A Complete Guide to Choosing Bifocal Glasses

It was Benjamin Franklin that first introduced the world to bifocal glasses. Thus, whenever one hears this term, they immediately wonder whether or not he invented these types of glasses. In any case, they are very useful and are certainly worth considering if you have multiple vision problems that need to be corrected.

Learn How Your Bifocals Work

The first thing you need to do when choosing such eyewear is to learn how do they work. They consist of a pair of lens powers that are located together on a single lens. Thus, if you suffer from presbyopia and farsightedness, then you can solve your vision problems with just one pair.

Normally, the top portion of the lenses helps you correct your vision so that you can properly focus on things at a distance. This kind of vision correction makes walking and driving that much easier and better. The lower portion of the lens has the power that allows you to read and view objects at a close distance.

With both the powers on a single lens, you do not need to buy two separate glasses. This is the main benefit of bifocal glasses. If your vision problem is especially severe, then you should consult an eye doctor and perhaps opt for trifocals.

Look for Comfort

When choosing your bifocals, you need to ensure they are comfortable and nice looking. Most importantly, they should correct both your vision problems. You may also want to get certain lens treatments to protect your eyes even further. One such lens treatment is an anti-reflective coating that eliminates reflections that would otherwise distract your attention. This coating also allows a higher amount of visible light to enter and this works well when you are wearing bifocals for night driving.

Changing Light Conditions

If you spend a lot of time indoors and outdoors, then to accommodate changing light conditions, you should consider opting for photochromatic lenses. These lenses darken and lighten according to prevailing light conditions. They will darken in bright conditions and lighten in dark conditions.

There is another type of bifocal glasses that are currently very popular. They are known as progressive glasses. In this type, there is no visible dividing light between the two lens powers. Thus, they are less noticeable and more attractive.

It Takes Time to Get Used to Your New Pair

When you start wearing your bifocals, you will need some time to get used to them. At first, objects may appear to jump around and this can make you feel unsteady and you feel like you are off-balance. You can also feel some dizziness on account of having to quickly adjust your vision.

Bifocal eyeglasses are especially useful for older people. However, they will need to take time to get accustomed to moving their eyes up and down. properly focus on objects at different distances.

If you are not as yet accustomed to the bifocals, you can use a few tips to help ease the process. First of all, as soon as you wake up in the morning, you should put on your bifocals and wear them for a few hours. This builds up your tolerance and you will soon become more used to your glasses.

Also, avoid switching between your new bifocals and your old glasses as it would only end up prolonging the time it takes for you to get used to your bifocals. Also, ensure that your glasses fit your face perfectly as then the glasses won’t slide down your nose and cause more problems.

When walking, make sure that your eyes are focused at a point straight ahead. Do not look down at your feet when walking and wearing bifocals. When reading a book, make sure it is at a decent distance from your eyes and also focus your eyes at the bottom part of the page.

The bottom line is bifocal glasses are very aesthetically attractive and are much more attractive than a regular pair of regular eyeglasses. The more you understand how bifocals work, the more well prepared you will be and the less time it will take for you to become accustomed to your new pair.

Even if in the beginning you find it hard to get used to your bifocal glasses, do not give up. Keep in mind that it takes time to get used to them and once this time is over, you will have no problems focusing on objects at different distances.