In my case I did something very similar to what rickair7777 suggested. Saw an MD, got glasses, and then reported the visit on my 1st Class application as a routine eye exam (which it legitimately was).

And then for 2+ years I always brought my specs (basically "readers") to my AME appointments... but *never volunteered* to wear them for the eye test... even though I would wear them as needed in the cockpit.

But yes, once the day came that I heard the inevitable (but not unexpected), "Can you read that last line for me again?" it was a complete non-issue when I asked, "Okay if I put my glasses on for this?"

And with that, the *only* things that changed were: the annotation on my medical indicating that I needed glasses for near vision, AND I started carrying a "pair and a spare" whenever I flew.

As for progressives vs bifocals... that's been a *much* more complicated process (for me) to navigate, but there's some *really* solid advice to be found in some of the other postings RE: progressive brands, bifocal demarcation-line placement, etc.

Good luck!