How long to adapt to bifocal contacts?

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Quick - 23 Jun 2005 18:18 GMT

I'm new to contacts. I'm new to any sort of proper
vision correction. I've used store bought readers
for a couple of years now. When my arms got too
short I pretty quickly progressed to +2.00 drug store
readers and then pretty much stayed there. Pretty
amazing. When it went it went fast. From ok to +2.00
in a matter of 6 months.

So recently I went for a proper eye exam and decided
to get contacts. Doc started me on Acuvue bifocals.
Changed the script a couple of times and back. I've
done some browsing and understand that it takes some
time to adapt to selecting the in focus image and it is
usually the distance vision that takes the longer than
the near and intermediate. I've been wearing the last
set for about a week now and my distance vision hasn't
"converged" yet. Is this enough time to say that it probably
isn't going to happen or do some people take longer?

thanks,
-Quick

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The Real Bev - 23 Jun 2005 22:58 GMT

> I'm new to contacts. I'm new to any sort of proper
> vision correction. I've used store bought readers
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> "converged" yet. Is this enough time to say that it probably
> isn't going to happen or do some people take longer?

I tried 8 pair of bifocal/multifocal RGPs with astigmatism corrections. I
adapted to the good ones instantly -- it was like putting in real eyes.
Unfortunately they moved around too much and I ended up getting distance-only
softies, but I was really sorry I couldnd't make the multifocals work.

It sucks being 40, but being 60 sucks even worse!

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Cheers,
Bev
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Calling someone an a.shole for being rude to a telemarketer
is like accusing someone who's shot a burglar in his home
of being a poor host." -- W.S.Rowell

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Marc - 14 Jul 2005 19:13 GMT

I started multi-focal contacts about 3 years ago. Before that, my only
glasses were reading glasses.

My doctor tried both Acuvue and Focus Progressives. I preferred the Focus
Progressives. My prescription is 1.25 OD and 1.5 OA. The near on all Focus
Progressives is supposed to be +3.0

I was disappointed with my progress at two weeks, but kept with them.
Really didn't want spectacles. Without thinking too much about it, I
noticed that everything was as clear as I wanted it after about six weeks.

An interesting thing for me is that even now I seem to be still adapting.
Vision seems to be getting better. As an example, reading was the first and
easiest, but finding the slot on a dark screw with a dark screwdriver was
not possible at first. Those small ones, like on the old PCI cards. Now I
don't have too much trouble with that.

Multifocal contacts are not as crisp as spectacles but a heck of a lot more
convenient. I'll stay with them.

Marc

> I'm new to contacts. I'm new to any sort of proper
> vision correction. I've used store bought readers
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> thanks,
> -Quick

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Quick - 14 Jul 2005 20:00 GMT

Thanks for the response. It's been more than 2 weeks
for me. Near was pretty good right from the start. It's
the distance that has been bad and doesn't seem to
be getting much better. By "bad" I mean that it's
significantly worse than without correction at all. And
by distance I mean past about 10 feet. Blurred,
double/ghost image, changing focus and a very
noticeable decrease in depth perception. I think
the doc is going to have me try progressives next.
Maybe I'll have to go for translating bifocals. Yes,
not having to hassle with the readers all the time is
*very* nice.

-Quick

> I started multi-focal contacts about 3 years ago. Before
> that, my only glasses were reading glasses.
[quoted text clipped - 43 lines]
>> thanks,
>> -Quick

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Marc - 14 Jul 2005 23:19 GMT

My whole fitting process was a trial and error process with me trying
different strengths and the doctor getting the free trial packs. He started
me out way too strong. My first ones were impossible. Lights had big halos
around them. I think I tried six different strength combinations before I
got the right ones.

I have 20/15 with the current prescription, but far vision (like 200' plus)
is not as clear as without any contacts or glasses. My doctor said that
optometrists are only concerned with 20'. Further than that is supposed to
be infinity. Acuvues were too blurred (for me) at far distances to read
road signs . Focus Progressives let me see them all ok at highway speeds to
navigate safely.

If you are still trying trial packs, it sounds like to me you might want go
a step down and see if the image improves.

I think ghosting is standard with simultaneous multifocals. The adjusting
is your brain learning to ignore the ghosting. It took a long time for me.
It will happen if you have the patience to stick with it. It hasn't all
gone away but I hardly notice it or pay attention to it. As I said before,
spectacles will give the clear, crisp vision but I made my choice for
acceptable vision and the convenience of no glasses.

I'm not a doctor, so all the above is subject to correction. It works for
me at least. Your mileage may vary, as everyone says.

> Thanks for the response. It's been more than 2 weeks
> for me. Near was pretty good right from the start. It's
[quoted text clipped - 58 lines]
> >> thanks,
> >> -Quick

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