I guess I need glasses. Advice?

[WWJD]

You people are the best cross section of experiences I have a connection with so here is my question for those that have been there before. I'm finally loosing clear vision up close, but I dred spending hundreds of dollars on special prescription lens I will drop, break, lose, etc every few months - because I know me... same cycle I have with sun glasses.

People have told me to go get tested, then go to Walmart or where ever and buy the appropriate "Reading glasses" for $5. Do they make those with clear upper parts and magnifying lower parts like bi-vocals? And can I really get away with these cheap yet functional reading glasses? My vision past like 2 feet is perfect for miles.

here's me with a poor choice of rims... oh, and some extra enhanced hair

 

[mike1180]

That hair on the roof looks fake.

I use reading glasses that are only 1/2 lens, so the top is not there and when you look down you get the magnification.
3 pairs at Costco were $12 so I bought 6 and salted them around so there is always a pair near.

 

[lazy boy]

Thats what I did no prob. Just buy the better glasses $15.

 

[outtahand]

Good luck. It doesn't hurt to work with a cheap solution till you see what your livestyle presents you.

I have found that the variety of situations I face lead me to want a number of solutions.
Contacts for driving and walking around, and then prescription glasses to see what's in my hand, but then what about sunglasses, because I always wear them in daylight.
progressive bi-focals, again, the sunglasses issue.
I got comfy when it was just contacts and regular sunglasses,
or prescription glasses and prescription sunglasses, and my prescription stayed the same for years. I built up a wardrobe of nice designer frames, some even with color to match an outfit. Now, with this bi-focal thing, it's definitely a pain.
Good luck finding a happy solution! (and inexpensive)

 

[HillbillyTom]

I have the same vision problem, just a little more advanced (like my age). Regular prescription glasses are expensive yes, but they work. The reading glasses are a PITA and will get dropped, broke, lost, etc.. every few days and usually are a compromise at best. With 'script glasses you put them on when you get up in the morning and don't take them off until you go to bed. Those are the only 2 times they can get dropped. If they get broke, well more than likely so will your nose, along with a black eye or some other facial injury from whatever hit you in the face to break them. The only time I've ever lost my glasses was on the bike. I took them off, put 'em in their case and stuck said case in my (outer) jacket pocket, forgetting to zip up said pocket. Lesson learned, now I always put them in an inner pocket or my tankbag if I'm wearing my 1 pc. suit.
Sooner or later your going to have to get regular glasses. Get 'em sooner, get used to them (takes maybe an hour), and go on with your life.

My :2cents:

 

[HillbillyTom]

Good luck. It doesn't hurt to work with a cheap solution till you see what your livestyle presents you.

I have found that the variety of situations I face lead me to want a number of solutions.
Contacts for driving and walking around, and then prescription glasses to see what's in my hand, but then what about sunglasses, because I always wear them in daylight.
progressive bi-focals, again, the sunglasses issue.
I got comfy when it was just contacts and regular sunglasses,
or prescription glasses and prescription sunglasses, and my prescription stayed the same for years. I built up a wardrobe of nice designer frames, some even with color to match an outfit. Now, with this bi-focal thing, it's definitely a pain.
Good luck finding a happy solution! (and inexpensive)

For the sunglasses problem, get Transistions (sp?) lenses. No more sunglasses problems.

And for Bi-Focals, get progressive lenses along with transistions.

 

[outtahand]

For the sunglasses problem, get Transistions (sp?) lenses. No more sunglasses problems.

I know, but I like to have my lenses tinted to match the frames on my sunglasses...
I know, picky picky picky.

And I didn't mention, even with the bi-focals I still have to take the glasses off sometimes.
I don't even want to think tri-focals.
I'm thinking Lasik!

 

[WWJD]

yeah.... I'm not so much worried about my glasses matching my outfits. hehehehehe

Thanks for the input guys, you all rock! I don't want contacts at all for 72 reasons even though I am sure they work great. An actually my vision only sucks under about 1.5 feet so the laser stuff won't help me at all from what I hear - or I'd let'em burn me tomorrow.

Do I have to go get checked first? I mean, I know I should - it's about time for an eye appintment, but can I go shopping for reading glasses right now anyway? I'm tired of small print I cant read up close, and when I pull it back, it gets too small to read in focus! I know it's Just part of aging. No big deal. Deal with it and move on I say

 

[outtahand]

yeah.... I'm not so much worried about my glasses matching my outfits. hehehehehe

Thanks for the input guys, you all rock! I don't want contacts at all for 72 reasons even though I am sure they work great. An actually my vision only sucks under about 1.5 feet so the laser stuff won't help me at all from what I hear - or I'd let'em burn me tomorrow.

Do I have to go get checked first? I mean, I know I should - it's about time for an eye appintment, but can I go shopping for reading glasses right now anyway? I'm tired of small print I cant read up close, and when I pull it back, it gets too small to read in focus! I know it's Just part of aging. No big deal. Deal with it and move on I say

You should get a full eye exam, simply to protect your vision. You could have something going on and not know about it. Some eye problems untreated can lead to loss of vision. Other eye problems are indications of other health problems. C'mon tightwad!

 

[mike1180]

Some of it is pride for me.
I am old enough and done everything pretty much enough times that even if I was blind I could do what I need to do.
So I wear the glasses when they are around and if not, stuff gets done anyway.
It is harder, and more effort, but now I am older and a little slower, so I don't need $400 glasses all the time to make me perfect.
I tried that, and with 56 years with no glasses, and hell, I don't care how much they help, what a PITA to wear glasses.
As always.... JMO

 

[slatroni]

That only happens when ya get around 40ish! I started having the same problem around ten-ish years ago.

 

[Wag]

If you don't wear glasses to see at distances, just get the $5 Target specials.

If you do wear glasses, then you're gonna need bifocals, dude.

--Wag--

 

[WWJD]

yeah I'll go for those cheap readers. do I just try them on and see how they work or what? I'm thinking I'll be "that guy" that is standing by the rotating rack, fondling every pair, seeing which works best for me. Is that how it's done?

Thanks for the input. I been 20/15 or better all my life - all my family has glasses since about 20 and i'm coming up on 45 so I feel I had a good run. I blame all that junk food for preserving my vision

 

[WWJD]

what are the hip frame types these days? I'm thinking rectangle but I really have no idea

 

[mike1180]

yeah I'll go for those cheap readers. do I just try them on and see how they work or what? I'm thinking I'll be "that guy" that is standing by the rotating rack, fondling every pair, seeing which works best for me. Is that how it's done?

Thanks for the input. I been 20/15 or better all my life - all my family has glasses since about 20 and i'm coming up on 45 so I feel I had a good run. I blame all that junk food for preserving my vision

They seemed to work on distance for me.
I had to pick the distance that I wanted to read something and then try on pairs that seemd to work best.
Different magnifications work better for closer or further.
Just have to try them on.

 

[euroR]

bi-focals make u look old, im an optician and trust me u dont want them. Only ones I say yes is over the counter Maui Jim with a built in bifocal window, u cant see the window from the front. But it only comes in 3 prescriptions windows, and its a sun glass, and they run 199 at my store. But a Progressive lens will be the best, only drawback is that you have to wear them all the time, and if its the first time I recomend Shamir Autograph II best progressive lens out there, a bit $$$ but worth it. Hope this helps some what, get wire frames like ICBerlin they are good for riding, and look cool. But u can always get arm extentions lol.

 

[Big Red]

yeah.... I'm not so much worried about my glasses matching my outfits. hehehehehe

Thanks for the input guys, you all rock! I don't want contacts at all for 72 reasons even though I am sure they work great. An actually my vision only sucks under about 1.5 feet so the laser stuff won't help me at all from what I hear - or I'd let'em burn me tomorrow.

Do I have to go get checked first? I mean, I know I should - it's about time for an eye appintment, but can I go shopping for reading glasses right now anyway? I'm tired of small print I cant read up close, and when I pull it back, it gets too small to read in focus! I know it's Just part of aging. No big deal. Deal with it and move on I say

Get your eyes checked to make sure there are no eye problems like macular degeneration, glaucoma,stigmatism etc.

 

[outtahand]

what are the hip frame types these days? I'm thinking rectangle but I really have no idea

Anything by Kenneth Cole

IMO Tom Ford is the best eyewear designer, but I have no idea which label he is with. I love what he did for Gucci - those styles will be timely for another 15 years at least

 

[mrsBusawhipped]

BusaWhipped goes to WalMart for the eye exam and his glasses. The frames are bendable wire, virtually indestructable and the lenses are made of some sort of "plastic". The glasses are not cheap, (special prescription lenses) cause he basically is blind without them. But he can pretty much do anything to these things and they are fine.

I on the other hand I am a little near sited and just the barest of prescription helps me alot. So maybe just go to the $5 special rack and try some on and see how they work for you. But you really need to get an eye exam, young man!!!!

 

[WWJD]

... aw shuck.... yes, mom! it's been a couple years so I'll go get "poofed" etc