Speaking of Vision -- How 'bout Progressive Bifocals?

I have been flying with Varifocals (as we call them in the UK) for
more than 10 years. They never make me nauseous. I have asked my
optometrist to supply lenses with the widest area in focus(side to
side). I was warned that one of the problems was getting used to the
peripheral vision being in softer focus than with lines type bifocals.

In the UK the CAA discourages the use of varifocals because of the
peripheral vision difference.

I do remember a period of aclimatization when I first got them, not
retsricted to flying. However I have found that every change in
prescription has needed a few days at least to get used to it.

If you get on with them they will be fantastic.

Best wishes

Ian

In message .com
"Jay Honeck" wrote:

I have been forced to face the fact that I can no longer read a
sectional chart with my current glasses. It's been getting worse for
some time, but lately I've realized that it has become downright
dangerous. (Moreso driving a car, actually.)

So, it was off to the eye doctor, who said I would definitely benefit
from progressive (the ones with no lines in the glass) bifocals. When
I asked her about flying, she said that they would be excellent for
viewing the panel (one distance) *and* the charts (another, closer,
distance).

So, I ordered them.

Now, of course, I've talked to a pilot friend who tells me that
progressives totally suck, and will make me nauseous in the plane,
thanks to the eternally variable prescription!

So, what's the verdict from my fellow "old farts" on this group? Do
you guys wear "progressives"? Or do you prefer the "lined" bifocals?
LensCrafters has a 30 day money-back guarantee (I don't actually have
them, yet), so I can change my mind.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"



--
Ian Whitmore Please reply to iwhitmore at argonet dot co dot uk

Dr Ian Whitmore wrote:

I have been flying with Varifocals (as we call them in the UK) for
more than 10 years. They never make me nauseous. I have asked my
optometrist to supply lenses with the widest area in focus(side to
side). I was warned that one of the problems was getting used to the
peripheral vision being in softer focus than with lines type bifocals.

In the UK the CAA discourages the use of varifocals because of the
peripheral vision difference.

You make a good point. I didn't fully understand how progressives
worked when I first got mine. I thought the entire bottom of the lens
would be the near prescription and the top the far prescription and a
blending in between. Turns out, mine are more like a circular variation
with the bottom sliced off. The bottom center of my lenses are the
near prescription, but the left and right side of the bottom part of the
lenses is nearly the same as the far prescription on top. Maybe this is
done to facilitate better distance peripheral vision, but it sure means
a lot more head motion to keep things in focus in the 12-24" range.


Matt