Bifocal wearers -- Advice needed, please!

[Andtototoo]

I've had Progressive lens style bifoals for four years, two different prescriptions. My frames are the same -- small rectangular, think Tina Fey style frames.

My first prescription gave me no trouble. I adjusted to it with no problem after the initial little bit of struggle going down stairs that had been covered with patterned carpeting.

My second prescription (which I've had for more than a year) has been giving me fits when I go down ANY stairs or step off one level to another. I feel like I'm having a LOT of depth perception problems. In fact, twice I've fallen stepping off a curb. Luckily in both cases, it was not a street curb, so I didn't fall into traffic or anything. But the first time, I did break my camera and the second time, I fell hard and had to twist to avoid hitting my head on a wall. I believe that in both cases I've been very lucky not to be more hurt and given that I already have a bad knee, the prospect of falling on it is of great concern to me.

I've been back to the eye doctor and he insists my prescription is fine and it's normal to have these problems and that I just need to be more careful. Thing is after the second fall, I experimented and discovered that I can only see my feet clearly when I'm walking if I bend my head at a 90 degree angle -- which is obviously unsafe too.

So my questions:
1. Is this normal -- to have to bend your head at a 90 degree angle to see your feet?
2. Would I be better off getting two sets of glasses -- one for reading/computer and the other for everything else?
3. Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[dngnb8]

I've had Progressive lens style bifoals for four years, two different prescriptions. My frames are the same -- small rectangular, think Tina Fey style frames.

My first prescription gave me no trouble. I adjusted to it with no problem after the initial little bit of struggle going down stairs that had been covered with patterned carpeting.

My second prescription has been giving me fits when I go down ANY stairs or step off one level to another. I feel like I'm having a LOT of depth perception problems. In fact, twice I've fallen stepping off a curb. Luckily in both cases, it was not a street curb, so I didn't fall into traffic or anything. But the first time, I did break my camera and the second time, I fell hard and had to twist to avoid hitting my head on a wall. I believe that in both cases I've been very lucky not to be more hurt and given that I already have a bad knee, the prospect of falling on it is of great concern to me.

I've been back to the eye doctor and he insists my prescription is fine and it's normal to have these problems and that I just need to be more careful. Thing is after the second fall, I experimented and discovered that I can only see my feet clearly when I'm walking if I bend my head at a 90 degree angle -- which is obviously unsafe too.

So my questions:
1. Is this normal -- to have to bend your head at a 90 degree angle to see your feet?
2. Would I be better off getting two sets of glasses -- one for reading/computer and the other for everything else?
3. Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

I had issues with focus when I got my new glasses. I have progressives. it has gotten better.

That being said, I have special driving glasses and script sunglasses. So I dont have to deal with the magnification issues when driving.

 

[mrsv98]

I have been wearing progressives for a few years now and to me it sounds like the line between near and far is too low in the lens. I know the change is supposed to be gradual but it seems like they started the transition too low on the lens which would absolutely mess up your depth perception. It shouldn't take more than a week or so to adjust and if you are falling then something needs to be done. I would take them to someone else and see what they say about the progression.

 

[kim929]

I have bifocals, and that is not normal. Sometimes the frame is to small they can't get it right. I had similar problems, couldn't see right, off balance I changed to regular bifocals and I haven't had that problem since.
Good luck, that is the weirdest feeling when you always feel off balance

 

[kathie859]

I have bifocals, and that is not normal. Sometimes the frame is to small they can't get it right. I had similar problems, couldn't see right, off balance I changed to regular bifocals and I haven't had that problem since.
Good luck, that is the weirdest feeling when you always feel off balance

This is the problem that I have!! My indoor glasses are soooo cute...small green rectangles with cut out side pieces BUT they are too small to accommodate my prescription. My huge sunglasses, otoh, are great for seeing. Next time, I'll get larger indoor frames to insure there's plenty of room for my seamless bifocal prescription.

 

[FINFAN]

I was just at the eye doctor last week for this same issue(only I wear gas permeable lenses)anyways, Iam not a good candidate for monovision lenses, so the next best thing would be bifocal. As soon as I pulled out my current glasses, the Dr. said, "you will be changing those frames out if you want success..they are too small to allow proper lenses for bifocals." I mentioned how strong my perscription is so the larger then lens, the heavier-even using the latest lightweight types. Right now, my budget does not allow me to purchase new frames and lenses, so I am using the standard *cheater* and they are either on top of my head or hanging from my neck, librarian style. DS begs me not to go in public with them hanging, lol...says they make me look 10 years older and not fun. Nice. So, yeah, another vote for going larger. Hey, a lot of looks are coming back from the 70's, maybe glasses will follow!

 

[Andtototoo]

Thanks for all the advice.

My frames are small, but I chose them based upon the advice of the technician. Plus they are the same frames I used with my earlier prescription which was fine. So I don't know that it's the size of the frame that's the problem.

I think I will go to another place (out of my insurance group) and see what they say. Being able to walk without falling is worth the extra money!

 

[Pooh67_68]

I think I will go to another place.

I was going to suggest this.

I have tri-focals and the same size glasses as before going to tri-focals, never had a problem adjusting to them.

 

[Disney Doll]

I just got progressives yesterday.
They are a little funky, but they told me to give them a week to get used to.

They did tell me though, that if I was going up and down stairs that I had to look down directly at my feet. I don't particularly care for that.

I also have a headache, but I have promised myself that I would give them a week or so before I decided anything.

What I can't used to is the blurriness on the sides. The way the optician explained them to me, the lens has an hourglass shaped area that is where the actual corrcetion happens and so there are areas of blurriness on either side...sort of my peripheral vision area.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I've had Progressive lens style bifoals for four years, two different prescriptions. My frames are the same -- small rectangular, think Tina Fey style frames.

My first prescription gave me no trouble. I adjusted to it with no problem after the initial little bit of struggle going down stairs that had been covered with patterned carpeting.

My second prescription (which I've had for more than a year) has been giving me fits when I go down ANY stairs or step off one level to another. I feel like I'm having a LOT of depth perception problems. In fact, twice I've fallen stepping off a curb. Luckily in both cases, it was not a street curb, so I didn't fall into traffic or anything. But the first time, I did break my camera and the second time, I fell hard and had to twist to avoid hitting my head on a wall. I believe that in both cases I've been very lucky not to be more hurt and given that I already have a bad knee, the prospect of falling on it is of great concern to me.

I've been back to the eye doctor and he insists my prescription is fine and it's normal to have these problems and that I just need to be more careful. Thing is after the second fall, I experimented and discovered that I can only see my feet clearly when I'm walking if I bend my head at a 90 degree angle -- which is obviously unsafe too.

So my questions:
1. Is this normal -- to have to bend your head at a 90 degree angle to see your feet?
2. Would I be better off getting two sets of glasses -- one for reading/computer and the other for everything else?
3. Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

I hate them and just cannot get used to them. This go round I went back to single vision. I like to lay down and watch TV. Progessive lenses don't work well with that activity.

And you would need 3 sets...reading, computer and regular. The computer glasses are new and way different that the other ones. I don't have them but they sound interesting.

 

[Sadie22]

I would think switching from progressive to bifocal would be confusing.

I wear one pair of progressive lenses. The second pair I got, with a new prescription, gave me problems similar to what you describe, OP. I called the office when the problem did not resolve by the next day, and went in to have the prescription rechecked. It was the correct prescription. It had been made with a different curve than the first ones I had. The doctor asked me to give it a few days. When the symptoms continued, they ordered new glasses with the original curve, at no additional charge to me.

The glasses were remade with the original curve, and then I had no more problems. You may want to get a new doctor who will be responsive to your needs. Your eyeglasses should not cause problems in walking.

Some people do get glasses just for the computer. Although I work on the computer all day, I only have the one pair. No need for special glasses, but nothing wrong with getting them. I just want to be able to get up and walk around and do other things without changing glasses.

 

[ragdoll]

My first two pairs of progressives took too long to get used to. Next time I went somewhere else and was so happy...I put them on and they were perfect right away. So a couple of months ago I went back to the same place expecting perfection. lol The glasses were terrible. They sent them back and did them over and they were still terrible. Got my money back and decided to wear what I have until I can't see out of them anymore. It is all so aggravating!

 

[Andtototoo]

I would think switching from progressive to bifocal would be confusing.

I wear one pair of progressive lenses. The second pair I got, with a new prescription, gave me problems similar to what you describe, OP. I called the office when the problem did not resolve by the next day, and went in to have the prescription rechecked. It was the correct prescription. It had been made with a different curve than the first ones I had. The doctor asked me to give it a few days. When the symptoms continued, they ordered new glasses with the original curve, at no additional charge to me.

The glasses were remade with the original curve, and then I had no more problems. You may want to get a new doctor who will be responsive to your needs. Your eyeglasses should not cause problems in walking.

Some people do get glasses just for the computer. Although I work on the computer all day, I only have the one pair. No need for special glasses, but nothing wrong with getting them. I just want to be able to get up and walk around and do other things without changing glasses.

It never occurred to me that there could be differences in the curve. Thanks for the tip about it. I will definitely check on that.

I have to admit that sometimes Lasik surgery seems very tempting.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I just got progressives yesterday.
They are a little funky, but they told me to give them a week to get used to.

They did tell me though, that if I was going up and down stairs that I had to look down directly at my feet. I don't particularly care for that.

I also have a headache, but I have promised myself that I would give them a week or so before I decided anything.

What I can't used to is the blurriness on the sides. The way the optician explained them to me, the lens has an hourglass shaped area that is where the actual corrcetion happens and so there are areas of blurriness on either side...sort of my peripheral vision area.

This is my problem. I was told you need to actually move your head as you read, etc. because only the middle section of the lenses is actually correct. It's so frustrating when I'm in work trying to proofread two pages side-by-side.

 

[Muushka]

Here is my tale of woe with progressive lenses.

Wore them for about 10 years. No problem. Went and got an eye exam and a new Rx. Got the glasses made. Picked them up.
Whoa! What the heck is going on with these glasses!!! The tech (at Sams, not where the eye exam was done) says "just wear them a few days, you will get used to them".

No way was I going to get used to them. I went back to the eye doc to be sure they wrote the Rx correctly and guess what? The eye doc had done the exam incorrectly, needed to repeat it and they were supposed to be calling me back for the repeat exam.

So I went back to Sams and they made the new glasses at no charge and they are perfect.

My suggestion would be to ask the eye doc to repeat the exam (as mine did). As a professional, they should do this for you. And hopefully they will admit it if they made a mistake.

 

[Andrea]

It could be the "brand" there are so many different "brands" and some are way better then the other. some of the brands are just awful. The "cheaper" the brand is the less vision you will have. Progressives are shaped like an hour glass ( if you could picture that in your head) the top being for distance, the middle for your inter. use and the bottom for your reading. You have no side vision in progressives, but the smaller your frame, and the "cheaper" brand will make that hour glass even smaller.

Not saying you bought cheaper progressive, because most people who do not work in the business has no idea there are different choice.

 

[Andtototoo]

It could be the "brand" there are so many different "brands" and some are way better then the other. some of the brands are just awful. The "cheaper" the brand is the less vision you will have. Progressives are shaped like an hour glass ( if you could picture that in your head) the top being for distance, the middle for your inter. use and the bottom for your reading. You have no side vision in progressives, but the smaller your frame, and the "cheaper" brand will make that hour glass even smaller.

Not saying you bought cheaper progressive, because most people who do not work in the business has no idea there are different choice.

They were the same (ridiculously expensive) price from the same place as the first pair. I've long since learned that at least in my case, there is a huge difference between cheaper glasses and more expensive ones.

In any case, I made an appointment with a different eye doctor. Couldn't get in until April, so I think I'll go back to my old glasses until then.

 

[LindaG4458]

I have been wearing progressives for a few years now and to me it sounds like the line between near and far is too low in the lens. I know the change is supposed to be gradual but it seems like they started the transition too low on the lens which would absolutely mess up your depth perception. It shouldn't take more than a week or so to adjust and if you are falling then something needs to be done. I would take them to someone else and see what they say about the progression.

I would agree. I've been wearing progressives for at least 15 years and never had problems like yours. Just because the prescription is right doesn't mean that the lenses were made correctly.

 

[Muushka]

I would agree. I've been wearing progressives for at least 15 years and never had problems like yours. Just because the prescription is right doesn't mean that the lenses were made correctly.

Or in my case, the prescription was wrong and the lenses were right.