A year ago I purchased a pair of polycarb PALs from my local
independant optician and they were awful, especially when trying to
read through the bottom part of the lenses. Less than sharp vision.

My prescrition:   R: -2.25
                 L: -3.50
                 Add: 1.75

I took them back and replaced them with the Trilogy lenses.  A big
difference.  They provide excellent optics.  They're more expensive
but worth every cent.   I'll never get polycarbs again.

Larry,

The rather abstract notion of 'quality' is becoming more abstract all the
time.  At one time, the 'quality' of vision was all that mattered.

Keep the faith.

DrG

Go to a bunch of opticians and ask a lot of questions.  You should be able
to get at least decent idea whether they know what they're talking about and
whether they're willing to spend time with you.

Here's some info and links to a lot more:  http://vision9.home.comcast.net/

- D

You can go to the manufacturer web site and find the "professional" links.
But I would try Google Groups and search the archives of this forum. These
questions have been discussed many times.
http://groups.google.com/groups?num=50&hl=en&lr=lang_en&newwindow=1&q=sci.med.vi
sion&btnG=Search

Strangely enough, I have found the opticians at Wal-Mart to be above average
in knowledge. I think this is partly because of their age. It is best to
find someone who is old enough to wear PAL's themselves. IN any optical
shop, ask to speak to the head optician, even if it means coming back later.
Qualify them by asking questions to see if they know the answer.

Just keep in mind that there is no one lens that works best for everyone.

<snip>

,snip>

I would also recommend a general site like All About Vision.com. The page
on progressives is at:

http://www.allaboutvision.com/lenses/progressives.htm

They also have a lot a general information about lens materials, shapes,
as well as medical conditions on other pages.

After almost 40 years of wearing glasses since the third grade, I got my
first set of PAL's last week. I did do a lot of reading first, but based
on my ophthamalogist's suggestions and a lot of reading of web sites and
this group, I felt confident in trying them. I still have to remind
myself to "look down" when reading, but I was able to "see" without
consciously having to think about not looking to the periphery by the end
of the third day.

My prescription:    OD -6.50/-1.25 x008 (R)
            OS -7.75/-0.50 x180 (L)
            Add +1.50                

Based on the archives of this group and my ophthamalogist, I decided to
go to 1.67 lenses from the 1.6 lenses that I got seven years ago.

The following prices are in Canadian dollars, trading at about $1.00 US
to $1.20 CAN.

I tried a higher end private optometrist/ophthalmalogist practice in town
that my dad had used when he needed help as his eyesight deteriorated due
to a tumor. It was obvious that the staff and product were first rate.
They suggested Rodenstocks with Crizlar coating. With $140 CAN frames,
their PAL's totalled about $650 CAN ($540 US). Most of their customers
seemed to have insurance plans. I did not.

Lenscrafters, with similar frames, and after a HALF OFF sale on the
lenses, quoted me a total of $390 CAN ($325 US) for frames and 1.67
PAL's. They promptly told me that they did not do the lenses and would
shop them out. However, they would not tell me the name of the
manufacturer of either the lens or of the AR coating. "We use all of the
top brands" was the most I got out of them. Not very confidence
inspiring.

My "regular" ophthalmalogist works in a mixed practice with optometrists
and other ophthalmalogists. I only see her for eye exams and field vision
tests, as she has farmed me out to another specialist for my glaucoma.
She came back with similar frames, Crizlar coating, and 1.67 Seiko
Proceed PAL's for a total of $430 CAN ($360 US). Essilor was the other
lens brand she recommended, but they apparently were not available in the
frame lines that I wanted. No problem with trust here.

I will leave Lenscrafters to the people who have modest myopia.

Dennis

Make sure you talk to the lead optician in the store, preferably one who is
old enough to wear PAL's themselves. Ask them quesitons and see if they know
the correct answer. If you get advice before hand, you may not need to very
best advice from an optician about which product to buy. But you will need
someone who is skilled at fitting PAL's. Money back guarantees are a must.

If you find the manufacturer's web site, always go to the links for
"professionals." You may not get all the info you want, but more info than
is supplied for the consumer sites. Keep in mind that they vast majority of
opticians do not have college degrees, and the information provided to them
by manufacturers (or their employer) is geared accordingly.