I agree with Bill that having different glasses for different applications is the way to go. For me it is easy because I have no asstigmatism and am only mildly far-sighted, so I can use the cheap off-the-shelf drug-store reading glasses for various special purposes. My main problem is the usual age-related loss of focusing power. I use a +1.50 diopter for computer work (and piano playing), +2.50 for close-up work (soldering, etc), and perscription bifocals for general use. My dad is 80 and just got on the net. He was getting a sore neck using his bi-focals for computer work until I got him some perscription single-vision glasses. Now his entire field of view is in focus (as long as it is 19 inches from his eyes!). I would rather take the time to change to just the right glasses than suffer the compromises that come with progressives. But if you must wear bifocals, you might want to ask the opticians to place the dividing line as high as you will tolerate. That way your close-up field of view is large and close-up work is easier. I had my bifocals set up so the dividing line just meets the top the dash in the small plane that I fly. That way the instruments are in focus. At first the smallish distance portion took some getting use to, but now it seems normal. If you spend most of your time looking close then shouldn't the close-up portion of your bifocals be as large as practical? -Robert Scott Ypsilanti, Michigan
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