Bi-focal Sunglasses!!

[Kingfisher]

For those who like me suffer from "short arm disorder" without glasses, have a look at http://www.readers4riders.co.za
Nice sunglasses with optical strenghts from +1.5 to +2.5 in 0.25 increments, and fits inside your helmet.

[DarkHelmet]

Huh?

This is a post of total ignorance, I used to test 20/20 vision but lately starting to notice a slight decrease in vision. Nothing that might really justify glasses but I can not always see as far as I am used to.

Do we have eye-experts here that can point out things to watch out for?

I think this is a very good topic to elaborate on.

[DarkHelmet]

On a sidenote, I always hear my dad going on about "varifocals" (my limited knowledge understands 3 lenses in one, someone elaborate please)

Dad is astigmatic, my entire family has been wearing glasses except me, I always "pass" the test.

I can read this text perfectly clear at ruler length from my forehead. Pretty clear 1m away too!

Would someone please elaborate on the various eye disorders and tell-tale signs?

I surely suffer from Jameson-ites - Too much Jameson and I have to close one eye to read, but that is substance induced

[Kingfisher]

This would be more a thing for "far sighted" people, loosing close-up focus & need reading glasses.
You can see for miles, but your instruments are out of focus.
The condition is called presbyopia. Crappy side effect of ageing.

[Tumbleweed]

When you start crapping out the suppliers for printing smaller invoices and the phone directory becomes blurry and you increase the font of your computor screen then you've reached the normal milestone in life where your eyes are tired of focussing on small objects.

Go to Clicks and try out the R140.00 reading glasses.

[MADDOG]

If you can't read the label on your beer can, you are near sighted.
If my wife looks attractive from across the road, you are short sighted.


I was wondering why the the baseball appeared to be getting bigger, and then it hit me!

[vernon11]

Huh?

This is a post of total ignorance, I used to test 20/20 vision but lately starting to notice a slight decrease in vision. Nothing that might really justify glasses but I can not always see as far as I am used to.

Do we have eye-experts here that can point out things to watch out for?

I think this is a very good topic to elaborate on.

I am no eye expert.
When I first started having those same symtoms, The optomatrist told me to hang on as long as possible, because wearing glasses does make your eyes lazy. I waited for about four or five years before I sucummed. admittedly, I was not flying at the time. DH wait as long as you safely can. I now wear my specs on the bridge of my nose, so I can read the instruments.
Fly safe with vision.
Vernon(^^)

[vernon11]

On a sidenote, I always hear my dad going on about "varifocals" (my limited knowledge understands 3 lenses in one, someone elaborate please)

Dad is astigmatic, my entire family has been wearing glasses except me, I always "pass" the test.

I can read this text perfectly clear at ruler length from my forehead. Pretty clear 1m away too!

Would someone please elaborate on the various eye disorders and tell-tale signs?

I surely suffer from Jameson-ites - Too much Jameson and I have to close one eye to read, but that is substance induced

DH. Stay away from the virifocals. They are the most uncomfortable spec to wear. If you are short sited, it make working on a Pc terrible for starters. You have to crane your neck to see what you are doing. As a result one hell of a stiff neck. I have had two pairs. Never again.
As tumbleweed says. Got to Clicks and get their 140.00 specs. The last time I baught, I paid 39.00 a pair for the exact same thing at Crazy Store. I am fortunate, as both my eyes are the same.

[DarkHelmet]

the "Pink Lady" has no instruments, so I do not have a problem reading them!

Is there a "Read the Star at 30cm" rule or something?

my sight is still awesome

[nickjaxe]

I found my near vision deteriorated making it hard to focus on near objects...normally starts to happen around the age of 40,

Anyway I was having probs reading my chart in the air and seeing the radio freqs ect....I went to one of our discount high st chains we have in the UK...and got my self a pair of Bi-focals with a free pair of Bi-focal sunglasses both with nice big main lenses to stop blind spots...never looked back..no pun,

I believe our CAA over here in the UK are not keen on vari-focals and I dont think I would fancy them for flying,

If you know you prescription bi-focals are available very cheaply on ebay....saying that they do really need to be set to suit your eye spacing.

Nick.

[Nick]

I posted on this topic on Avcom fairly recently which may be of interest - here.

[MILO]

I have been wearing glasses for 15 years. the shock to me was my first eye test. I could see a nail in the wall at 3m and also realised my son had eye lashes! My gradual loss of good eyesight was very subtle and its like watching your kids grow up... you don't really notice it. I am very short sighted and am in the "fortunate" position of being able to wear my glasses all the time, the long sighted chaps have a problem as its glasses on & off all the time. I also discovered over time I became light sensitive, I know it sounds crazy but you end up closing one eye in bright conditions.
I now wear multifocalls and the doc said its takes a lot of getting used to, well for me it did not and its the best thing i've done in a long time.
Upside
I can now see well (my softness looks good on the other side of the street! and I can tell the difference between a Carling & a Hansa without tasting)
Downside
Not cheap (spend the money here its well worth it - tungsten frames- nice & flexible & reusable, anti reflective (they put a fine layer on the inside of the lens to stop the refection into your eye from bright lights from behind - like driving at night), hardening, etc.
A bitch when wearing headsets as with mullti's the glasses need to be in a specific position to have the best effect, the ear muffs move the glasses around a bit which can be annoying especially flying trikes.
They don't last too long, mine last about 2 years but its well worth the upgrade.
They won't tint inside the car on a bright day.

I spent a fair amount on a consulation with an eye specialist (gyro pilot of note) and he said I can give you 20/20 vision- long or short sight?, so there was an option. Cost - quite scary! long term benefit none, as pointed out in a previous post eyesight deterioratation is ongoing. My buddy can see a ball hair on a miggie at 300m but can't see the number on a numer 12 spanner.

Grab the bull by the horns (if you are wearing your glasses) otherwise by the horn...and have your eyes checked out and take the best option to sort it out, you won't be sorry.