Hi. I've been having problems lately with my monovision lenses and dry eyes. I was wondering if anyone has tried the bifocal lenses, and if so, how you like them. I'm playing around right now with different prescription strengths with the monovision lenses in the hopes I can still wear them, as they allow me to see near and far. Any input would be helpful. Thanks! Meryl

I've had these for about 4 years and just got a new pair. I love them! Be sure you have a good optometrist, though, because they often have to be adjusted after you get them. The best way is to wear them for about a week and then go back -- I've found we have to tinker with the near vision strength so I can read comfortably -- the far vision is usually corrected pretty easily. Also look for a doctor that has experience with these. I've had verying experiences, so the last time I asked them before I went in to give me a doctor who could handle it. Good luck! Kimber

Thanks, Kimber! I'm going to give them a try! I'll let you know how I make out! M.

Just reading this thread makes me so glad I don't have to fool around with contacts and glasses any more :roll: When I think of all of the hassle (I must have tried a hundred different contacts) and expense, I feel so grateful (had the corrective surgery)! kimber, I lived in Cincinnati for a couple of years (Western Hills). One of my relatives lives there (I think it's called Dent?) and a friend in No. Ky. called Villa Hills. Whereabouts are you (Cinti is a much bigger area than most people realize), and are you from there originally?

Hi, I wore Monovision for several years and then it just got to where they weren't good enough anymore. Now I have multifocals and they are much better but they cost twice as much too. One thing I've noticed is that I couldn't drive at night with the monovision and I don't have any trouble with the multifocals. You do have to try several pairs to get it just right. I have a little more trouble because I have to have a reading distance for my computer at work but when I get home and try to read something small they aren't quite good enough but I have to stick with what I do most which is look at the computer. The multifocals give you some "middle distance" vision that you lose with your monovisions. Just try them out and see if the help enough to offset the higher price. If not, go back to the monovision. Good luck. bb

Dear Aimee, I wish I could have the lasik surgery! I went in for an evaluation and my eyesight is so poor they would have had to shave off too much cornea, so I can't have it done. Who knew? I guess I'll have to wait for the next great invention. I've heard they're working on new artificial lenses to implant into your eye. Regarding Cincinnati, yep, born and raised here. I grew up on the west side (Colerain) but live on the east side (Hyde Park) now. Don't hate me because I crossed the Great East/West divide! Take care, Kimber

Kimber, is that area the same as basically where Colerain Avenue is? You can see I'm not really all that familiar with the area! I do remember Hyde Park (a little, from way back in the 70's). You know, my doctor implants what I think are basically contact lenses. I had thought my eyes would be too bad for surgery, but luckily I had thick corneas (who knows why). I actually had the worst far vision of anyone he'd ever done (quite an achievement). So I didn't expect, and was told not to expect, 20/20 vision, but I got it! For me, it was a miracle. So just hold on, there'll be plenty of innovations down the pike. There always are when it comes to anything that insurance won't pay for.

I've had unlined trifocals for years. They work fine for me Except for reading. I read very quickly and I would get whiplash if I tried to keep turning my head back and forth to accommodate that tiny reading area that they give you; but luckily for me I do not need glasses to read quite yet....there are now several companies that offer the trifocal option and although it is expensive it is cheaper than three pairs of glasses and looks much better than having three lines in your lenses...My brother had lasik and is very pleased but I've worn glasses since second grade and feel naked w/o them

I'm off to the eye doctor tomorrow morning after two years. I suspect my distance-seeing eye will need a stronger contact prescription, but my near-vision eye isn't having any trouble reading or dealing with my computer screen, so I hope it will remain contact-free. True monovision! Wearing one contact beats the heck out of having to take reading glasses on and off
Cesca

I recently had my eyes tested (first GOOD exam in 4 years!) and they put me in progressive lens trifocals. I've always worn glasses for distance, but my reading vision has deteriorated rapidly over the past 2 or 3 years so it was time I guess. HATED them when I first put them on, and I'm not quite sure if I like them or not still. Some days they seem to work fine, then other days they are nothing but a pain in the butt - I'm not used to turning my head to see, I'm used to simply turning my eyes. I've had many people say they like them? And many people say they simply can't adjust to them. We'll see I guess!

HUGS!

Kleeo.

I hate wearing glasses period. Many years ago I had some metal framed ones. I took them home tried them on and thought, they're not sitting quite right . So I did a Uri Gellar, bent them at the bridge and snapped them in half. That was very embarrassing going back to the optician. Specs make me feel like I've got a birdcage strapped to my face. I even dislike sunspecs.

Hi, Meryl --
I LOVE BIFOCAL CONTACTS! I've only had them for a week, but what a difference it has made. I'm 55 and have never worn contacts, and only the past few years I've been wearing reading glasses, so this is a big jump for me. But it's so nice, and the transition has been very easy.

I recently had a vision test--first in four years--and asked about how multifocal contact lenses were doing these days. Four years ago, both the opthalmologist and the optometrist had little good to say about them. They were not yet good enough to justify the cost and the way they were made caused you to see starry lights -- because the second prescription around the edges of the contacts were applied in a kind of star shape. But now, the doctor said they are very good, and she's had great luck with people with my type of vision issues. Same thing from the optometrist; we've been going to the same office for many years, so we have no reason not to believe these folks.

Today's "multi-focal" contacts look like any others, and I see no difference in the view whether I'm driving, working at the computer--which is a big part of my job--or reading. I'm going through a trial period now, so they can adjust the prescription before I purchase the package. Even that has come down in price tremendously. I need a very mild prescription for distance vision --about 1.25, moderate for computer work--about 2.0, and stronger for close reading--3+. The contacts I have now make all but the very close reading possible without added reading glasses. I've BEEN carrying around three pair of readers at various strengths so I could function, and was getting really sick of that. And the doc says she can adjust that so that I have full reading ability with just one set of lenses. How awesome is that? Go for it -- you'll love it!

As for the dry eyes -- everyone I know who has contacts has complained of that from time to time. My optometry folks tell me to train yourself to blink often (esp. when working on computer), don't sit under fans or in front of heat ducts if you can help it, and keep your contacts very clean. Take them out and soak them for awhile if they become irritating. And use "tears" products sparingly so you don't clog your tear ducts.