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I’ve been putting off getting bifocals (now age 47), getting by with reading glasses at home. But, I think it’s time. My fear: while I am getting used to them I’ll step off the edge of a roof, or nail my foot to the floor. So…any middle-age builders out there who have made the transition to bifocals, please tell me if it can be done safely. Did they change the way you work?
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I just went through this - a month of reading glasses until last month when I got the continous (no seam) bifocals. It takes a couple of days but not a big deal. And fewer headaches.
*Yes, you can do good with bifocals. I have learned a real good lesson and that is that even more than with tools, maybe, you get what you pay for. I've had to wear glasses for 20 years or so, but several years ago I hated my first bifocals so much that when I finally scratched the lenses I went back to single vision. Then I was really screwed- had to take em clear off to nail base or cut a fine line with a brush over my head, etc. So I got another pair of discount no-line bifocals and hated them as much as before. Then I finally listened to my wife and went to a real pro optical place and paid out the ass for what they recommended-- plastic lenses that are Varilux (not sure of that spelling). They are a hundred times better than my old ones and I only paid twice as much, something like $425. After a year I have only barely scratched the lenses, not really noticeable. Now I would never again buy those cheap ($225) lenses.
*I've had them for 10 years. Ditto on the continuous type. I still have to take of the specs when doing serious close up work.
*Drew, I've been wearing bifocals for several years now, and had no trouble making the adaptation. Mine have the sharp division between the regular and close-up lower lens. My friends have had success with the type Bill described. Two thoughts that I'll share with you... First, spend the few extra bucks for safety lenses. There are lots of dangers out there in our professions, and you'll appreciate the peace of mind. Secondly, I DO have trouble with my bifocals when, say, installing crown. After a while my ncek aches from throwing my head back to see the work.Good luck, Steve
*Drew,I've been wearing bifocals for two years now and agree with everyone else, you can get used to them and should be carefull at first. I've also been told, by the place that made my glasses, that they can make the bifocal part on top of the lens to help out with the neck problem when working over head. I'm going to try it next pair.Vince
*Drew, I've been out of construction for several years, but have worn bi- and trifocals (yeah, that neck-craning thing is a pain, as is switching glasses). The main thing is that you need to train yourself to move your eyes, more than your head, when looking down. It shouldn't take much to get used to--maybe a day or so. One other thing, w/seamless trifocals at least, your peripheral vision is not as good as it was, so you do need to turn your head side-to-side, imperative when changing lanes in traffic!
*Drew,I'm 44 years old. About 8 months ago I was scared to death that I was going blind (runs in the family). I first tried the "no-line" bifocals and after 3 weeks and some very close calls on the highway at night, went to the line type normal/close bifocal lenses. Just my own experience mind you but after 6 months, I now prefer the regular single vision lenses for normal everyday wear and a pair of those half "Thomas Adams" type of cropped off reading lenses for reading and close up work. My wife even bought me one of those funky gold chain deals for Christmas so's I can wear them both. She just loves it. Claims I look like a grumpy-assed librarian.Tough to get old, isn't it Drew?Jeff
*drew, Be extremely careful with your golf game while using those bifocals. They can turn a slice into a hook. Putting is a bear too. Keep the reg. vis. ones handy if you wear them. No side bets.Steps and maybe the roof will be a little weird at first.And check out the dual type as you can only tilt your head back so far before you keel over. Crown is a nitemare as is any thing done overhead. I find myself pushing the glasses up on the forehead which defeats the purpose of safety lenses.It's a bitch to get old. you finally get good at doing it and then you can't see well enough to do it. Best of luck.
*It's a bitch to get old. you finally get good at doing it and then you can't see well enough to do it.Well said, Calvin. Anyone remember those "young" Rolling Stones singing "What a drag it is getting old" while we didn't have a freakin clue, but were singing along like we did?
*.....been wearin glasses since 8th grade and went to Varifocus when I started singing in community chorus so I could watch the director and my music without moving my head.....the line-style bifocals always put the line in my field of vision...with the Varifocus whatever you point your nose at is the center of your sharpest focal areaAfter a couple years, the perscription changes and I get new lenses or new frames....I also have the Suntint so I haven't owned a pair of sunglasses for 30 years...i credit wearing glasses with still having my eyes, the chips and scratches and hot slag I find on my lenses would have been in my eyes if I weren't wearing glasses.Hey BlueThanks,Kermit
*My experience is that just what will work the best for you may be a bit different than for others. I had to experiment a bit before I came up with MY solution. Yours may be different.For General Use: No Lines Bifocals. Safety lenses but not Safety Frames so they are lighter and look better but still do a decent job of protecting the eyes.For Impact likelyhood jobs(nailing, sawing, etc): Full Safety glasses, frames and lenses.For Steady Closeup(welding, cutting sheetmetal etc):Safety Glasses with the bifocal prescription in the entire lense.I had to have an MRI a couple years ago and discovered that if you have any metal in or immediately around your eyes they can't do any magnetic imaging, even if the metal isn't magnetic. The medics don't want to take a chance on ruining your vision. So I spend the money and try to protect the orbits.Oh yes, it did change the way I work. I don't play monkey any more. I don't have the peripheral vision when wearing glasses to be sure where I'm stepping. Now without the prescriptions and with regular safety glasses.....
*I have two pairs. One has reg bifocals placed a little higher than normal so I don't rear my head back so far.& I have another pair with bifocals top & bottom.. Bottom ones for regular work & the top ones for above head work.. Workes great except for walking around & driving.. L. Siders
*There is more discussion on bifocals in this thread from the archives.Rich Beckman
*Rich:Thanks for the research on the previous thread. Forgot what I'd posted there. It was right after that post that I added the single vision lense using the bifocal prescription for close work.Also can endorse the comments about no-line bifocals being great once you find someone who can fit them properly. My dissatisfaction before was due to two things. 1. That brand had too small a "sweet spot". 2. The optometrist was just learning how to fit them properly.To her credit she ate the cost of the original no-lines and got me a pair that have larger vision areas and smoother transitions from one prescription to the other. I really like these.Lots of money, but as they say, I'm worth it.
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I'm told of pipefitters who had their glasses outfitted top and bottom with bifocals - looking up or down you're in the help zone.
*Shoulda read further.
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I've been putting off getting bifocals (now age 47), getting by with reading glasses at home. But, I think it's time. My fear: while I am getting used to them I'll step off the edge of a roof, or nail my foot to the floor. So...any middle-age builders out there who have made the transition to bifocals, please tell me if it can be done safely. Did they change the way you work?