Monovision CL -------> PAL for everyday wear

[Kujiradesu]

Had a customer the other day who was looking to get PALs in spectacles for all-the-time wear.

Upon further discussion I found out a few things:

-What she really wants is a something she can wear in her car so she can see distance and intermediate distance (i.e. GPS).

-She doesn't wear reading spectacles now and doesn't want to start.

-For the past five years, at least, she has worn monovision contact lenses and wants to continue wearing them as she switches back and forth between the PALs that she planned on getting.

-She already has a pair of distance spectacles that she is happy with that she wears over her monovision contacts, and wants multifocal lenses that work in a similar way.

-Her RX did not say "for wear over monovision CLs" or some other indication of how she would be wearing them.


Needless to say I was a very confused about what I should recommend to her so that she could see in the situations that were most important to her. I initially suggested that she reconsider weather PALs would be a good fit especially with the adjustment she would have to make moving from monovision CLs all the time to PAL spectacles all the time. I suggested the consideration of a lined bifocal over her monovision CLs for distance and intermediate that she just wear when in the car, but for some reason she dismissed that option outright.

This customer dismissed my cautioning and decided to get the PALs for all-the-time wear with the intention of switching between them and her monovision CLs. I have the distinct feeling that she will be unhappy with her choice.

Suggestions? Considerations? Would you have handled this differently?

[drk]

It should work out OK.

[Robert Martellaro]

-What she really wants is a something she can wear in her car so she can see distance and intermediate distance (i.e. GPS).

Age and Rx are needed, so I'll makeup a few specifics.

Age 55, Rx -2.50 sph add +2.25 OU. CLs are fit on K with Rt -2.50 Lt -.50.

Refract over the Cls with an object distance of 24". Results will be about OD Plano Sph OS -1.25. Call them SVDO or driving eyeglasses with distance and intermediate only capability, for wear only over the CL's.

There are other possible solutions, including but not limited to translating RGPs and aspherics.

A back-up pair of general purpose eyeglasses would be prudent, maybe essential depending on the Rx.

Hope this helps,

Robert Martellaro

[AngeHamm]

For all the specifics of your customer's requests, it comes down to "I want clear vision at multiple distances." She may believe that she is a special snowflake, but it sure sounds like she just needs a good pair of utterly routine PALs.

[drk]

If you provide the distance refraction and add, we can be more helpful...

[Happylady]

I wore mono vision contacts and progressives for years and switched back and forth with no issues.