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Bifocals vs. Progressive Lenses ???

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Bifocals vs. Progressive Lenses ???

Old 07-07-2018, 10:04 AM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by 3 green View Post
After trying both progressives and bifocals, I strongly recommend bifocals while flying. U can have the magnification part of the lense cut to whatever height u choose.
I used tri-focals, bottom for looking at an approach plate, middle for the PFD and MFD, and top for looking out the window. A plane with an overhead panel with switches and other controls was a PITA thou.

I tried progressives many years ago and couldn't stand them. I'm even surprised the FAA allows pilots to use them. The blurry side vision was the biggest issue for me. Humans see motion much better with side vision than with straight ahead vision. It's been over a decade since I tried out the progressives so they may have gotten better.
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Old 06-08-2019, 01:52 PM
  #32  
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Default high cut bifocal

I see a few people have mentioned that they have been able to obtain custom, higher cut, bifocal so that the vision correction rises up to the top of the panel/glareshield. I have searched high and low and have not found anywhere online that offers this, nor even a single image of such a lens.

I would be grateful to anyone who can point me to an online resource, or explain the specs of the lens in more technical detail so I can discuss with a local optician.

I don't react well to the warping that my progressives are causing me and traditional bifocals just don't cut it for me either.

Thanks!
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Old 06-09-2019, 06:32 AM
  #33  
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Default Great custom optical lab!

Here is THE place to contact for custom glasses. I found Michael online several years ago, on some obscure pilot chat site . Michael has owned a specialty optical lab in Florida for many years.

He worked generously and enthusiastically with me to create a quadra-focal (reading, panel, outside, top panel). He even designed a magnetic sun-glass piece that I could pop on after breaking out and being in the sunshine again, while my view of the panel, upper panel and reading remained clear. I sent him my frames, and he re-worked the height of each segment a few times, and also changed the magnification of each segment a few times, too. The finished product was perfect!

https://www.questopticallab.com/a-word-from-michael

Quest Vision Care Specialty Lab in N. Largo, FL
Tell him the guy with the pilot quads glasses sent you (I don't get anything out of it other than the satisfaction of helping you get hooked-up with a really awesome guy!)
Best of luck.


Originally Posted by bionic View Post
I see a few people have mentioned that they have been able to obtain custom, higher cut, bifocal so that the vision correction rises up to the top of the panel/glareshield. I have searched high and low and have not found anywhere online that offers this, nor even a single image of such a lens.

I would be grateful to anyone who can point me to an online resource, or explain the specs of the lens in more technical detail so I can discuss with a local optician.

I don't react well to the warping that my progressives are causing me and traditional bifocals just don't cut it for me either.

Thanks!

Last edited by random dude; 06-09-2019 at 06:44 AM.
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Old 06-10-2019, 11:30 AM
  #34  
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keep in mind you only need to test 20/40 or better for a First or Second Class medical on the Near Vision and Intermediate Vision Tests*.


*intermediate only required age 50 and over. Not required for 3rd Class certification.
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Old 03-18-2020, 11:56 AM
  #35  
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Update. Just got Varilux progressives (top line option with best width, as recommended here), they're pretty awesome after having worn them for 15 minutes. Will take some getting used to but it's still better than bifocals, just need to fine-tune head pitch for the needed correction band, I think it will be second nature soon enough.
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Old 03-18-2020, 12:16 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by rickair7777 View Post
Update. Just got Varilux progressives (top line option with best width, as recommended here), they're pretty awesome after having worn them for 15 minutes. Will take some getting used to but it's still better than bifocals, just need to fine-tune head pitch for the needed correction band, I think it will be second nature soon enough.
I still love mine as well. I have the updated transition lenses on mine too. They will even go dark in the cockpit and vehicle.
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Old 08-21-2022, 04:20 AM
  #37  
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Sorry for the necropost. Anybody in the DFW area find a good doctor for Varilux? Feel free to DM. Thanks!
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