arby

Overall, it's a personal preference and what you are trying to use them for (flying only, Day/Night, everyday). I have been fitting pilots with sunglasses since 2014. Most pilots are using the progressive sunglass lenses for flying during the day. 95% of my RX sunglass sales to pilots are Serengeti Sunglasses. They are Photochromic or Light-Adjusting, non polarized trivex lenses and have a Transmittance range of 12-24% depending on how much UV light you have (bright light, 12% light comes through). I tell people that for daylight in the cockpit, the glasses usually adjusts "as needed" and is optimized from dusk to dawn. (There is UV protection already in most windows, so they won't adjust fully unless outside). Unlike transitions, they are always sunglasses and provide protection and eye relief all the time.

All the major brands seem to only make Progressive lenses or Single vision. They don't want "lines" in their lenses. B-Focals can be made with 3rd party labs or if they offer a Reader version (usually a $40 upcharge, great deal, but usually polarized only). There is always the $20 stick on bi-focals. Besides Serengeti, I have Ray-Ban, Oakley, Costa, Maui Jim and Randolph available in RX. Only Oakley, Serengeti and Randolph are available in Non Polarized. You may occasionally see my ads on this site, but If you want more information, check out my website at www.flightsunglasses.com and/or call us with your questions. We do provide good discounts compared to most eyecare providers. Now back to taxes, where are my readers...

busdriver12

Thank you for the information, arby.

For right now, I'm just going to focus on getting some good progressives. I do a lot of night flying. But I've looked into Varilux lenses, and that sounds like it could really be the way to go, as far as sharpest, most natural vision, smooth transitions from near to far. Just not sure if I should look at the Ellipse or the Physio, though.

3 green

It seems like 90% of the pilots I fly with prefer bifocals to progressives when flying..I tried both and strongly prefer bifocals myself.

MugsyMD

From an AME standpoint and also a prior F-14 pilot and now surgeon type - I don't use Transitions (get dark with UV detection) - it really depends - on the aircraft cockpit - and UV intake - and hence dedicated sunglasses have always been best.

As for Progressives (NO LINE BiFocals) - Much preferred over lined bifocals - as these types of multifocal lenses can give you a 'Sweet' spot at varying distances - you just have to know how to use them - I do all the time in surgery.

And, if you need an AME while in Orlando - look me up
FAAaeroMED.com