New glasses as in spectacles

Message

T.C. · #1 Post by **T.C.** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 10:52 pm

Since the age of about 12 I have been long sighted so have had to wear glasses for close up work, but my distance vision has never been a problem until recently. I could not see 2 inches in front of my nose, but I could see a boil on a flys bum at 500 yards :whi5tl:

However over the past few months I have noticed that my eyes were not too clever on distance work so at as I was due my routine check up last week I suspected that I just needed a slightly stronger prescription.

Long story short, I need glasses all the time now as age has now caught up with me and my distance vision is not what it should be.

So I was recommended to try varifocals which would avoid the need for two pairs of glasses which made sense. Got lots of comments (especially from the Dragon in law) who said I would not like them as they would make me feel seasick, and I would not be able to see very well because of the way the different lenses are blended in.

Anyway, picked them up today, and nothing like I was expecting, quite the contrary, for the first time in a long time I can see everything clearly,

It was quite a revelation getting back into the car and being able to see things like the trip meter clearly and the clock.

Got home, no problem, sat down at my computer and found that instead at just glancing up at the screen I now have to actually move my head which is going to take a bit of getting used to.

But the most difficult thing is that every time I get up from my desk, I am still in the habit of taking off my glasses and forgetting that they are now on all the time. Mid afternoon I went into the kitchen and wondered whu I could not read a lable again and then realised that I had taken them off.

On the plus side, no more forgetting to take my glasses with me, or hooking them on the front of my shirt and they fall in a puddle when I lean over or putting them in a pocket and forgetting where I put them. :whi5tl:

But it is nice to be able to see properly again

blinkey501 · #2 Post by **blinkey501** » Sat Nov 22, 2014 7:43 am

Been wearing glasses now for ten years.

I decided to have my eyes tested on the advice of my dad as I was suffering from bad headaches.

I tend to find now that every two to three years my prescription has to be altered.

Doing welding in my job, even though I wear a welding screen does take its toll on your eyes as the years pass by.

I too am long sited, and I am led to believe it is that type of eye sight that causes more problems the older you get.

Dusty · #3 Post by **Dusty** » Sat Nov 22, 2014 9:01 am

Interesting to hear others' experiences. I've been wearing specs full time to correct short sight since I was about 7 with regular prescription updates throughout my life. A couple of years ago, I noticed that my close vision was also deteriorating. I hated the thought of two pairs of specs for different purposes, so I opted for varifocals. In the first week, I hated them for night driving and thought they weren't for me. However, the optician altered the vertical angle very slightly and I was sorted. Since then, they've been absolutely great and it didn't take long to adjust to the required vertical head angle adjustment. I find that the reduced lateral vision is the biggest inconvenience, requiring more angular rotation of the neck when looking over the shoulder.

jonnie_r · #4 Post by **jonnie_r** » Sat Nov 22, 2014 10:21 am

I've worn contact lenses for about 7 years now, make a huge difference when you have to stick your head in control cabinets. I used to get fed up knocking my glasses off due to the lack of peripheral vision.

Recently switched from monthly disposable to fortnightly and they are much better on the eyes for comfort. I even sleep with them in occasionally.

HisNibbs · #5 Post by **HisNibbs** » Sat Nov 22, 2014 10:40 am

Needed glasses for reading since my late 40s. Recently TV was getting a little fuzzy also so about 2 years ago got the best of the varifocal options offered. They took a little while to get used to and though I use them for everything else I preffer not to use them for driving or ridding.

Yes I have a problem reading the trip meter or small print on a satnav etc. but feel better able to judge distance and relative movement etc without the interference of the changing focal lengths.
That said I could use them for driving but I certainly haven't worked out how to put a helmet on or put them on while wearing one.

BikerGran · #6 Post by **BikerGran** » Sat Nov 22, 2014 7:31 pm

Like Dusty I've worn glasses since age 7 when I was found to be extremely shortsighted. In later life I found I was going to need three pairs of glasses, one for reading, one for distance, and another for the computer screen I worked at all day, and varifocals were suggested.

I was told it would take me 3 weeks to adjust to them but it took me 3 days and I still think they're amazing!

T.C. · #7 Post by **T.C.** » Sat Nov 22, 2014 9:41 pm

BikerGran wrote:Like Dusty I've worn glasses since age 7 when I was found to be extremely shortsighted. In later life I found I was going to need three pairs of glasses, one for reading, one for distance, and another for the computer screen I worked at all day, and varifocals were suggested.

I was told it would take me 3 weeks to adjust to them but it took me 3 days and I still think they're amazing!

I was told a month to adapt and if I found that I could not get on with them then I could change for 2 pairs of single lens glasses at no cost.

24 hours on and I have to say that I have not really had any issues and it is nice not to have to try and re-focus my eyes to watch the telly, or remember to pick up my glasses if I am going into another room to read something.

Old habits die hard, like everytime I get up from my desk I still take my glasses off and then remember that I no longer have to, and I am still adjusting to turning my head to look as something rather than just glancing, but I suppose after 40+ years that is to be expected and I will soon get out of the habit.

But so far so good, everything is looking pretty good (pardon the pun).

Dusty · #8 Post by **Dusty** » Sun Nov 23, 2014 8:27 am

I should probably have added that I also wear contact lenses; have done on and off for the past 35 years. They do offer a freedom and convenience for active pursuits including riding but as I get older, I seem to have less motivation to pop them in, probably because I would now need separate reading glasses. Back to where we started; the joy of varifocals!

MartDude · #9 Post by **MartDude** » Sun Nov 23, 2014 10:16 am

I had to start wearing glasses in my mid-teens (astigmatism & myopia), and I've become long-sighted as well in recent years. I've been wearing varifocals for about 5 years now; generally, I find them very convenient - it's good to be able to see the clocks and the road clearly, or to be able to switch between reading and
watching the TV without changing glasses. The lenses have improved considerably over the years - lateral, peripheral vision is much better now. The only downside I've encountered - and still encounter - is descending stairs - I still find that slightly disorientating.

That said I could use them for driving but I certainly haven't worked out how to put a helmet on or put them on while wearing one

Arai - most have a groove in the lining/padding which makes inserting spectacle arms much easier.
Flip-ups are even easier.
Best of all is a piss-pot - and the peripheral vision is so much better.

blinkey501 · #10 Post by **blinkey501** » Sun Nov 23, 2014 11:31 am

MartDude wrote:I had to start wearing glasses in my mid-teens (astigmatism & myopia), and I've become long-sighted as well in recent years. I've been wearing varifocals for about 5 years now; generally, I find them very convenient - it's good to be able to see the clocks and the road clearly, or to be able to switch between reading and
watching the TV without changing glasses. The lenses have improved considerably over the years - lateral, peripheral vision is much better now. The only downside I've encountered - and still encounter - is descending stairs - I still find that slightly disorientating.

That said I could use them for driving but I certainly haven't worked out how to put a helmet on or put them on while wearing one
Arai - most have a groove in the lining/padding which makes inserting spectacle arms much easier. Flip-ups are even easier. Best of all is a piss-pot - and the peripheral vision is so much better.

Totally agree mart

It was the main reason i bought an arai helmet.

Very comfy and practical

nicketynoo · #11 Post by **nicketynoo** » Sun Nov 23, 2014 12:22 pm

I have recently taken to wearing bi-foculs after years of only being short sighted but used to be able to keep my glasses on whilst reading. In the last 2 years I've found I started having to remove my glasses to read and suspected my eyes were actually getting better, after all having to remove glasses to see better should be a good thing right? wrong.
Anyway got some vari's and got on with them straight away , the optician said I would struggle to play golf while wearing these and he's right, he must have seen me playing before because I struggled without them too

Anyway with wearing a crash helmet the optician recommended I bought a pair of ultra expensive flexible frames that would be perfect for wearing under my helmet. They turned out not to be as perfect as he made out, the first time I removed them through the visor opening they left behind the rubber ear protectors ,which remained stuck behind my ears. That is until I removed my lid and watched in horror as one of them fell down a drain cover as was lost forever

Anyway took them back and optician had to order new frame just to get a new rubber bit. needless to say they are now glued on ( rubbers to the earpieces not glasses to my ears and nose! ha ha.)

BikerGran · #12 Post by **BikerGran** » Sun Nov 23, 2014 6:09 pm

I always take my lid with me when being fitted for new frames.

#13 Post by **mangocrazy** » Sun Nov 23, 2014 8:16 pm

I've also found that my Shoei XR1000 is brilliant for putting glasses on through the visor aperture. It seems as if they've given real thought to spectacle wearers in designing the padding. No more wondering whether I'm going to snap the arms off trying to force them on - they fit easily.

lazarus · #14 Post by **lazarus** » Mon Nov 24, 2014 2:19 pm

I have one eye short sighted and one eye long sighted which means in reality that I only have binocular vision over a limited fireld of view. But the brain is a wonderful thing - I never know that I have this problem unless I cover up one eye. The brain "switches" vison from one eye to the other according to which gives the sharpest image so apart from late at night in bad visibility or trying to do something like thread a needle, I dont need glasses as I approach 70.

Mind you I could do with another memory, a new pair of hands and some extra hair!