Help Please - Eyesight / Reading Question - Reading Glasses Thoughts? (1 Viewer)

[brettdj]

I don't need readers, but with my contacts I had trouble reading. About 10 years ago (age 45) I changed one contact to the multifocal lens. I got no headaches. I played golf a lot so I wanted the distance. Last year with golfing down and reading getting more difficult, I switched to both lenses as multifocal. I golfed over the summer and did not like the distance viewing so I went back to the different lenses for the summer. I have had no trouble bouncing between the lenses. And will do so next year.

 

[massraider]

Hope this helps. LMK if you have any other questions.

Nearsighted, my scrip hasn't changed in 30 years.
Astigmatism in my left eye.
Needed readers with contacts the last few years. So if I need to read something close, I take glasses off (or add readers with contacts).

Is there a space laser deal that fixes all this?

 

[Keerock]

Anyone else dip into the monofocal contact for reading?

I've noticed in the last 6 months or so I'm constantly wearing readers at work... My BiL tried it and loves it (except driving far distances)

Have an appointment in a couple weeks and considering it

My wife has this and is pleased with the results.

As an alternative... assuming your distance vision is less than perfect... I wear multifocal contacts and they work great! Even after having RK 29 years ago

 

[Gatorman]

Hope this helps. LMK if you have any other questions.

Nearsighted, my scrip hasn't changed in 30 years.
Astigmatism in my left eye.
Needed readers with contacts the last few years. So if I need to read something close, I take glasses off (or add readers with contacts).

Is there a space laser deal that fixes all this?

Sadly, not really. Again, Laser surgery could do Monovision for you but I'd ask your doctor to try that in a contact lens before you dive into it.

There are multifocal CLs and specifically Multifocal Cls for astigmatism now. Some docs don't want to go through the hassle of fitting them (I do and charge a premium, but other docs are different).

Surgically there is an option which I will post (I'm not advocating for it just informing of its' existence)

So, when you get cataract surgery they remove the lens that is in your eye and replace it with an implanted lens. That implanted lens typically solves your distance vision problems (when calculated properly) and you wear readers after that. Some patients will opt for monovision in the implants (usually those who wore that as contacts), but there is a third option: A MULTIFOCAL CATARACT LENS IMPLANT.

Even if your insurance covers a cataract surgery, you pay and out of pocket premium for this lens. It "should" give you distance and reading vision for most things without needing readers.

Some people will say "why do I have to wait to get a cataract to do this" fix me now! That is doable and costs about 10K out of pocket in that case.

 

[Gatorman]

Anyone else dip into the monofocal contact for reading?

I've noticed in the last 6 months or so I'm constantly wearing readers at work... My BiL tried it and loves it (except driving far distances)

Have an appointment in a couple weeks and considering it

My wife has this and is pleased with the results.

As an alternative... assuming your distance vision is less than perfect... I wear multifocal contacts and they work great! Even after having RK 29 years ago

I agree with Keerock here. It's always patient specific, but I lean Multifocal before Monovision in fitting patients. Both are viable so it depends on what you adapt to better.

 

[belljr]

Anyone else dip into the monofocal contact for reading?

I've noticed in the last 6 months or so I'm constantly wearing readers at work... My BiL tried it and loves it (except driving far distances)

Have an appointment in a couple weeks and considering it

My wife has this and is pleased with the results.

As an alternative... assuming your distance vision is less than perfect... I wear multifocal contacts and they work great! Even after having RK 29 years ago

I agree with Keerock here. It's always patient specific, but I lean Multifocal before Monovision in fitting patients. Both are viable so it depends on what you adapt to better.

I have 20/10 vision minus the reading issue (per last year's doctor visit).....you still think multi is the way to go?

 

[Gatorman]

Anyone else dip into the monofocal contact for reading?

I've noticed in the last 6 months or so I'm constantly wearing readers at work... My BiL tried it and loves it (except driving far distances)

Have an appointment in a couple weeks and considering it

My wife has this and is pleased with the results.

As an alternative... assuming your distance vision is less than perfect... I wear multifocal contacts and they work great! Even after having RK 29 years ago

I agree with Keerock here. It's always patient specific, but I lean Multifocal before Monovision in fitting patients. Both are viable so it depends on what you adapt to better.

I have 20/10 vision minus the reading issue (per last year's doctor visit).....you still think multi is the way to go?

Solid question and the answer is "it depends"

Some patients with "better than perfect" vision do not tolerate any sort of Blur. If you are this type of patient a multifocal will likely not work for you. Monovision may or may not as well, as it has a bit to do with how "dominant" your dominant eye is. This is why doctors will give you trial lenses to use to see how you adapt. Most people with 20/10 vision generally only have that in one eye so it is possible that mono may be better suited to you, but you won't know until you try.

You may hate both (if you are really Type A about things it makes it more difficult to "hack" your visual system to make these products work). and in that case you are back to the readers.

 

[Phil Elliott]

They do have contacts for astigmatism (toric lenses). But generally I think there are mixed results depending on your type of astigmatism.

Toric lenses (that correct for astigmatism) are pretty close to perfect these days. I have full "round the clock" options in daily and frequent replacement, and they even now have Multifocal Toric lenses (2 companies at the moment). The only reason to get "mixed" results is the doc chose the wrong lens for you and/or didn't follow up on the fit.

I did try a couple different options of torics a few years ago. My daily multifocal lenses work great. I guess I could give them another chance at my next checkup in a few months. I have a different optometrist.

 

[BigJim®]

Wife got reading glasses a year ago and what was once limited ability to read without glasses has turned to impossible to see anything without them. I’m somewhat where she began and plan to stay that way - and forgo readers. Her experience has me cynical on aids.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Wife got reading glasses a year ago and what was once limited ability to read without glasses has turned to impossible to see anything without them. I’m somewhat where she began and plan to stay that way - and forgo readers. Her experience has me cynical on aids.

Ironically, I can't read your avatar.

 

[BigJim®]

Wife got reading glasses a year ago and what was once limited ability to read without glasses has turned to impossible to see anything without them. I’m somewhat where she began and plan to stay that way - and forgo readers. Her experience has me cynical on aids.

Ironically, I can't read your avatar.

1 Corinthians 13 if legit curious.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Wife got reading glasses a year ago and what was once limited ability to read without glasses has turned to impossible to see anything without them. I’m somewhat where she began and plan to stay that way - and forgo readers. Her experience has me cynical on aids.

Ironically, I can't read your avatar.

1 Corinthians 13 if legit curious.

I was. Hard to believe someone would find that an appropriate place to tattoo a Bible verse, mostly because I wonder who is reading that.

 

[Gatorman]

Wife got reading glasses a year ago and what was once limited ability to read without glasses has turned to impossible to see anything without them. I’m somewhat where she began and plan to stay that way - and forgo readers. Her experience has me cynical on aids.

A common misconception is blaming the readers for this and ignoring the aging process. As a general rule, as we age the flexibility of our accommodative system (ie the ability to see close) diminishes over time. The system has its maximum flexibility at about 19 and there is usually no accommodative ability left around our mid 60s. In and around 40 is the bellwether as the natural crook of our arm is about 40 cm.

whether you wear readers or not in a year or two the reading vision will be worse. Pretty much until about 65. Mine is a growth industry

 

[Van Dyman]

Same situation here. I tried the monovision for a few weeks and couldn't get used to it, but it's worth trying. As the posts here attest, it works great for some people but others don't like it.

I'm using multifocal contacts now and that's definitely a compromise...my distance vision is pretty good but not as great as it was with distance-only lenses, and my near vision is good enough for most reading & computer work, but I still need reading glasses handy for tiny text.

@Mad Cow is probably the best authority on this.

@Gatorman @Mad Cow

So...a few months ago I had an eye infection in my right eye and wore no contact on that side until it healed. Basically unwanted monovision. But this time I adjusted. Honestly it was GREAT. I've stuck with it. Multifocal in the left eye, no contact in the right. I haven't needed reading glasses at all and don't even know where they are anymore.

So, I'm seeking some advice now. Should I try going all-in on distance vision on the left instead of the multi-focal? I do miss having that eagle vision like I had with my old distance contacts, and I'm not certain the "multifocal" part is necessary since I'm using my right eye for near vision. I do also have astigmatism so I will probably consider something for that (multifocal + astigmatism wasn't a thing when I originally settled on my multifocal lenses).

 

[Gatorman]

Same situation here. I tried the monovision for a few weeks and couldn't get used to it, but it's worth trying. As the posts here attest, it works great for some people but others don't like it.

I'm using multifocal contacts now and that's definitely a compromise...my distance vision is pretty good but not as great as it was with distance-only lenses, and my near vision is good enough for most reading & computer work, but I still need reading glasses handy for tiny text.

@Mad Cow is probably the best authority on this.

@Gatorman @Mad Cow

So...a few months ago I had an eye infection in my right eye and wore no contact on that side until it healed. Basically unwanted monovision. But this time I adjusted. Honestly it was GREAT. I've stuck with it. Multifocal in the left eye, no contact in the right. I haven't needed reading glasses at all and don't even know where they are anymore.

So, I'm seeking some advice now. Should I try going all-in on distance vision on the left instead of the multi-focal? I do miss having that eagle vision like I had with my old distance contacts, and I'm not certain the "multifocal" part is necessary since I'm using my right eye for near vision. I do also have astigmatism so I will probably consider something for that (multifocal + astigmatism wasn't a thing when I originally settled on my multifocal lenses).

You can try whatever you want. When you go in for the exam let the doc know your thoughts and he(She) will likely give you a trial lens so you can see for yourself. If you do not like the "Distance only" CL in the eye, it can be switched back. Easy Peasy.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Same situation here. I tried the monovision for a few weeks and couldn't get used to it, but it's worth trying. As the posts here attest, it works great for some people but others don't like it.

I'm using multifocal contacts now and that's definitely a compromise...my distance vision is pretty good but not as great as it was with distance-only lenses, and my near vision is good enough for most reading & computer work, but I still need reading glasses handy for tiny text.

@Mad Cow is probably the best authority on this.

@Gatorman @Mad Cow

So...a few months ago I had an eye infection in my right eye and wore no contact on that side until it healed. Basically unwanted monovision. But this time I adjusted. Honestly it was GREAT. I've stuck with it. Multifocal in the left eye, no contact in the right. I haven't needed reading glasses at all and don't even know where they are anymore.

So, I'm seeking some advice now. Should I try going all-in on distance vision on the left instead of the multi-focal? I do miss having that eagle vision like I had with my old distance contacts, and I'm not certain the "multifocal" part is necessary since I'm using my right eye for near vision. I do also have astigmatism so I will probably consider something for that (multifocal + astigmatism wasn't a thing when I originally settled on my multifocal lenses).

You can try whatever you want. When you go in for the exam let the doc know your thoughts and he(She) will likely give you a trial lens so you can see for yourself. If you do not like the "Distance only" CL in the eye, it can be switched back. Easy Peasy.

What he said. You actually have the luxury of trying this out. Good luck.

 

[Van Dyman]

Same situation here. I tried the monovision for a few weeks and couldn't get used to it, but it's worth trying. As the posts here attest, it works great for some people but others don't like it.

I'm using multifocal contacts now and that's definitely a compromise...my distance vision is pretty good but not as great as it was with distance-only lenses, and my near vision is good enough for most reading & computer work, but I still need reading glasses handy for tiny text.

@Mad Cow is probably the best authority on this.

@Gatorman @Mad Cow

So...a few months ago I had an eye infection in my right eye and wore no contact on that side until it healed. Basically unwanted monovision. But this time I adjusted. Honestly it was GREAT. I've stuck with it. Multifocal in the left eye, no contact in the right. I haven't needed reading glasses at all and don't even know where they are anymore.

So, I'm seeking some advice now. Should I try going all-in on distance vision on the left instead of the multi-focal? I do miss having that eagle vision like I had with my old distance contacts, and I'm not certain the "multifocal" part is necessary since I'm using my right eye for near vision. I do also have astigmatism so I will probably consider something for that (multifocal + astigmatism wasn't a thing when I originally settled on my multifocal lenses).

You can try whatever you want. When you go in for the exam let the doc know your thoughts and he(She) will likely give you a trial lens so you can see for yourself. If you do not like the "Distance only" CL in the eye, it can be switched back. Easy Peasy.

What he said. You actually have the luxury of trying this out. Good luck.

Well sure, yes. I was aware of that. Was hoping someone might have some wisdom acquired from experience to share.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Same situation here. I tried the monovision for a few weeks and couldn't get used to it, but it's worth trying. As the posts here attest, it works great for some people but others don't like it.

I'm using multifocal contacts now and that's definitely a compromise...my distance vision is pretty good but not as great as it was with distance-only lenses, and my near vision is good enough for most reading & computer work, but I still need reading glasses handy for tiny text.

@Mad Cow is probably the best authority on this.

@Gatorman @Mad Cow

So...a few months ago I had an eye infection in my right eye and wore no contact on that side until it healed. Basically unwanted monovision. But this time I adjusted. Honestly it was GREAT. I've stuck with it. Multifocal in the left eye, no contact in the right. I haven't needed reading glasses at all and don't even know where they are anymore.

So, I'm seeking some advice now. Should I try going all-in on distance vision on the left instead of the multi-focal? I do miss having that eagle vision like I had with my old distance contacts, and I'm not certain the "multifocal" part is necessary since I'm using my right eye for near vision. I do also have astigmatism so I will probably consider something for that (multifocal + astigmatism wasn't a thing when I originally settled on my multifocal lenses).

You can try whatever you want. When you go in for the exam let the doc know your thoughts and he(She) will likely give you a trial lens so you can see for yourself. If you do not like the "Distance only" CL in the eye, it can be switched back. Easy Peasy.

What he said. You actually have the luxury of trying this out. Good luck.

Well sure, yes. I was aware of that. Was hoping someone might have some wisdom acquired from experience to share.

This is a very individual thing. Other people's experiences at this level are just going to tell you that it will work for you or it won't. Each patient is different.

 

[Peggy]

I get a new progressive pair of glasses every 3-4 years. Glasses on all the time. Once you get used to it (~2 weeks) you can’t live without it.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

Quick tip:

Don't buy the cheap reading glasses from the TikTok shop. They look cool, but they suck.

I'm sure there are many, I'm just telling you not to buy the ones I bought. Even though I can't tell you which ones they are.

They ended up being some weird progressive (no prescription on the top and a +1.50 on the bottom). They would probably be alright once I get used to them but for now, they suck.

Thanks for listening.