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Thread: Progressive vs Bifocal question.

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  1. #1
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    Confused Progressive vs Bifocal question.

    I have had progresives lenses for 5 years but as the add has increased (on my 3rd pair now, up to 1.5, started at .75 ) I find that reading for pleasure is a pain as I am always trying to find the correct place in the lenses.

    I asked the eye doctor about getting a pair of bifocals (in my old frames) to use for book reading and such. He suggested not switching to bifocals as now it would be ok (I am far sighted) but as I get older bifocals would not be enough and that no one likes trifocals so it was better to try to stay in the progressive.

    So do most people have problems with trifocals?

    Can I switch between bifocals and a pal as needed or will this cause me to get out of practice on the pal?

    Thanks
    Tom

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    Your doctor thinks so. I often think doctors are relutant to prescribe same because they are afraid they will have to go through all b****** and crying they had to listen to when the patient first went into bifocals. Really, they are great if you want to see, but you probably won't need them until you add is +2.00.


    Chip

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    I would just put a pair of reading lenses into your old pair

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    OptiBoard Novice rburckhardt's Avatar
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    Same here. I'm using progressives now and at my last check-up it was suggested I get a dedicated pair for computer work. For you, a dedicated pair of reading glasses might be the way to go.

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    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter Judy Canty's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rburckhardt
    Same here. I'm using progressives now and at my last check-up it was suggested I get a dedicated pair for computer work. For you, a dedicated pair of reading glasses might be the way to go.
    Just out of curiosity, who did the fitting and adjustments? ;)

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    Great One Judy

    :cheers: Good call Judy!!Was it look into the mirror and measure with the yardstick?
    Or was it milk some poor optician of time (waste of) and money.:bbg:


    Fezz
    :cheers:

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    ATO Member OPTIDONN's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Judy Canty
    Just out of curiosity, who did the fitting and adjustments? ;)
    Oh common Judy! You know that these things don't matter or at least thats how some of these online places feel!:angry: I get real tired of fixing thier mistakes and telling the patient the seg height is incorrect and theres nothing I can do about it! These companies have no right selling bifocals and progressive lenses online without a seg height!!!

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    Bad address email on file mhboptics's Avatar
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    First, I would make sure you have a good quality PAL(i.e. Physio, Creation, etc.). If you do, then a seperate pair would be fine. I don't believe you would have any problems using bi-focals or reading glasses in addition to your PAL's, the only thing you would loose is your intermediate vision.

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    Master OptiBoarder Cindy K's Avatar
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    Your OD is correct in saying that bifocals would be fine for NOW (key word, NOW) but once your reading add reaches +2.00 you're going to be lacking that intermediate area that you have with progressives. Trifocals are certainly a viable option at that point, but there's MANY factors to consider, and much discussion with your optician will need to be accomplished at that point in time. Adapting to progressive with a +2.00 add is FAR more tedious than adapting earlier on as one tends to 'grow into' progressives. However, having said that, with each increase in add power with progressives you will experience a narrowing of the intermediate (and shortening of this particular zone as well) and reading areas, and an increase in the peripheral blur zone.

    Most persons adjust grandly to trifocals, because if I fit them with trifocals, they will have a demonstrated need for that lens design due to their occupation, hobbies, activities, etc. These people will go into the trifocal (whether it be coming out of progressives or bifocals) with the full knowledge of the advantages and limitations of these lenses and will have made an educated decision. Trifocals are virtually never used on add powers under +2.00 as there is no need for them until then.


    A pair of single vision readers would be a great asset to you at this point, BUT, I'm curious, why you are experiencing difficulty reading having only a +1.50 add. Finding the sweet spot and keeping your eyes within it should not be a problem. THAT problem usually only surfaces with the higher add powers.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Cindy K
    A pair of single vision readers would be a great asset to you at this point, BUT, I'm curious, why you are experiencing difficulty reading having only a +1.50 add. Finding the sweet spot and keeping your eyes within it should not be a problem. THAT problem usually only surfaces with the higher add powers.
    (Sorry for the long answer and all the other questions. )

    I had varilux panamics for the first two pairs and this time switch OD. When looking for a different OD, I tried using the advice from the form and asking the questions like are the opticians licensed, etc but it turns out most of my dealings has been with the OD instead and the lens selection was all done by him not the optician:(. I told the OD my problem with reading for a page or two then feeling things not quite in focus so I blink and try to find the good spot again. I also made sure and got a frame with a fitting height of at least 20.

    So first the OD increase my distance and the add and put in Hoya CD lenses but with these lenses I notice a lot of distortion/swim (never had swim in the panamic).

    He then decreased the distance a little, lowered fitting height and change to a Hoya Summit ECP lens (with Super Hivision AR). These lenses are ok but notice the text will tilt if I look back and forth through the lower part of the lenses (I understand it will be blurry except in the sweet spot but I never noticed the tilting of text in my panamics) So is the tilting because I now have more add or does that vary depending on the lens type?

    With my old or new pair if I blink some then close one eye I seem to have more problem getting my right eye to find the sweet spot then the left. My OD says that closing one eye is not a valid test. So I am hoping that using something with a bigger area will help my problem.

    I don't know if I just take the eye test wrong, just picky (thats what my wife thinks :)) or just expecting too sharp of image while I read.

    I told him still struggling with reading so he has ordered a pair of lenses with a 1.75 add (he gets free remakes from his supplier).

    So if I am still struggling when reading much, I will get try getting a pair of reading glasses or maybe pair of magnifier glasses.

    If I get reading glasses, is there a cheap AR I can get to cut down the glare from the lights in the room? (can not see spending as much for the AR as the lens) (will getting the lens tinted help?)

    Thanks for all of your replies.

    Tom

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    Tom-

    I personally don't like the Panamic. My patients seem to do better in the Comfort. But if you are use to the Panamic that could have a little to do with it.

    However, if you do like to read alot or do any extensive "concentration" type work I would suggest going with some Single Vision lens or maybe even a computer progressive like the Interview if you wanted something a little nicer that give you both intermediate and near vision.

    Also, just an after thought. If you just switched places you buy your glasses from there is a good chance the OD or Optician is placing your progressive a little bit too high. This will cause you to get into the narrow part of the lens faster.

    I have fixed similiar complaints to yours many times by just lowering a progressive lens down.
    MOJO :cheers:

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    Thumbs up So if I am still struggling when reading much......................

    Quote Originally Posted by tom moxa
    So if I am still struggling when reading much, I will get try getting a pair of reading glasses or maybe pair of magnifier glasses.
    Get yourself a pair large segment straight top bifocals 28 or 35.................the top adjusted for computer distance...................and you will be happy for ever................easy redaing and good computer vision. No need for AR neede but maybe a light tint might help against fatigue.

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    there is no suv of glasses. Progressives for some work for everything. But for most, having a good pair of readers or lined bifocals just for sitting down to read will really make you feel better. just like transistions are great but they dont compare to a good pair of polarized. It's not uncommon for people to have 2 or 3 pairsof glasses. (and to be honest when your bifocal gets too high sometimes progressives will not cut it for reading, just depending on your vision and what you want to use your glasses for)

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    Quote Originally Posted by tom moxa

    With my old or new pair if I blink some then close one eye I seem to have more problem getting my right eye to find the sweet spot then the left. My OD says that closing one eye is not a valid test. So I am hoping that using something with a bigger area will help my problem.

    Tom
    If you close one eye and center your "sweet spot" on a large page of print, then close the other and you have to move your head significantly to find it's sweet spot, the p.d.s and/or the seg heights are not correct.

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    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter Judy Canty's Avatar
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    You and your ECP should be discussing this.

    Consumers are allowed to post on the Board, as long as the posts concern general eyecare related topics. However please be aware that any questions that involve diagnosing specific eyecare and eyewear problems are not appropriate for an online discussion forum. These kinds of questions should be discussed with a qualified eyecare professional who has examined you and is familiar with your situation. Posts asking for diagnostic help will be closed or removed.

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    Quote Originally Posted by tom moxa

    I asked the eye doctor about getting a pair of bifocals (in my old frames) to use for book reading and such. He suggested not switching to bifocals as now it would be ok (I am far sighted) but as I get older bifocals would not be enough and that no one likes trifocals so it was better to try to stay in the progressive.

    So do most people have problems with trifocals?

    Can I switch between bifocals and a pal as needed or will this cause me to get out of practice on the pal?

    Thanks
    Tom
    Trifocals work just fine, and if your doc thinks "no one likes" them, he is flat wrong. And yes, you can switch between bi and pal without a big problem.

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    Tom ever thought about bifocal contact lenses??

    Quote Originally Posted by tom moxa View Post
    I have had progresives lenses for 5 years but as the add has increased (on my 3rd pair now, up to 1.5, started at .75 ) I find that reading for pleasure is a pain as I am always trying to find the correct place in the lenses.

    I asked the eye doctor about getting a pair of bifocals (in my old frames) to use for book reading and such. He suggested not switching to bifocals as now it would be ok (I am far sighted) but as I get older bifocals would not be enough and that no one likes trifocals so it was better to try to stay in the progressive.

    So do most people have problems with trifocals?

    Can I switch between bifocals and a pal as needed or will this cause me to get out of practice on the pal?

    Thanks
    Tom
    Tom have you ever thought about bifocal or multifocal contact lenses? There are so many options out there now and with the convenience of daily, weakly or even monthly wear schedules, you might never want to wear bifocal glasses again. For more info click here.
    Sean

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    Oh, Yeah!

    Most patients have enough accomodation that a trifocal or progressive is not needed until the add reaches 1.75 or 2.00. This means the patient can still see intermediate distances such as the computer. A bifocal should be fine and give much wider and clearer vision at near. The only reasons we put progressives on patients with low adds are: We get more money. The patient doesn't like to be identified as being old enough for bifocals. We get more money. We want the patient to be "broken in to the distortions and restrictions of progressives by the time they get old enough to really need a progressive or bifocal. We get more money. A few people in this business actually believe "the technology" has advanced so much in progresssives that they offer superior vision to bifocals.

    Gee, I can hardly wait for the defences and denials of this in subsequent posts.

    Chip

  19. #19
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    You know don't you that this thread is almost a year old?

  20. #20
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Happylady View Post
    You know don't you that this thread is almost a year old?
    They can't read the post dates - they're probably wearing PALs instead of bifocals ...



    Who is this man? Find out at OptiBoard's Word Of The Day!
    Last edited by rinselberg; 06-02-2007 at 05:16 PM.

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