BOB Bifocals for old eyes

BrewIt - January 3, 2022

I’ve always kept a pair of cheap “cheaters” in my BOB, vehicle and everywhere else I think I might need them.  I’ve recently begun swapping them out for safety glass with bifocal lenses.  They are apx $15 at most local home improvement stores and come in different strengths.  Last thing I want is an eye injury when I need my eyes most.

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Would bifocal safety glasses have any benefit for those who have good vision? Does the bifocal area have a magnifying effect that could be used for small detailed work?

When my eyes do age and I will need bifocals, it’s good to know that there is an option like this available for me.

 

I can’t answer.  Next time you’re at a store that sells “cheaters”, slip on a pair and see if they do the trick.  

 

No. They would not help you, they would only make you dizzy (and if you spun around quickly with them on, you’ll likely throw up – lol). Safety glasses are a great idea in your kits though.

People start to develop ‘age related far sightedness’ around the age of 45 – 50 y/o as the eyes decrease in elasticity and the focal point on the retina shits. 

 

Thank you for your input Trace. I’ll stay away from these kind of safety glasses then until I need them.

 

I dont like bifocals, my dad had them and he was always falling over his feet as there was a line where the two different lenses met, I always buy seperate  long distance AND reading glasses, and the old pairs are never thrown out, they go into my stash, one can never have too many pairs of glasses.

 

I would never ever wear them all of the time.  I use these when I’m working on a project where wearing safety glasses is prudent.   I need the magnification for close up but not for other distances.   In my BOB, instead of carrying two pairs of glasses (readers and safety), I can carry these.  

 

The newest generation of bifocals are progressive lenses (also known as multi focal lenses). They are mainly designed for people who have near sightedness (can’t see far) then develop age related far sightedness (now can’t see close either). They don’t have the old bifocal line and look exactly like normal glasses (“these are not your daddy’s glasses”).

They have a focal point on the bottom for reading, middle bottom for computer/dashboard distance, and the remaining upper portion is for distance. Quality matters on these, cheap ones will leave you disappointed. There is a learning curve for your eyes, you’ll occasionally be slightly dizzy for a few days until they settle in. 

I have progressive lenses for my prescription driving sunglasses, around the house glasses, and transition ones (getting dark like sunglasses if needed) for outside work/shooting/safety glasses. 

 

A few days?  It took me a month of spewing complaints.  But after that learning curve, it’s like MAGIC!  I recommend going through whatever learning curve your brain needs.  

 

You’re right, it’s probably closer to a few weeks (lol). It’s been several years since I got my first pair, but that does sound familiar. 

But you’re right once you get it, you get it! It’s like when I had 1 contact for distance and 1 for close vision, it screws with your brain for a while but, if you give it enough time, it will sort it out (and it’s worth it).