I've been wearing glasses for about the last 18 years or so - Reading lenses at first and then bifocals later. As my eyes changed over the years, what were once reading glasses became pretty decent distance glasses a few years later.

I've tried progressives twice over the past five years and won't try them again. If I could get progressives that varied in focal distance vertically but not horizontally, they might be OK. However, I don't like reading a phone book where the name is somewhat clear, but the number is unreadably blurry. Having the focal distance vary horizontally is maddening to me. I also end up with headaches - Not from my eyes, but from unconciously tightening my neck muscles as I try in vain to find *that* sweet spot for whatever I'm viewing. Both times I tried them, the area of clear vision was little (if any) larger than a half-dollar at arm's length.

Plus, they're always skewed to the distance end of the spectrum. The last pair required me to look through the bottom 1/8" of the lens to read a book in my lap. While my vision can be improved at any distance, I don't need glasses to drive and prefer to just wear normal sunglasses instead. About the only practical side effect I have from driving while not wearing distance vision glasses is that on Interstate Hwy signs, "B", "3" and "8" tend to look alike from a distance and street signs require some closeness to read. Other than that, I'm good. But I HAVE to have correction for reading (+2 diopter and astigmatism in both eyes).

Next eye Dr. visit (early Feb.), I'll go back to bifocals corrected for near and intermediate vision only. Working on computers as I do, that's all I need. Progressives sound like a good idea, but I've never been able to make them work despite repeated attempts.