Bifocal Contacts
 

Anyone using them?
I have some bifocal glasses, but the contacts seem to be a bigger deal. My eye exam for glasses was ~$50, but the exam for bifocal contacts ranges from $120-$160.
I've worn single vision contacts in the past, so I'm no rookie to them.
Wondering if they take a bit of adjustment, etc.
They are primarily for cycling and work-seeing distance, and also about 2 1/2-3 ft. to a computer or my bike handlebars.
Anyway, let me know if you have any experience.

Thanks!



S

I currently where multi focal contacts. My primary vision problem is up close. I can get by seeing far but it is not perfect. The contacts are a good compromise. They are not perfect. I where them at work because reading glasses just do not work for me putting them on and off at my job. I where them all day but when I get home I where progressive glasses. Vision is much better. For riding I do not wear the contacts. I use bifocal riding glasses so I can see computer. I find the wind and sweat to be a problem even wearing sunglasses.

Yeah, I might just get some riding glasses. Easier and cheaper, overall.

S

A lot of contact wearers get the mono-vision lenses, one eye is for close and one is for distance. I think it would drive me CRAZY but some people swear it works great.

Plus, the cost is much lower than bifocal contacts.

Used them for about a year and a half. They were ok but the ones that fit me only came in three strengths (low, med and high) for the close vision and I was right between them. I quit using them and went back to single vision. Sooner or later I'll have to get readers:-(

They don't really take any adjustments. I'll be darned if I know how they can design lenses that will automatically rotate into the right spot on your eye, but they do work!

Personally, I'm a big fan as I'll do anything I can to avoid glasses. I broke my wrist a few weeks ago and can't insert my contacts because of it until the cast comes off and wearing glasses again has driven me nuts. But that's just me.

They are a bit more expensive, but not really enough for me to worry about given the convenience. Obviously I ride with them and I've never had any issues.

multifocal contacts for me - work great. used to be with regular contacts I had to wear readers for up close but the multifocals work for everything except the smallest print. I wear them all day for everything. took close to a month with a couple of variations to get used to them and zero in but after that no problems

I've had both bi-focal contacts (actually they were for astigmatism, but they rotated into place just like bifocals) and last year I demoed some multi-focal contacts.

I hate them both. HATED them. I also tried different prescriptions in each eye and I hated that as well. I'm near sighted and can read just fine without contacts or glasses but with contacts in, I can't read squat up close. Yay, age.

So... i have various prescription reading glasses around the house for various activities (one for reading, one for computer... etc. Really fun)

I have a pair of stick-on reading lenses for my sun glasses, but I can't find them. They're about $14 at amazon if you want to go that route. You can also get sunglasses with reading magnification in the lower part (sort of like bifocals) - these were recommended to me and the price is pretty good: https://www.dualeyewear.com/

I would try the multi-focals, you may be able to use them. the concept is really neat - your eyes get both up close and distance at the same time and your brain decides which image to use. My brain said no dice, yours may not have an issue.

I hate them. They don't do anything well...so, I've biased my contacts for distance, driving, etc... and I have progressive glasses.

Interesting stories.
I have bifocal glasses that work great, but they are rectangular in shape, so when I ride, I'm looking over the top of them.
I think I'll check-out some sport-style frames in my prescription.
Not too excited about a $120++ eye exam for bifocal contacts, and then experimenting with focal lengths.
Thanks for the posts, and happy riding.

S

I use prescription progressive bifocal glasses for riding. Frame sits high so that I'm still looking through the lenses when I'm low in the drops. They work very well for riding and I can very clearly see my Garmin etc. There are a fair number of sports type frames that will accept prescription lenses...depending on the prescription.

I've tried normal lined bifocals and the abrupt discontinuity between the two lenses just didn't work for me, especially when riding.

I also use the "Optx 20/20 Stick-On Reading Lenses" that I ordered through Amazon. I let the lens set in really HOT water till very soft then carefully placed them at the bottom of my cycling glasses. Now when wearing my contacts I have great vision while cycling. And I can still see to make change for buying coffee... or just checking my phone.

I used the bifocal contacts for three years, going from medium the first year to strong the last two years. They only took a few days to get used to, and they worked well until the third year, when my vision deteriorated some more.

I went back to regular contacts and bought three pairs of prescription reading glasses. I leave one pair at work and a couple at home. I also keep an emergency pair of Costco reading glasses in the car.

Mono vision for me. Right eye corrected for distance, left eye uncorrected (better than 20/20 close up). It took a good 6 months to really adjust. I can't say that I actually like it, but I dislike it much less than all the other options.