BS: bifocals

Subject: BS: bifocals
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 05:40 PM

I hate them..always tripping..I have a pair split for computer and reading and use distance glasses only for driving at night. Do you know if the reading portion can be put on top and computer on bottom? That would work better for me. I asked my eye doctor and it was like the birds and the bees..I have no idea what he said. mg

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 05:43 PM

Ask an optician, not an MD. I'd think you could get a pair made that way, yes.

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 06:23 PM

With the lenses that way round, wouldn't you have to lift your head up quite high to see the computer using the lower half? I tried varifocals a few years ago and had dreadful vertigo and nausea. I was so dizzy in Norwich I reckon people thought I was drunk! The optician said I'd adjust, but the specs were 'on trial' and I got my money back.

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: EBarnacle
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 07:43 PM

It sounds as though you want trifocals, not bifocals. The bottom focal length would be your readers and used for computer work. The middle would let you focus on the instrument panel of your car and the top would be your distance lenses. Go for it. they are available.

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 08:09 PM

I found trifocals impossible to live with, and donated them to an eyeglass drive.
I have had lens transplants, and am happy with the result, but any recommendation must come from your ophthalmologist.

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 08:42 PM

Do you know if the reading portion can be put on top and computer on bottom? That would work better for me.

I knew, casually, a young fellow some years ago who had a pair as you describe them. (It was many years back, so he's probably near geezer age by now.)

His "need" was because he spent lots of time "at the rail" watching the topless dancers, and felt the need to be attentive to details. He definitely needed a close focus when "looking up."

An optometrist should be able to install the lenses almost any way you want them, but it would be a good idea to discuss your needs with the person - optometrist or ophthalmologist - doing the refraction to select the focal lengths needed to suite your habits.

For an "inverted lens" you likely would want each "range" to be full width of the lens, which was less common a few years ago. The "reading lens" was often a small "patch" in the glass, but full width lenses are more readily available now.

Not too long ago, the fad was for "blended lenses" that merely smoothed the "line" between distance and near parts of the lens. This was easily accomodated by most people, but some had difficulty with them.

More recently, many optometrists offer what I believe they call "varifocal" lenses in which the focal length changes fairly smoothly over the full height of the lens, and that might be more readily adapted to an "upside down" mounting. The varifocal(?) lenses are generally somewhat more expensive than simpler ones, although it seems they would actually be simpler to produce.

Your optometrist should be able to explain the differences between the lens types. If all (s)he can say is "this one's best because it's more expensive" walk down the street to another one.

At "face value" it appears that your problem might be as much related to poor (or unusual, at least) posture at the computer, and you might consider whether you can approach the problem from that end; but of course you're the only one here at the moment who has what's needed for that diagnosis.

John

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: MarkS
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 10:33 PM

You can indeed get bifocals as you describe. I have heard them referred to as "mechanics lenses" so you can see closely to put the wrench on the nut when the car is up on the lift, or other jobs using tools in an area over your head.

Mark

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: Penny S.
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 03:52 AM

I've varifocals, and they are brilliant. I adjusted instantly. But, when a pair's frame was damaged away from the source optician, and I went to a chain for another pair, they had three tries and couldn't get it right. I could not resolve the images from both eyes. They did not seem to relate to reality. I would have fallen over. I still have the last pair of the three, which I use for emergencies not involving moving about or driving.

Not relevant to upside down specs, but I felt I need to say this.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: MartinRyan
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 04:13 AM

First day I wore my first varifocals, I drove my car, very gently, into the kerb in a car park because I couldn't judge where it was! After that , I never looked back... ;>)

More seriously, I found I adapted to them very quickly and woudn't dream of reverting to two pairs or to bifocals. I agree re the "mechanic's effect" - using a jeweller's screwdriver in a confined space in poor light is not easy! A lot depends on the range the lens need to cover and the lens size within which it has to do so.

When I renew my specs every few years, I get the older pair coated as sunglasses which ensures I have a working pair close to my current prescription, at little or no expense.

Regards

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: Musket
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 04:15 AM

i use varifocals.

After a couple of weeks I got used to them. In fact, the only time I use my single vision glasses is watching the TV. As I slowly slump down the amrchair (eventually to sleep...) I watch out of a lower part of the glasses, so the varifocals are not the best thing.

I use varifocals as bifocals are only allowed between consenting adults, and then not in Soho pubs.

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: GUEST,John MacKenzie
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 05:02 AM

Varifocals are definitely better, there is less need to lower your head, to look over the reading addition part of bi-focals.
With all compound lenses it is necessary to move the head more, but it's easier with varifocals. It soon becomes second nature, and to some extent I blame opticians, they need to fully inform people on what changes their new glasses will make. In other words, you need to be taught to 'drive' them.

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 05:44 AM

I have always had Varifocals. They are brilliant. I don't trip up, becuase they adjust so quickly as I move my head, you don't notice.
http://www.specsavers.co.uk/offers/30day-varifocal-trial/?gclid=CMvMwKvjpagCFUEa4Qod9BZOHA

I use the computer a lot and have no problems whatsoever, or for distance and driving. All you get is a slight distortion at the very side of the lenses but you don't normally look through that area.

I also have my lenses made with transition, which means they adjust to the light. So they act as sunglasses as well. Does not affect driving. Something like these. They also do something to them for night driving.
http://gb.transitions.com/experience/default.aspx

I would say that is what you want. I have been wearing them for 20 years.

Hope that helps.

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 05:48 AM

Yup, varifocals are definitely The One True Path To Optical Happiness.

I've had them for donkey's years. Never wear anything else. My shades are varifocals too.

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 07:33 AM

Varifocals were no good for me.

I started wearing glasses at the age of fourteen, and almost suffered vertigo when I found out how far away the ground was!

In recent years the usual age problems have meant that my eyes have lost their accomodation and so I need glasses for near objects as well.

Varifocals seemed the solution but when I tried them there was so much of my area of view that was not in focus that I felt like I was having tunnel vision. I certainly would not want to drive while wearing them, I had more vision overall when not wearing glasses at all. I tried using them for a week or two but it just was not safe.

I went for bi-focals and have two pairs, with the same distance vision prescription but a different near vision prescription, one for close range and one for a slightly further range. I use the one that feels right for the day as my near vision seems to be better some days than others, and also to fit with what I am doing.

I have a separate pair of glasse with a prescripion that is suitable for work at the computer and these were free because my work has to provide these.

I think I use my periferal vision more than most people as I get really annoyed with the recent trend to smaller frames. I want bigger frames so that I can see more without having to turn my head all the time!

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: Charmion
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 08:50 AM

I have bifocals for regular life and single-vision middle-distance specs for the computer. More and more, the bifocals get shoved up on top of my head for reading and close work -- something I complained about until the optometrist pointed out that at least I have decent close-in vision, unlike many of his older clients. I am blind in one eye and see poorly out of the other, so tri-focals and variable-distance lenses do not suit me at all.

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 09:08 AM

Penny -- sounds as if they had your pupillary distance wrong -- and thus the optical center (and the corridor of your progressive PAL lenses) of at least one lens was in the wrong place and, of course, your brain couldn't rectify that.

Varifocals (in the US called progressives or PALS) usually don't have enough intermediate distance area or reading area for people who spend all day either on the computer (accountants, etc.) or for doing close work like painting, jewelry making or embroidery. A lot of people order separate single focus (close or intermediate) glasses for those tasks or go with an intermediate and reading progressive such as Continuum.

I've not had any experience with reverse bifocals -- the company I work for does not make them.

I'm a state-registered ophthalmic dispenser -- meaning I fill eyeglass prescriptions, suggest lens treatments, fit glasses, check to assure eyeglasses are made properly according to prescription, troubleshoot problems, and repair eyeglasses. I work for a large chain and have not yet taken my ABO exam to become a board-certified optician. Licensing of ophthalmic dispensers or opticians is not required in my state.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 09:23 AM

For many years I've had to take my glasses off to read comfortably.

Going to the ophthalmologist (actually three different ones), and an optometrist, I've commented on this, and asked if something couldn't be done to fix it.

"Oh, yes, we can take care of that! No problem."

In each case I've expectantly tried the new pair, and found that I can see better to read "bare-eyed" than with the new glasses, just as with the old ones.

Don't mention bifocals or trifocals: I've been there, done that.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 09:50 AM

When I got my first pair of varifocals, I drove from the UK to the South Of France the next day, with no problem at all. Since then, I've never looked back, so to speak.

Due to the inadequacies of 18thC family planning (well, extra-family really), I'm descended from Benjamin Franklin - he it was who invented bifocals when in Paris so that he could assist his command of French by watching someone making a speech, whilst still able to make written notes.

I've never had a penny in royalties, though.

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 11:00 AM

DaveO -

It's likely that your glasses were presribed based on a pre-conceived notion that everyone puts the book at the same distance when reading, and perhaps you're an exceptional person. (an obvious assumption?)

You probably can observe for yourself what's you most comfortable reading distance, so that you can tell the next examiner more specifically what sort of correction you want for the reading lens.

The other side of it is that if you do a lot of your reading in one place, rearranging the furniture and/or adjusting the lighting may make a reading distance closer to "ordinary" more comfortable.

"Been there, done that" isn't much of an excuse. You have to be able to say "been there, done it right", before discarding a potentially beneficial aid. But of course it must be agreed that sometimes your personal simplest option is "good enough" to ignore the way others do it.

John

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: frogprince
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 11:44 AM

Bifocals are at once a necessity and a minor nuisance for me. A lot of the problem is, my right eye has very little lateral movement. If I turn my eyes down very far (far enough to look through a normally placed reading section) that eye pivots to where I have severe double vision. If my reading prescription section is high enough so that I can use is effectively, I have to drop my chin a bit to look over it for distance. but: when I have the "reading section" raised to where I can use it comfortably, I can cover the top of the reading section and still read comfortably without going double. Seems like it has to have something with the centering of the grind pattern, and I have to see if I can get the doc to pay attention to a complete explanation and see if he can work with it. In the meantime, I'm sitting down to read and holding the glasses raised a scosh with one hand.

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 03:48 PM

As I said in another thread I've been wearing varifocals for years with no problems, except when the lens is too small. As a former occassional professional driver (job description), it was great being able to see the road ahead and the dashboard!

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: GUEST,Charmion's brother Andrew
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 05:21 PM

Recent reports about advances in adaptive optics show that it appears that science is verging on glasses that will vary prescription according to situation or to the setting preferred by the wearer. At $1,250 smackers for a pair of specs, it may be dear but worth it. I am interested.

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 01:06 AM

If you ask your optician for "office glasses" they will prepare a set of lenses that are for working the distance from a monitor on the upper portion of the lens, and will make the bottom portion the close-focus "bi-focal" part. This means you can look at your phone and still see the numbers or read something on your desktop. I have a pair of these.

If you ask your optician for "computer glasses," they will prepare a set of lenses that have only that mid-range focal distance for just looking at the monitor. I have a pair of these. They work for the monitor, but they're a pain for the other reading I do at my desk. I have to take them off to get a close look at anything. I won't get another pair, except I will add that these are perfect for sitting at the piano and playing music. I don't need to tip my head back to read the sheet music through the lower part of the lens. So think about how you might use them. I can use the office glasses for reading sheet music just fine also.

Neither of these pairs of glasses had any distance focal ability, so you'll stumble around if you tried to wear them all of the time. I can move around the house to do some small task, run to the bathroom, get a cup of tea, but I wouldn't plan to wear them anywhere but seated at a desk in the office.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 01:08 AM

I should add I got my first pair of these many years ago when I experienced crippling neck pain from tipping my head back to read the screen with the bottom of my "normal" glasses all day long. My eye doctor explained what was happening and how she could remedy it. And she did!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 01:20 AM

I need the opposite of what you called office glasses. I need the reading stuff in a small band at the top and the main bottom computer glasses. I only use distance glasses when I drive at night..I get by fine with the computer lenses as I mostly walk and take buses etc. mg

Subject: RE: BS: bifocals
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 01:38 PM

Then just tell them what you're wanting, and to reverse the positions, it shouldn't be difficult. A friend who worked at Lockheed Martin told me that guys on the assembly line who stood and looked up all day had some way of wearing glasses upside down so the close-up part was on top. I guess they'd have to have their doctors reverse the lenses also, but surely they must be able to figure out how to make custom office glasses by now.

SRS