Eyeglasses, getting progressive lenses right the first time

[AggieMike88]

We’ve hit in this discussion in the past, but my PoA search fu isn’t working tonight...

I’m finally resigning myself that I need some form of close in vision correction all the time. Beyond 6 feet, all is sharp as ever. But looking at papers on my desk, my phone, my tablet, and computer screen, all is better with some correction.

Past discussions on aviation forums have me understanding that progressive correction is the way to go.

But what method is suggested so that the correction for close middle, and far are in the right place on the lens? Especially for flying when I’d be switching between looking outside, looking at the instrument panel, and at the iPad, chart, or kneeboard notes?

With the big dollar expense associated with eyeglasses, I’m motivated to get this right in the first pass.

 

[Stewartb]

Progressives will take a little getting used to. Things like stepping off a curb or walking down steps will startle you at first. I had a pair about 10 years ago that messed with my peripheral vision and complained to my eye doc. They switched me to a different lens and I've never had a problem again. I stay at the same optometrist because they know my correction history and what works for me. I wondered away one time and that didn't work out so well. Find a good quality practice and tell them what your concerns are. They can adjust things to make pilot glasses, golfer glasses, etc, etc.

 

[GRG55]

The technology has changed a lot in the past decade. They can "tune" the lens progression and field of width across the different focal lengths very precisely now, so I agree with Stewartb's post above. You really want to find a top notch optician and be very specific about the types of activities you think you need the glasses for.

However, if you have good distance vision why do you want a full progressive? Why not just half lens type of reading glasses for close work? It'll be less expensive and you can take them off when you don't need them for close work. Are you having trouble reading the instrument panel in your car or the airplane, or just close work like the charts, or reading a book?

 

[PaulS]

If your distance vision is fine I would head to the drug store and buy some cheaters. Give that a try first before you drop hundreds on progressives.

 

[Van Johnston]

If your distance vision is fine I would head to the drug store and buy some cheaters. Give that a try first before you drop hundreds on progressives.

But if you are hell bent on spending money, sit in your cockpit and take a picture at eye level, then measure distance from eyes to middle of panel, and distance from eyes to charts or checklist or iPad or whatever. Take all that to optometrist, tell him/her you are a pilot and that you need to read paper at distance x, gauges at distance y, and distance at infinity, and show picture to show field of vision for outside cockpit and panel, and they can take all that into account in writing the prescription.

 

[cessna182b]

We’ve hit in this discussion in the past, but my PoA search fu isn’t working tonight...

I’m finally resigning myself that I need some form of close in vision correction all the time. Beyond 6 feet, all is sharp as ever. But looking at papers on my desk, my phone, my tablet, and computer screen, all is better with some correction.

Past discussions on aviation forums have me understanding that progressive correction is the way to go.

But what method is suggested so that the correction for close middle, and far are in the right place on the lens? Especially for flying when I’d be switching between looking outside, looking at the instrument panel, and at the iPad, chart, or kneeboard notes?

With the big dollar expense associated with eyeglasses, I’m motivated to get this right in the first pass.

Since there are three distinct zones of interest, perhaps you need trifocals, with the basic lens plain glass, an upper inset for "arms length" and a lower one for "in front of your face". If the instrument panel is out of focus uncorrected, I don't think the "reading glasses" approach would work for you.

My problem is opposite yours - a bit nearsighted, but need no correction up close except for the really fine print. I wore progressives for some years, but didn't like them.
Went back to conventional bifocals next - but the insets were no good for "arms length". Finally I went to skinny single vision lenses that I wear as high as possible. I then
look out below them for viewing the instrument panel or dashboard (when driving), and any normal-sized reading material. For the really fine print I always have a pair of
reading glasses in a slip case in my shirt pocket. Don't often need them, but they are immediately available when I do.

Dave

 

[Rushie]

I recommend finding an optician who is very experienced. He will be able to guide you correctly if you tell him what your needs are. I tend to have a lot of trouble getting glasses right going to any old place. So I keep returning to this guy back in my hometown who has been in business a couple decades and really knows his stuff. He always gets me fixed up.

Well I typed the above and walked away before the other answers were posted so I agree "find a top notch optician." I don't know HOW to go about finding that, I guess recommendations and references.

 

[Matthew]

My eye doc retired last year, but it was nice while it lasted. He's a pilot, too, so we talked flying and he always did a good job for me.

I've had progressives for about 5-6 years now and don't regret the move from trifocals. Van had good points - get your prescription optimized to the distances you need or the distances that are most convenient.

Progressives have sort of an hourglass viewing area. The distance and reading areas are fairly wide in relation to the intermediate vision. You'll get used to them after a couple of days.

I had trifocals for a while, and my current prescription safety glasses are trifocals. For those, it's critical that the lines and frames be adjusted and positioned properly or you will constantly be tipping your head when one eye is looking through one section and the other eye is looking through a different section. Not so noticeable with bifocals because the reading area is normally smaller in relation to the total lens, and progressives blend the sections together.

 

[steingar]

Personally, I think the OP should see their favorite optometrist and do whatever he or she says to do.

 

[EppyGA]

Been wearing progressives for well over a decade now. I like them, your mileage may vary.

 

[AggieMike88]

I recommend finding an optician who is very experienced. He will be able to guide you correctly if you tell him what your needs are. I tend to have a lot of trouble getting glasses right going to any old place. So I keep returning to this guy back in my hometown who has been in business a couple decades and really knows his stuff. He always gets me fixed up.

Well I typed the above and walked away before the other answers were posted so I agree "find a top notch optician." I don't know HOW to go about finding that, I guess recommendations and references.

Fortunately we have an optician office as you describe. Ragsdale Senior had the practice for over 30 years, now Ragsdale Junior carries on the tradition.

 

[AggieMike88]

... sit in your cockpit and take a picture at eye level, then measure distance from eyes to middle of panel, and distance from eyes to charts or checklist or iPad or whatever. Take all that to optometrist, tell him/her you are a pilot and that you need to read paper at distance x, gauges at distance y, and distance at infinity, and show picture to show field of vision for outside cockpit and panel, and they can take all that into account in writing the prescription.

Thanks... that was the advice I am seeking....

For those that say get the drugstore glasses, I did purchase some Foster Grant Multi Focus glasses for $35.00 at CVS Pharmacy. I am using those to get used to the idea of wearing them during the day. The positioning of the zones is not quite where I'd want them per Van Johnston's advice. But close enough for the short haul.

 

[Stewartb]

We call it head hockey. Adjusting your head to look through the best correction zone. That’ll change a little with every new pair of glasses.

All of my many progessive lenses have included a narrow close reading zone and progress to a larger computer reading zone below the mid point. At mid and above the correction is for distance. Some commercial pilots get another reading zone at the top for overhead switches. Talk to your doc. None of this is news to him.

 

[FlySince9]

I've had progressives since I came back to flying 6 years ago... Suggestions for Drugstore glasses don't work if you need sun glasses... You can get stick-ons that you attach to your sunglasses for reading but you'll find that they will always be in the way at the least opportune time... I got myself a pair of transitional Progressives and a pair of RAYBANs, with the same prescription, from Lens crafters. The prescription was based on a normal eye exam with no specific requests for distance... Your brain will train to find the right spot on the glasses for each distance. I have had ZERO issues with mine... Also the newer technology has a wider field of view so peripheral vision is not a impaired as it once was...

 

[flyingron]

Well perhaps not the drugstore, but my wife bought readers by the score from readingglasses.com after she got LASIK'd. They had bifocal ones (no correction on top) and sunglasses. They sell progressives, too.

Of course, I just get my right prescription off Zenni for less than $100 / pair/

 

[AggieMike88]

perhaps not the drugstore, but my wife bought readers by the score from readingglasses.com

Thanks for pointing out that site. That might be a decent interim solution.

 

[coloradobluesky]

I tried variable tint progressives for 30 days and didnt like them. They made my eyes hurt and somewhat dizzy and they didnt darken enough in the car or airplane (windshield). So I have to have 3 pairs of glasses, bifocal sunglasses, clear bifocals and reading glasses. I really should have 9 pairs, a set of each for the house, car and plane. Working on that.

 

[Doug F]

Look around for an eye doc that is also a pilot. I can't find the link now but did figure out a way to find pilot/eye specialists.

If you go progressive, give yourself some time to get used to them and wear them all the time. If you have them on/off/on/off, it'll be hell and you'll be frustrated.

Be prepared to go through an adjustment time every time you change scripts. If you have astigmatism, figure more 'fun' and adjustment periods. If you're not happy with the initial outcome, find a new doc.

Best of luck.

 

[Croomrider]

OP, I have similar problem to you. Went to the eye doc, he recommended progressives and gave me a script. Got the glasses made and hated the progressives. Went back to the place I got them and they told me about some better lenses that would allow a larger area in the progressive zone. Ordered a set of those, but still couldn't stand them. The size of the area of focus for anything other than "distance" seemed like the size of a quarter and left me hunting the correct head position to be able to see what I was looking at. This is certainly not a great scenario for a pilot on short approach that needs to see airspeed on the panel and the runway. I decided to try a pair of bifocals and decided to order them from Zenni, since they were cheap, and it didn't cost as much to experiment. They also don't verify your prescription, so you can adjust your "ADD" values as you see fit without doing back to your doc for a new prescription. This has worked extremely well. What I ended up with that works the best is a pair of aviator style bifocals with my distance prescription on top, and an "ADD" value on the bottom of +1.75. I had a dark gray gradient tint applied, which is basically sunglasses on top, and clear on the bottom where the bifocal part is. I like these because I can see both inside on the panel, and outside, by just moving my eyes, and not having to hunt for the right head position to see what I need to see. I don't wear the bifocals for everything, but they really work well when flying the plane!