"Question for Bifocal Wearers!" Topic

I have my first pair of bifocals, purchased specifically for gaming. Essentially it's a "computer glasses" prescription, with up close focus on the bottom and arm's length focus above. This really helps with board games and miniatures games, otherwise I need to take my reading glasses on and off constantly.

I didn't get progressives, because I want the up close part and the arms-length part distinct.

So…

Are bifocals supposed to have a big fuzzy line through the middle? The two focus parts work *great*, but there's an annoying blurry line through the middle. I got pretty cheap glasses, so I don't know if this is because I got cheap bifocals or because all bifocals have this line.

If anyone's interested these cheap glasses were an experiment. Someone recommended Zenni's, an online prescription glasses place. I didn't trust it, but then found out it was $33.85 USD for bifocals that would otherwise have cost $150 USD at Costco so I decided to take a risk. While I'm not currently recommending them because I only just got these, so far they're working great. If they're not supposed to have a blurry line through the middle, then that's why they're so cheap. But if that line is just part and parcel of non-progressive bifocals then these may have been a good deal. The frames are a little ugly, but I could have taken more time choosing them.

Once I've had them a little longer I'll share my thoughts on these cheap glasses. I imagine a lot of people would like to know…

You'll find out if the prescription is good for you if the headaches don't turn up.

I used to wear bifocals until I retired then I got my eyesight laser adjusted.

Now I paint figures with only a simple and cheap pair of reading glasses.

I've been wearing varifocals for years, which don't get the blurry line, which I suspect is because you effectively have 2 different focus lenses 1 above the other. If they work for you well done. My only problem when I 1st started out was that when I turned my head the table wobbled like a rough sea! That was probably due to the split being wrong on the 1st pair which is 1 reason to make sure that they are properly measured before being made.

I can turn my head side to side and everything stays put.

No headaches, but I haven't worn them for extended periods. I'm more worried about the ear pieces being too tight than headaches.

I have always had progressive, no-line, bifocals and had no problem. Don't know what you may be experiencing. Perhaps speak with you eye doctor.

That blurry line is the choice you made when you wanted the close part and the arms-length part distinct.

I've got one of each: prescription before last is progressive with no blurry line, and the most recent pair is not-progressive and has the blurry line--but I'm scheduled for cataracts surgery this winter, and I decided the annoyance was worth the savings given it's a short-term thing.

It gets marginally less irritating as you wear them longer.

Bifocals have the line; progressives do not.

I have had progressive lenses for years without problems. I have 3 zones in my lenses since I needed an intermediate range to watch cardiac monitors, once I got used to them, no problems.

There is an alternate route for those just concerned with wanting a short focal distance for painting miniatures. You can pick up some of the cheap reading glasses that are sold on racks in discount stores just like cheap sunglasses. They come with varying degrees of magnification. If you need correction for astigmatism, it is possible to find some with frames that are flexible enough to permit them to be worn over your prescription glasses. Just make sure to experiment with them to make sure you have the right ones for your needs before you buy them.

For painting I do as Attila. Bifocals with astigmatism correction and slight magnification: 1.5.
Over that I wear a x3.5 or x4 cheap store magnification glasses, broad enough to fit over my bifocals.
Works like a charm even with my old eyes and painting even 1/300 to a high standard!

I'm in line for some bifocals soon,myself.

I had bifocals for several years, but when they started talking trifocals I went opted for the progressive lenses and wish I would have went with them instead of bifocals.

Same for me, I went ahead and opted for the progressives when the doc started talking trifocals and have not regretted it.

I use Varifocals but I am short sighted so for VERY close I take thewm off. No blur line. Drawback is 3 weeks of hell to get used to moving your head not your eyes. Sick with it and yopu will be OK. No taking them off except to sleep!

I use progressives – but still have a magnifier light for painting or I just take the glasses off for the details.

Zenni is a good deal – got a pair of sunglasses for $60 USD with progressive lens it would have been about $100. USD Much cheaper than the optician who charged me $500 USD for my last pair of progressives (varifocal for the Brits I suppose).

I take them off because I can't walk around in them. I can read things across the room without them, but not with them.

For close up work I have reading glasses, which work *great*. I do have astigmatism.

Thanks all, this has been very helpful. I gather the line is normal, and I think I am getting used to it. Maybe next time I'll try progressives, but my wife had progressive computer glasses and did not like them.

I'm happy with theses $34 USD Zenni's, but I'm not going to give them a real recommendation until I've had them a while. Certainly if you need a cheap back up pair or want to experiment with a different variation on your prescription as I did they're an option to consider.

My Bifocals have a very thin line which is hard to notice unless you are looking for it. The switch from short to long distance is basically not noticeable.

I wear trifocals and "clip on" 2 power magnifiers that I can flip up when not needed. The first clip on I found in the fly fishing department at L L Bean, buy have since seen them in the sewing department in craft stores. They're very handy and recommend them strongly.