Receive Answers
Our Blog
Ask an optometrist
D. George wrote:
My optometrist has said I must have two pairs of glasses instead of bifocals. Until now I have only used reading glasses. I can't understand his explanation. Heavy accent, keeps saying it the same way! :-) Small town, only one optometrist. Why would an optometrist not want me to have bifocals.
Dr. Sonja Gascoyne's response:
Dear D. George There might be a medical or work related reason why the optometrist suggested two pairs of spectacles instead of bifocals. Bifocals and progressive lenses do take a little bit of time to adapt to the way they work. The progressive lenses work with the distance vision at the top of the lens, intermediate near the middle and the reading area towards the bottom of the lens. If you look to the side the vision will be blurred so you must move your head and your eyes for the correct position. Initially, you will do this with thought but afterwards it will become second nature. The reason the vision is blurred at the sides is due to the change in the lens power of your prescription. The bifocal has only two distances: far sight at the top portion of the lens and near sight in the little segment portion. You must be careful when you change your viewing distance from far to near as you move down the lens objects will appear to jump up towards you. If you are still keen to try bifocals/progressive lenses, then do so but keep in mind a period of adjustment to get used to the new way the lenses work. It is sometimes easier to have one pair of spectacles rather than two. You can also go back to two pairs if bifocals/progressive lenses do not work for you.
No comment