new thread
Well, I went to my eye doctor today to have my annual eye exam, and it turns out I need glasses. More specifically, bifocals. Apparently, I have an astigmatism (and something else that else with a prism) that makes it so it's hard to see at distances (20/40), and I'm also near sided, having a focusing problem with objects up close.
However, I've heard that bifocals are really hard to get adjusted to, and that some people just flat-out hate them. Some people even went as far as to get two pairs of classes--one for normal wear, and one for reading. However, that seems really inconvenient, and not practical in the slightest.
Anyway, I'm just curious as to if there are any people here who wear bifocals, and what they thought of them. Is it hard to get used to them? I'll be getting progressive bifocals, which are bifocals, but they look like normal glasses. However, I'm just worried that I'll won't be able to adjust to them, and will lose the money spent on them. So, what do you think?
Also, on a side note. Does hair and the glasses hinge cause problems for anyone? Getting hairs caught in there doesn't look fun in the slightest.
I have just regular lenses, so I can't advise on the bifocals, but speaking to the part about getting hair caught in the hinges, it really sucks. However, if it does happen, just be gentle. Also, if your glasses have the little nose guard thingies on them, don't wear your glasses on top of your head. THAT will really cause some damage.
That being said, you won't ever see pics on here of me wearing glasses. =P
-James
Do you mean the doctor has prescribed prisms on your lenses? Do you have double vision at distances, more than just "blurriness"? I spent the past 3 weeks with double vision from a head injury. When I saw the ophthalmologist 2 weeks ago, he said that if the degree of divergence stayed the same, I'd need to get a prism. I could read close up but it was freaky to see roads forking that never had before. Fortunately, my vision has gone back to normal (good thing, I was going nuts not able to drive).
~waves her hand~ Me! Me! Me! Last spring, I realized I was having to "play the trombone" when reading. I refused to accept my age, and feared tripping over things at the farm, so I went for a pair for distances and a pair for close/reading. It works for me, since I'm either spending time with distance vision -- driving, computer, tv -- or reading or other close up work. If you're a student in a classroom, it would be a hassle to switch from close for the books and distance for the blackboard.
Oh, yah, this sucketh to the maximuth, especially when the hair is caught closer to its root, so you can't get the glasses off your face far enough to fold the temple pieces and release the hair. This happens with any type of glasses. And if you use a chain or something to keep the pairs around your neck, you get your long hair twisted between the chains/straps. Just sayin'.
As an alternative, my best friend's son is in high school and needs bifocals. He's a jock so he has contacts for distance vision, and just adds a pair of reading glasses for up close. Would that work for you?
I've been wearing bifocals since I was seven years old, (I'm well over 50 now), and progressives for the last 12 years. There's a short period of adjustment, buy you get used to them quite quickly. The pleasures of seeing clearly will quickly offset any discomfort.
Hey Brandon
After years of wearing glasses for just being nearsighted, I had to get my first bifocals with progressive lenses. I was nervous about being able to adjust (and concerned about the cost.)I had no problem adjusting to them and appreciate being to read easily once again. I'm sure you'll have no trouble adjusting to them and your friend won't know you're wearing bifocals. :-)
I've worn glasses since I was 15 (48 now) largely because of an astigmatism. At first, it was accompanied by mild nearsightedness like yours, but since my 40's also a slight farsightedness (focusing up close).
I have worn graduated lenses for the last 7-8 years, and I like them, and don't find them terribly difficult to adjust to. Graduated lenses are bifocals, sort of. That is, instead of two different lenses with a hard line dividing them, them, there is one piece of glass cut so that different parts of the lens allows you varying prescription strengths for close up, computer distance, farther away, etc.
They are more expensive. And as for hair getting caught in the hinge--not much of a problem if the frames are well made (more expensive!).
I usually go through a couple of hours of adjustment when my prescription changes.
Good luck,
Bob
I also have progressives (2nd pair) and I am happy with them. The progressive lense works well if the glasses are fitted right. The first pair I had was not adjusted correctly and my focal point for close-up work was all the way to the bottom of the lense. The 2nd ok. If when you get them home and after a breaking in period, they don't seem right, go back in and have them adjusted. As far as hinges are concerned, I have a fairly good frame and I never have hair caught in them. They are the spring loaded type and they are worth every penny. If you accidently get bumped on the head, let say in sports or work, they just spring back instead of bending.
Good luck,
Bruce
(I also have reading glasses that I bought because of the trouble I had with the 1st pair, but I never use them)
I am in about the same catagory as are you now, though lucky for myself this hit much much later in life. Bifocals and I must be allegeric to ea. other and I could not adjust to them. Just wearing them for 30 minutes would make me feel sick. So, in my case the solution was wearing no glasses! (One exception. A pair for distance is always kept within the car.)
I was one of those who couldn't deal with them I have a pair for reading and a pair for driving. The downside is my driving pair not good for reading so when I look down at the speedometer it's all blurry which explains why I drive to fast.
Although you don't want to spend the money needlessly I would suggest trying them and giving it your all to get used to them. I tried wearing mine for a whole two weeks to no avail, but you might be ok you never know.
Kevin
I wear the progressive ones also, it takes awhile to fine the sweet spot with you eyes instead of looking up and down all the time. It tires my eyes too, so every few hours I take them off and give my eyes a rest. And yes I wonder why my temples are hurting at times, come to find out a hair has gotten caught in the hinge.
"Welcome To The World Of Glasses"
I had to get bi-focals about three years ago, and I was worried, like you, that they would be hard to get used to. Fortunately, I didn't have any problems at all.
My optometrist to be careful, especially walking downs stairs. Some people do have trouble judging distance at first. However, it's not a permanent thing.
As for hair getting caught in the glasses...never had an issue with that.
Hi Brandon,
I know with the other comments some people do wear glasses and it's something you have to get used to. I know in about 12 months time I'll need glasses for reading as I'm longsighted. As for hair getting caught in hinges I know that does happen with sunglasses and I've got used to that.
I hope that helps.
Cheers,
John.B
Can't speak to most of your questions, but I have had issues with the glasses getting caught in my hair. Not so much the hing part (that's only happened once), but the ear pieces snag really easily when I'm taking them off if my hair is in a tail. I just remove them more gently and slowly and the problem is solved.
Mouse
I've worn progressive tri-focals for years and never had a problem adjusting to them. Any pair of glasses I've ever worn (since age 14) have frames that are hinged just behind the lenses so I can't imagine how one's hair would ever get caught.
Bifocals do take a bit of getting used to. It's a matter of knowing where to look through when you are looking at things close and far away. Practice makes perfect.
I also know some people who prefer having two pairs of glasses
so it's really up to you.
Good Luck
I have been wearing bifocals since I was 18 and when computer screens came along, I switched to blended trifocals. The adjustment time is brief and once you are accustomed to them, they are wonderful. My glasses are also photo-gray, so they adjust to sunlight (pretty important in the desert). With polymer lenses and titanium frames, you hardly know they are there.
They only hair trouble is if you get in the habit of taking them on and off frequently.
Personally, I think glasses look great on guys.
Go for it, your whole world will be crisper and brighter !
WWT
i wore bifocals for years, starting when i was just six years old. i also had astigmatism. it takes a couple of weeks to adjust to them, but it's not that bad. during junior high, i switched to contact lenses. the kind that i had (gas permeable - a cross between soft and hard lenses) were made for people with astigmatism. they literally reshape your eyes. i had a lot of luck with those. i wore them until about six years ago, when i had lasik done.