I recently broke the frames of my bifocals. Really aggravated about my eyesight. I use bifocals for driving, for distance (+2.5) and dashboard (roughly arm's length, +3.5), but I need about +4.0 for desktop computer, and about +5.0 for reading/phone/tablet/detail work. I find progressives unsuited for desktop computer due to the restricted size of in-focus area. Currently I carry around FOUR pair, the bifocals for driving, over-the-top sunglasses, +4.0 readers, and +5.0 readers.
It's irritating that adjustable readers only go to +3.5.
I want "executive bifocals" that are +4.0 upper, +5.0 lower, with a fully horizontal split (not a small inser area), but executive bifocals apparently barely exist any more, and blanks aren't made to suit large frames.
Or maybe I could deal with progressives if I could get top 60% at +4.0, below that becoming linearly progressive to +5.0, with no weird side areas. But of course that doesn't exist.
I think the only way I could ever be satisfied is if I learned to grind my own custom lenses, but I don't want to spend years turning my desire for satisfactory eyeglasses into a new yet unprofitable career. I've already got an old, yet now mostly unprofitable career.
@brouhaha You would have at least one external customer. Fran Blanche has franted about the demise of executive bifocals before. ??? Profit!
@brouhaha It just occurred to me: What if we are close to practical home 3D printing of eyeglass-quality lenses?
@NF6X That's kinda what I was thinking about. For now, probably CNC machining with post-processinf, but I don't have anywhere near the knowledge to be able to make that work in any reasonable time scale.
@brouhaha I feel your pain. I have the added complexity that my eyes don't both sit at the same horizontal point so I have a prism in both sides to correct for that. (without it I unconsciously tilt my head).
That said, the last set of glasses I got they were able to design some progressives that work better for me for programming (no side areas just top to bottom adjustments)
@brouhaha I gave progressives almost a full year of a chance before I tossed them. But yeah, there seems to be incredible pressure from lens manufacturers to choose progressives over bifocals (I assume because it’s easier for them and they make more money, at the expense of usability. So, enshittification again.)
@brouhaha Progressives do vary a lot. The weird focus area can't be avoided, but it can be minimised. The more you pay the smaller the area, especially if you get the ones that need a 3d scan of your eye ($$$). Most brands will let you optimise the lower shape, but my optometrist never discussed it. But if you know you can ask for options.
@lou
Getting old sucks, but it beats the alternative.
(as far as there's any reason to believe)
@brouhaha Agree with you about progressives. I went with hard bifocals, and later graduated to trifocals. Progressive lenses are for people who never look at anything bigger than a first-gen tiny smartphone.
@oclsc @brouhaha I've been wearing progressives for about 20 years now and have had good luck with them. Each new set took almost a week to get used to though. I use single focus monitor glasses for computer work since my neck bothers me if I don't. One bonus is my terrible distance vision enables me to read without glasses now that I'm older.
@NorwayJose @brouhaha To take it more seriously, brains clearly differ. Progressives just didn't work for me, but hard bi-(now tri-)focals feel just right. When my wife needed multi-focus a few years later she found progressives were fine. Which is presumably why the company that makes my lenses offers a no-cost switch for several weeks.
@NorwayJose @brouhaha Also: wife can read comfortably without glasses. I can't: too damn nearsighted.
@brouhaha i finally broke down and bought a trial-lens kit, measure my own, and order from zenni online. i have pairs for my desktop, my laptop, night driving, etc. most are under $30 each with shipping. i did splurge on some nice polarized script sunglasses for driving ($63) and bifocals with nice coatings ($80)
@brouhaha PSA you still need to have your eyes checked for disease, etc, but ophthalmology visits are covered by my health insurance
@tedyapo@fosstodon.org @brouhaha@mastodon.social so wait: you bought this steampunk-ass set and then did not use it as your main pair of glasses? missed opportunity really
@tedyapo nice. Although, here where I am we have health cover, both mandatory govt organised and private. So that means I can get an new pair of glasses every two years, for nearly free. Pay some extra if your want wild fancy Jimmy Choo frames etc., or if you want the expensive multifocals. But normal glasses for e.g near or long distance viewing, are nearly free. Good health cover is priceless. @brouhaha