Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Trifocal vs. Bifocal

  1. #1
    OptiBoard Novice
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Michigan
    Occupation
    Consumer or Non-Eyecare field
    Posts
    2

    Trifocal vs. Bifocal

    Hello all, I am a contact lens tech, so I decided to come here for some spec advice.
    My Mom has had numerous problems with progressive lenses. After switching materials, and numerous other attempts from the optician she is working with, she has decided to go to bifocals or trifocals. So her question is, when switching from a progressive lens, which would be the best for her to switch to, bifocal or trifocal? Could you give me the pro's and con's of each? I would like give her as much info as possible. Thanks!

  2. #2
    Bad address email on file
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Columbus, Ohio
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    759
    Your Mom probably needs a trifocal. If she gets only a bifocal, she will lose the intermediate zone and not be able to see at an arms length distance. A bifocal has focal points which are very near and far away. A trifocal has those plus an extra segment for the "arms length" distance. (which would be for a computer and such) Visit a reputable Optician and they can, based on her prescription, explain things a bit further. Without all the specifics, it's hard to say exactly what she needs.

  3. #3
    OptiBoard Professional Mike Fretto's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Shelby, North Carolina, USA
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    233
    Sometimes an independent opinion on the fit of the original glasses can reveal a fitting issue that the original optician or fitter may be reluctant to admit. We see several written rx's leave our office for purchases elswhere only to reappear with problems. The optician/fitter says there is nothing wrong with the glasses it must be the Drs. RX so the come back to us wanting to see the Dr. again after carefull examination of the eyewear we find either height or horizontal allignment issues. Your mother may want to take the glasses somewhere else to have them checked as the previous post mentions a reputable OPTICIAN there are to many people out there fitting progressives that dont have a clue of proper procedures. Just my two cents good luck
    Mike

  4. #4
    Optician Extraordinaire
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Somewhere warm
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    3,130
    If your mom's add is +2.00 or stronger then she probably won't be able to see arms length well with a bifocal. This doesn't mean she will need a trifocal, lots of people do just fine without this distance being corrected well.

    Trifocals often work better at computers then bifocals, but if the computer screen is straight ahead then even with a trifocal she will need to raise her chin and might find a separate pair of glasses works best for this.

    I will often put the near prescription in a trial frame so the patient can look through it in the real world. Often near only without intermediate does just fine. Lots of people find the double lines and double image jump annoying. Plus there is less distance area in a trifocal.

    However, I have fit lots of trifocals over the years and if correction at this distance is needed most people do fine with trifocals.

  5. #5
    Manuf. Lens Surface Treatments
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    in Naples FL for the Winter months
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    23,240

    Make it simple and let your mother.......................

    Quote Originally Posted by KMK
    .....................when switching from a progressive lens, which would be the best for her to switch to, bifocal or trifocal? Could you give me the pro's and con's of each?
    When switching from a pal to a lined bifocal it will be another getting used to period. By getting a trifocal you are doubling the getting used effect and maybe confusion about it.

    Make it simple and let your mother get used to a regular bifocal with a larger than regular near segment, at least 28mm. A bit later down the road she will have an easy time to get adjusted to a trifocal if really needed.

    It is also a less expensive solution.

  6. #6
    OptiBoard Novice
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Michigan
    Occupation
    Consumer or Non-Eyecare field
    Posts
    2
    My Mom's RX is +1.00 +1.25 X180 +2.25 add OD

    +1.00 +.75 X175 +2.25 add OS

    My Mom was able to successfully wear Progressives before after switching materials to the "Spectralite" material The problems that she encountered with other progressive lenses was object distortion. i.e. circles would look like ovals etc... It seemed that the Spectralite design/material helped. But then, with this newest pair of specs, the object distortion has resurfaced. These are also made in Spectralite, although from what I understand, they have changed their material slightly? (I know contacts but not eyeglasses sorry!)
    So after several remakes, she is discouraged, and would like to try bifocals or trifocals. Thinking this may make things easier. We are in Michigan, don't know if someone here could take a look? Or any suggestions would be appreciated. Has anyone had a client with this object distortion before?

  7. #7
    Optician Extraordinaire
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Somewhere warm
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    3,130
    Quote Originally Posted by KMK
    My Mom's RX is +1.00 +1.25 X180 +2.25 add OD

    +1.00 +.75 X175 +2.25 add OS

    My Mom was able to successfully wear Progressives before after switching materials to the "Spectralite" material The problems that she encountered with other progressive lenses was object distortion. i.e. circles would look like ovals etc... It seemed that the Spectralite design/material helped. But then, with this newest pair of specs, the object distortion has resurfaced. These are also made in Spectralite, although from what I understand, they have changed their material slightly? (I know contacts but not eyeglasses sorry!)
    So after several remakes, she is discouraged, and would like to try bifocals or trifocals. Thinking this may make things easier. We are in Michigan, don't know if someone here could take a look? Or any suggestions would be appreciated. Has anyone had a client with this object distortion before?
    What progressive is she wearing? What was she wearing before? Spectralite has not changed to my knowledge. Are you sure she is in Spectralite which is an aspheric 1.54 index? There are only a couple of progressives that come in Spectralite.
    Last edited by Happylady; 05-31-2006 at 12:28 PM.

  8. #8
    Bad address email on file
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Columbus, Ohio
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    759
    You have to understand that unless it's the same frame, rx, lens, and measurements the glasses will be different no matter what. They haven't changed the Spectralite material, actually they're fasing it out from what I hear. So, it's probably a combination of things going on. Take the glasses back and voice your concerns and the problems she's having. There's a reason why this is happening and your Optician will be able to find out.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Bifocal Conversion- announcing Varilux LIBERTY
    By Pete Hanlin in forum Optical Product Review Forum
    Replies: 25
    Last Post: 06-16-2006, 09:16 AM
  2. Bi-concave bifocal advisable?
    By Andrew Weiss in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 02-17-2006, 04:50 PM
  3. Round Poly Transitions V Bifocal
    By Cherry Optical in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 12-22-2005, 07:37 AM
  4. Mixing monovision and bifocal contact
    By Elmo Sprinkleme in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 12-12-2004, 10:11 PM
  5. lab ? prism in distance only of a Bifocal?
    By Refractingoptician.com in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 04-25-2003, 09:21 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •