I have tri-focals, so I have 3 levels to see out of and sometimes it gets
confusing.  I just move my head to see which works.  But mostly I
automatically go to the one I need and I'm sure you will too in time.

It seems to me I heard somewhere that Bonnie Brien wrote in article
<17480-4494AF75-459@storefull-3154.bay.webtv.net>:

I changed to continuous-curve (no-line) lenses as soon as I could,
several years ago, and never want to go back.  Unfortunately the extra
cost isn't covered by my insurance but I'm glad to pay out of pocket.
YMMV :-)

Hi Bonnie,
On the other side.....
I had lineless trifocals and actually hated them. Couldn't handle trifocals
period. Went to bifocal and separate reading glasses. Pain in the rear
having to change, but better than tri's. Also switched to lined bifocal and
did better with them than lineless. They can vary the height of the lower
reading portion and I had them make mine very small. The line was no problem
after that as it wasn't in my upper area of vision. About 2 yrs ago I had
the Lasik procedure done and had fantastic results! I still need 1.25x
magnifiers for reading due to macular degeneration . I'm 56 so this is
normal. These glasses can be bought as cheaply as $3 a pair. If the line is
in your normal vision area have them adjust the lens to a lower bifocal
point.
GaryZ

Bonnie,

I started wearing bifocals at an early age also.  I have always used
the lined.  However, like Gary suggested I "love" the bifocal line very
small so it is not in my normal vision.  They always say you don't want
it that low and then I say "Yes, I do."  It works for me.  I like it to
hit about the bottom of my eyelid when my head is held up straight.
You will learn what works for you.

My friend has the no line and he takes his off all the time to read.
He has never done well with them.  It does take a while so don't give
up. Good luck!

debbie m.

I found that the "continuous curve" (or "lineless") reduced the actual reading
area because of the amount of glass area needed to bend the two magnifications.
As a technician, I needed as much close-up area as I could get so I didn't have
to keep moving my head to keep everything in focus. I did purchase a pair of
clip-on magnifiers which turn my distance area into a reading area, and my
reading area into a close-up area. They're good for extreme work.

One time I was installing some phone jacks in my girlfriend's house and I had
to lay on my side to install a jack in a tight corner. To see what I was doing,
I put my glasses on upside down so I could look "up" and still be able to make
the connections.

I also had a pair of computer glasses made; they have a single magnification
set between my distance and reading settings. It lets me sit back and see my
screen without having to slide the glasses down to the tip of my nose.

Nothing works for everyone; and what does work for you may not work every time.
Such is life...

----------------------

mr-dot-bones-at-att-dot-net

"Should be" and "Is" rarely agree.

I have progressive (no line) bifocals.  I decided to try them because I do a
lot of sewing and I thought it would be good to have the "middle range"
adjustment for that.  My brother says he liked progressives for his first
pair of bifocals, but when his reading lenses got stronger he couldn't stand
them at all.  he now wears the traditional bifocals and has a separate pair
of glasses for computer work (he's a software consultant).

Still, they told me it would take a week to get used to even the
progressives.  My first ones drove me absolutely nuts.  After a week I went
back and told them things seemed to be set too high.  They made me another
pair of lenses under their warranty and the second pair were a breeze.  When
I later changed frames and got new lenses again, they were fine too.  So....
give it a while to adjust, but if it isn't getting better in a week or two,
go back to the place where you got the glasses!