I have not worn glasses for flying, except for occasional reading glasses. I have Progressives, but rarely wear them. I really need to start wearing them while I'm flying now, it's getting obvious!

I'm trying to figure out whether I should get Progressive lenses that are also Transitions that darken in the sunlight. I've never worn sunglasses while flying before, but maybe it's time. Does anyone have any opinions on what sort of glasses are best to fly with?

I have never been a glasses wearer, so I am really struggling with the best kind of lenses for this. Getting old sucks!

I would not get transitions, if they get dark at the wrong time that would be bad (ie your buddy turned on the cockpit lights), and they might be too dark or not dark enough at any given moment.

You probably just need duplicate prescription sunglasses.

Progressive are a matter of taste, but it creates a band of blur across the panel.

Traditional bifocals at least have a clear-cut demarcation, and you can have that positioned higher or lower so it doesn't cut right across the middle of PFD. I'd measure that before you get them made, use a grease pencil to draw the line where you want it on some spare glasses, then show that to the optician.

Thank you much for the advice, rickair7777.

I will stay away from transitions, then, it sounds like they could be a problem.

I'm not really sure about getting bifocals, and where to draw the line on them. This is brand new to me, and I have no idea where the line ought to be....how much should be reading, and how much should be distance.

Hmm, thought I was going to get transitions, but if bifocals are easier for flying then I'll look into them.

Have been flying with progressives in the Bus. Generally ok. The upper circuit panel is tough. I just look over them or take them off. The transitions work but a dedicated sunglass will be better for glare. YMMV.

Tell the truth, I've never worn sunglasses while flying, ever. But I have heard of sunglasses that have readers on the bottom of them (non-prescription), so maybe I'll consider those. I also fly the Bus (obviously). Good to know that your progressives are working for you with them.

Progressives versus straight bifocals are a matter of personal preference generally. Transitions will not necessarily respond to light in the cockpit like you think they would, especially LEDs that may be putting out frequencies that you don't even see that will make them darken.

If all you REALLY need is reading glasses, just go with them. But if you do need more, there are specialty opticians that will build you bifocals or trifocals attuned to the focal length of what is needed in the cockpit of your panel, including nearby overhead switches and whatever it takes.

https://www.zeiss.com/vision-care/en...he-clouds.html

I use Varilux. After short transition period (a day) they are the most natural glasses I have ever used. The overhead is the only problem, that and taking the eye test where the need to use specific parts of the lens is critical.

GF

I have been wearing progressive glasses with transitions for years no problem. I have a prescription set of sunglasses for the cockpit and driving as transitions only do good in direct uv light.

I understand what you mean by "the overhead is the only problem", but I am uncertain how to interpret the rest of the sentence, or what to do about it.

I appreciate all the answers here. It looks like people prefer different solutions. From researching, it looks like the Varilux might be the best option for my particular vision issues. I hope it isn't crazy expensive, though.

Transitions won’t get dark when in the car or cockpit since the glass has UV insulating properties. Normally the upper part of the lenses are calibrated for distance vision and the lower half is set to near vision in Progressives. This is great Except it does not help for viewing the overhead panel clearly (near vision). Sux getting old!