bifocals etc. argh
 

I'm 47, the age for bifocals. But they're not working for me. My neck is weak, and I need to be able to see out of any portion of the lens so that I can rest my head while I read. In addition, even though my eyes are only mildly affected by MG, I feel the strain if I have to read with them held pointed in a downward position.

This is driving me nuts. My plan is to keep my distance glasses so I can (for instance) watch a movie lying down, or with my head resting back; use my bifocals only when I have to (when I'm teaching, and need to be able to look between my textbook and my students' faces); and buy from a cheap internet site both a pair of reading glasses and a pair of computer glasses (for mid-distance).

That makes four pairs of glasses. Is this really necessary? Am I imagining all of this neck- and eye-strain--will I get used to it if I give it some time?

Abby

I have 3 pair that I am constantly switching! One for distance only (watching TV in recliner), close up only (reading) and bi-focals with distance and closeup only. I had cataracts repaired several years ago and the doc set my eyes to mid-range so I can use my computer without glasses at all - so in essence, I have 4 different sets of requirements for my eyes. To add to the confusion, I have bad DV in my right eye so all my glasses have the right lens ground down so I can't see out of it at all and when I'm on my computer, I wear a patch.

But, at least, I can see - thank the Lord!

Hello to you both,
Have you ever tried progressive lenses?
I´ve been fitted with them for more than 10 years and I´m quite satisfied.
Maurice.

I had progressive lenses, but the problem is they don't work if you are only using one eye - they are made for both eyes to be used together - or so the opth explained to me. So, when I started having DV all the time, I had to go to the old fashioned bi-focals and they don't work when you are lying down and trying to read or watch TV from a reclining position (or at least, they don't work for me!)

Thanks for the suggestion!

re: glasses
 

I tried the progressive lenses earlier this year for about 3 weeks and went back to bifocals. Didn't like them because the visual field for great vision was a very, very thin vertical line , if I looked to the side everything was blurry. It really bothered me when driving, at an intersection and having to see if anyone was approaching from the side.

I wear my bifocal glasses out and about. For reading and for the computer I use reading glasses that are a little weaker than the prescription in my bifocal. The reading glasses keep me from having to tilt my head back on the computer(which gives me a headache and neck ache).

My husband tried the progressive lenses and also didn't like them. He actually has trifocals (with two lines). But he is happy he can see everything with one pair of glasses now and wishes he had done so sooner.

I have progressives and prisms and do pretty well. I do have to push them right up my nose as far as they can go on bad days. Sometimes my eyelashes even touch the glasses, but so far it seems to work

kathie

I have a pair of progressive lenses to use for most things. I change to a pair of intermediate lenses for using my computer and reading music. It hurts my neck to try to hold it right to use the progressives for the computer.

Exactly! I have discovered that MG gives you special lens requirements. I bought a pair of intermediate lenses for the computer, too, so I can rest my neck in any position while using the computer. What a bargain. I used one of those "first pair free" internet companies--it would make me nervous to send away for my regular glasses this way, but it seemed like a good idea for computer glasses. Highly recommended.

Abby