correct for such a small amount, so I chose glasses. They give me the choice of readers, regular glasses, bifocals, and the progressive lens. The progressives sounded like a pain learning where to look, I already have readers, and switching glasses seemed silly to me, so I chose bifocals. Several weeks later I still cannot stand them. I only use them as readers at this point. Next time I'm getting separate readers and regular glasses.

 

[PSU12046]

I have progressive lenses now. It takes a bit to get use to them (they wouldn't let me drive home when I first got them). But like everything else, your head adapts to using them correctly. The best part . . . no changing glasses. The worse part . . . the peripheral vision is tough. I still keep running into things to the side of me.

 

[PSU Mike]

I think I’m officially 20/40 ish and can still pass a driver vision test. I’m surprised you can’t do without them. The biggest pain for me is menu boards at counter-order restaurants.

 

[lemonears]

So I had lasik about 25 years ago, and at the time I turned down monovision. I was told when I hit my mid 40s I would most likely need reading glasses, which I was fine with. Mid 40s hit and like clockwork I need them. No big deal, perfectly expected, and I've been using them for a few years now without any problems.

About a month ago I have my annual eye appointment. Still need readers, but also my vision is now 25/20. I'm not getting the eyes touched up surgically for such a minor fix, and I don't even think they are willing to correct for such a small amount, so I chose glasses. They give me the choice of readers, regular glasses, bifocals, and the progressive lens. The progressives sounded like a pain learning where to look, I already have readers, and switching glasses seemed silly to me, so I chose bifocals. Several weeks later I still cannot stand them. I only use them as readers at this point. Next time I'm getting separate readers and regular glasses.

You are not unusual. I have readers, driving glasses, computer glasses, and prescription sun glasses. Four pairs of glasses that have to periodically get changed. My most important are the glasses that give me good vision at a distance of about 18 inches for computer use. I have them on more than any other.

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

In 1986 I was seriously considering changing from Army ROTC to Marine Corps to be an aviator, so I took the 2 day flight physical at Willow Grove NAS. My eyes were both 20/15. I didn't switch branches, but kept excellent vision until I was 43. Then over the course of 9 months I had to have 3 prescriptions as my vision effectively fell off the table. I now have been wearing "progressive" lens for 10 years... which is a fancy way of saying trifocals. Good luck brother... getting old sucks but it's the best we can hope for.

 

[91Joe95]

I think I’m officially 20/40 ish and can still pass a driver vision test. I’m surprised you can’t do without them. The biggest pain for me is menu boards at counter-order restaurants.

I don't really need them except for reading, I just thought it might be easier to wear them almost all the time than having to pull out glasses.

 

[JWB389]

I had lasik in '07. I could not read the big E on the eye chart, no exaggeration. I was 20/20 the next day. What a life changing experience. I still have excellent distance vision, but I need readers BAD. My eyes are different prescriptions and it drives me nuts. I am toying with the notion of getting the eyes tweaked again.

 

[Nitt1300]

 

[Lmdm]

I have progressive lenses now. It takes a bit to get use to them (they wouldn't let me drive home when I first got them). But like everything else, your head adapts to using them correctly. The best part . . . no changing glasses. The worse part . . . the peripheral vision is tough. I still keep running into things to the side of me.

Progressive lenses are one of the best things I ever bought. No problem from first second I put them on.

 

[GrimReaper]

So I had lasik about 25 years ago, and at the time I turned down monovision. I was told when I hit my mid 40s I would most likely need reading glasses, which I was fine with. Mid 40s hit and like clockwork I need them. No big deal, perfectly expected, and I've been using them for a few years now without any problems.

About a month ago I have my annual eye appointment. Still need readers, but also my vision is now 25/20. I'm not getting the eyes touched up surgically for such a minor fix, and I don't even think they are willing to correct for such a small amount, so I chose glasses. They give me the choice of readers, regular glasses, bifocals, and the progressive lens. The progressives sounded like a pain learning where to look, I already have readers, and switching glasses seemed silly to me, so I chose bifocals. Several weeks later I still cannot stand them. I only use them as readers at this point. Next time I'm getting separate readers and regular glasses.

Haven't worn bifocals for years and you're right, they suck.

Changed to progressive lenses more years ago than I care to count. Initially disn't see much of a difference, but the technology has improved to such a degree that I no longer have issues. One caveat: there are differences between manufacturers/brands. I have an older pair of sunglasses and the transitions can be jarring at times. My main glasses are Varilux, about a year old, and they are fantastic in every way save the cost.

 

[ACGT]

So I had lasik about 25 years ago, and at the time I turned down monovision. I was told when I hit my mid 40s I would most likely need reading glasses, which I was fine with. Mid 40s hit and like clockwork I need them. No big deal, perfectly expected, and I've been using them for a few years now without any problems.

About a month ago I have my annual eye appointment. Still need readers, but also my vision is now 25/20. I'm not getting the eyes touched up surgically for such a minor fix, and I don't even think they are willing to correct for such a small amount, so I chose glasses. They give me the choice of readers, regular glasses, bifocals, and the progressive lens. The progressives sounded like a pain learning where to look, I already have readers, and switching glasses seemed silly to me, so I chose bifocals. Several weeks later I still cannot stand them. I only use them as readers at this point. Next time I'm getting separate readers and regular glasses.

I like them, but if the fitting is not done correctly, you can have problems. I always look for an experienced fitter to mark the lenses and avoid 20 year old fitters who have no real experience.

 

[STPGopherfan]

So I had lasik about 25 years ago, and at the time I turned down monovision. I was told when I hit my mid 40s I would most likely need reading glasses, which I was fine with. Mid 40s hit and like clockwork I need them. No big deal, perfectly expected, and I've been using them for a few years now without any problems.

About a month ago I have my annual eye appointment. Still need readers, but also my vision is now 25/20. I'm not getting the eyes touched up surgically for such a minor fix, and I don't even think they are willing to correct for such a small amount, so I chose glasses. They give me the choice of readers, regular glasses, bifocals, and the progressive lens. The progressives sounded like a pain learning where to look, I already have readers, and switching glasses seemed silly to me, so I chose bifocals. Several weeks later I still cannot stand them. I only use them as readers at this point. Next time I'm getting separate readers and regular glasses.

Love my progressives. The only regret I had was waiting too long!

 

[Fac]

When I hit my mid forties I needed prescription glasses to see far distances (driving for example), over the following 7 - 10 years my eyes changed and now I can see far distances but need readers for up close viewing. This is better as readers are far less expensive.