Bifocals or progressives or single vision

[RedStickHam]

I got a new prescription a couple of days ago. I'm
nearsighted(strongest lens -3.25) with astigmatism in both eyes, and
got +1.00 in the ADD column. This is the first prescription where
I've had something in the ADD column and I am starting to have trouble
reading small print. I've ordered a pair of single vision glasses
from EyeBuyDirect, but am wondering if I should eventually order
bifocals or progressives, or maybe just get reading glasses. I looked
at ordering progressives on 39dollarglasses and found the process
confusing. I was also told if I have trouble reading while wearing my
contact lenses, I could use some of the +1 readers if I wanted to.

I've never had bifocals or progressives and from what I have been
reading, they sound like they might be hard to learn how to use. Are
they really hard to learn to use? Would they be worth it with a
correction that isn't very strong like mine?

I've bought single vision glasses from four different
companies(39dollarglasses, EyeBuyDirect, CoastalContacts, and
GlassesUSA) and had good luck with all of them. Who is good for
bifocals or progressives? My boss bought a set of bifocals from
WalMart and she said they barely have any reading area, mainly because
the lenses aren't very tall. I guess I'd have to get a taller lens if
I want to get these kinds of glasses.

I know I'm all over the place, but this is new to me. I got warned at
my last exam I was getting close, looks like I'm there now. I've
heard it's normal once you pass 40(I'm 43).

Group has been quite lately, maybe we should get some chatter going.

[Steve]

I’ve had very good luck buying bifocals online, so here’s a try at
answering some of your questions. (I tried progressives once and
didn’t really try hard to get used to them. I think the whole idea
behind them is wrong for me, but some people love them - maybe one of
them will respond here.)

Zenni Optical has great prices, and I love the bifocals I’ve gotten
from them. They only charge $17 extra for bifocal lenses, and even
their under-$10 frames are very good. With prices so low, maybe you
could afford two pair with different ADD strengths or one pair of
bifocals and a pair of reading glasses just to get a feel for what
works. Even if you only "need" an ADD of +1, it could be that +1.50 or
even +2.00 suits you given where you like to hold a book, whether you
sometimes read in not-so-well-lit places, or whether you sometimes
need to do close work like threading needles.

What works and whether bifocals are worth it at all depends on many
things - is it simple to keep reading glasses or a magnifying glass
handy instead? On the road, or if you go back and forth between close
and far frequently, bifocals are great, though. And at Zenni prices,
why not find out. (Bifocals aren’t very helpful for close work in the
up direction, of course.)

As far as adapting goes: For me, it was easy. Frames with an
adjustable nose piece are a good idea, so you can get the line to be
in exactly the right place. (At the bottom of the windshield for
driving, maybe a bit lower for a balcony seat in the theatre.) It’s
possible bifocals were easy for me because I used to read without
glasses or by looking underneath my lenses. My sense is that few
people have much trouble adapting.

As for the small reading area, my frames have lens heights of 33-35mm,
and the stronger D-shaped part is big enough. I wouldn't go with
anything below 30mm high, even if the retailer will let you. At least
one online retailer (I forget which) lets you choose between two
different D-section sizes, and another (or that same one) provides a
couple of options about where the line goes. Since Zenni bifocals work
for me, I haven't looked into those options again. Once I saw Ben
Franklin type half/half bifocals somewhere and was tempted, then lost
the bookmark.

For the record, my prescription is a bit weaker than yours: -.75 sp, -.
75 cyl in one eye and only astigmatism (-1.75 cyl) in the other eye.
At age 54, my ADD is about +2.25 (unfortunately, things progress like
clockwork). I’m basically down to zero accommodation now, and I can’t
use my bifocals for middle distances. So it gets complicated, or fun,
depending on how you see it. For computer work or helping students
over-the-shoulder, I wear special-purpose glasses. I have computer
glasses that are +1.25 on top of my full prescription, and if what I'm
doing is all at one distance, I like having the entire field of view
in focus. For teaching, I have glasses with different prescriptions in
each eye. I even have some super-reading glasses that are +3.50 beyond
my full prescription to use for things like changing a watch battery
or sewing a button! At under $10/pair, why not...)

I don't wear contact lenses, but as your ability to focus close
diminishes, you will have at least two choices: change one of the lens
prescriptions to work for reading (mono-vision) so you can read with
your contacts, or use readers (buy those online, too - better quality
and frame choices at a much lower price than the drugstore).
Personally, I don't like having my eyes differently-focused unless I
have to, but some people don't mind.

So there's my all-over-the-place answer.

Steve

[Annie He]

Even the newest edge cutting technology claims that the 13mm will be
high enough for a progressive lens, it is safe to select a frame with
lens high of 30mm and above. Don't try to calculate the OD/OS sphere
when you just want to have a single vision reading glasses. Just input
the full prescription as you have from doctor, those online web stores
shall have it calculated by their optician.

[ehb]

Having worn bifocals, trifocals, and progressives I would have to say
go with progressives. They don't take that long to get used to and are
much more convenient that switching between reading, computer, and
distance glasses. Stay away from very narrow height frames and for the
first pair you get you might want to go to a brick and mortar so you
know what a prperply adjusted pair of progrssives are like. I would
also recommend a free from lens since it will have a larger viewing
area.
Realize that the add will get stronger as you get older so you might
as well get used to progressive lenses (and multifocal contacts or
monovision correction) now!

[RedStickHam]

Thank you for your comprehensive answer. I bought bifocals online
from GlassesUSA.com. They were more expensive than the other online
shops, but cheaper than eye doctor or the mall, and they are of
excellent quality. I started using them and they seem to work fine.
I am adapting to them for the most part, but have to get used to
looking down with my head and not just my eyes. I can read more
comfortably with them too. When I wear contacts, I use +1 readers
which I bought from the drugstore. I should have bought them online
because even though they work, the optics on them aren't very good.
If I turn my head while using them, it's like looking through a
fisheye lens.

Even though I am getting used to the bifocals, I can see some
situations where wearing a single vision lens would be better, so I'm
going to order a pair with single vision lenses. I'm also considering
ordering a pair with a prescription for computer use, since I spend a
lot of time online, and/or a pair of single vision readers. I looked
at Zenni and they have good prices and after a couple of bad
experiences with EyeBuyDirect and 39Dollarglasses, I'm looking for a
new vendor to try. I looked at CoastalContacts, whom I've bought from
before, but couldn't find anything I liked with my sizing
requirements. I need a large frame with 145 temples and many shops,
both brick and mortar and online, don't carry a lot of frames like
that except in clunky looking plastic. Since I started buying online,
I've started trying metal frames and like them better, and my wife
likes the fact I wear fashionable glasses now since at these prices, I
can afford them.

It's great we have this forum to help each other out with our online
glasses purchases. I've learned a lot here. Thank you.

RedStickHam

[MattR]

Hello people! I was looking through the forums and din't really see
anywhere great to get glasses online! Last pair i bought from my
doctor were around $400! I don't know what to do since i need a new
pair.. any suggestions??? I see a few places closed down already.