optometrists/ bifocals medical renewal question

[N601RX]

I'm not sure if we have any optometrists on the fourm or not, but I'm sure there are others who have been through this.  My medical is up for renewal next month and Its been a couple of years since I visited my optometrists.  Last time I visited him, he told me I would probably need bifocals by my next visit.  Well, its 2 years later and I would have to agree with him.

 

I've been doing some reading by an optometrists who wrote an article for the eaa and he suggested an ST25 or ST28 straight line lenses. He mentions that progressives don't always work well for some pilots.  Some pilots say just keep a pair of reading glasses  handy.  For those who have been through this, what have you found that works best.

[Marauder]

As someone who finally succumbed to reading glasses, I tried my progressives (clear on top). They did not work for me. Too much distortion. I currently wear a bifocal that I bought online. Work great. If you need the top section with distance correction, I think the striaght line will work better than progressives.

[FoxMike]

Best thing to do is get an eye exam which should result is a fresh prescription.  If you need bifocals get glasses that have the line cut into them not progressives.  Progressives did not work for me when flying instruments as I needed to keep moving my head to keep focus sharp on the instrument I was reading.  In short order my neck muscles got tired.  YMMV. Good luck.

[chrisk]

I personally like these:  http://www.walmart.com/ip/CliC-Reading-Glasses-Tortoise/17174059   There when I need them, and out of the way when I don't.

[Rwsavory]

Progressives work fine for me in flying.  Get a prescription from your optometrist and order a pair online at Zenni for about $50.  Make sure you get your pupil distance measured.

[1964-M20E]

When it came to be my time to wear glasses my medical   just stated I need to have them to fly nothing more than that.

[Bob_Belville]

After many years with progressives I went to old time bifocals. I think that works very well in a cockpit. I'm nearsighted, there's little correction in the lower section of the lens. I also wear contact that are great playing golf and give me superior distance vision when flying but with the contact in I have to use reading glasses. I have a pair of bi-focal sunglasses for when I have contacts in - reading lens on the bottom, no correction on top.

 

As John says, the MD doing the airman's is much less concerned than I am.

 

Don't get old!.

[N201MKTurbo]

Old age is reserved for those of us with the experience to handle it.

 

Except for the eyes, ears, memory and the time it takes to recover from traumatic injury, I feel like a teenager!

[Bennett]

I've had no problem with progressives in flying , or bifocal contacts when I wore them. Corrections are not great, so either works well, at least for me.  One thing I did with the progressives is to specify how far the instrument panel is from where I sit, and the angle between my eyes and the principal cockpit instruments. These, for me at least, are not the standard setup for the demarcation area between the two corrections. I have separate pairs (sun glasses and regular) for flying and driving. I do not use any of these for computer work, or for reading.  A good  optometrist can work with you to optimize your glasses and sunglasses with high contrast for flying.  

[Danb]

A couple of years ago well more than that I tried Varilux lenses without much success, I have a soda for being legally blind in my left eye but have side vision..I saw an article in either AOPA or aviation consumer that had a chart describing the measurements you should have for success in the variable lenses, you measured to the right side of the panel, straight on the panel, down to your lap and the height to the top of the panel and like a wacko went to the eye doc with the info, after explaining all the reasons for the distances she went ahead and ordered me a pair, knowing they w/n work I also ordered new bifocals which just sit in its case, after a few flights and getting used to head movement etc..presto they work remarkable. I'll look through my old paperwork and try to get the proper info. ( I think the brand of lens is critical) and post it. Doing all the measurements is the main item to limit your head movement in flight...once you get the correct settings you may be in for a surprise and it will be worth it.. if anyone is interested let me know and I'll dig up the info..happy flying   Dan

 

[N601RX]

Dan,

That the kind of answers I was looking for.  If you can find the info, it would be very helpful.

 

Thanks,

Mike

[jnisley]

I've been using progressives for several years with no issues.

[DrBill]

I wore progressives for many years until I had radiation treatment for my lung cancer in 09. Then my eyes changed and I no longer need glasses! I used to have "must have corrective lenses available" on my medical certificate but the last medical (1 year ago) I no longer needed them. I highly recommend progressives.. I give credit to the gal who measured me for the first pair. Since I use a computer screen alot (when I was working) she put the "line" higher than most and I kept that postition for all subsequent pair.

BILL

[carusoam]

Experience is very helpful. Driving, flying and computer reading may make you have separate glasses for each event...

But now, we know what to measure...

I have progressive lenses. I spent a fair amount of time with my eye doc getting them set up. I forgot I had them after a while.

Just another example of paying an expert in his field to get good service. It may cost more?

Best regards,

-a-

[Rustler]

Progressives have worked well for me over the years. I think it helps if they are the first corrective lenses you use, however. The Zeiss lenses are like wearing single-vision glasses to me. The lenses that are darkened by uV rays don't seem to work too well in cockpits, since our windshields block a lot of that radiation.

[Hector]

Progressive transition glasses ( the ones that get dark even without UV). Like them a lot..

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Hank]

Progressives have worked well for me over the years. I think it helps if they are the first corrective lenses you use, however. The Zeiss lenses are like wearing single-vision glasses to me. The lenses that are darkened by uV rays don't seem to work too well in cockpits, since our windshields block a lot of that radiation.

My transition lenses darken slightly in the cockpit but not at all in the car, so I have dedicated prescription sunglasses, too. If you do this, take your prescription to the cheap place (I bought two pair clear glasses <$100) and stash a pair in the plane. Fly after work with sunglasses on, sometime you'll land after dark; for me, it was the day my landing light rubbed through the insulation and wouldn't stay on. Night landing over the trees, no landing light and sunglasses . . . Won't happen to me again.

[flyboy0681]

Old age is reserved for those of us with the experience to handle it.

 

Except for the eyes..

 

The eyes are the first thing to go.

[Robert C.]

I've been using progressives for several years with no issues.

 

+1