(I  gather it's called a refraction)
I got fitted for contacts.
I wanted bi/multi focals. I've been using +2.00
store bought readers for a couple of years now.

First exam the doc dilated and used the machine
you look through at the projected eye chart on the
wall. "better?", "how about now?", "and now?". One
eye at a time. Things looked pretty sharp. He trialed
me with acuvue bifocals. Outside distance was really
bad. Out of focus, blurry, maybe multiple images. I
figured it would take time for my brain to deal with
the multiple images.  Over about three weeks I went
back multiple times and he must have checked me
with the machine at least 3 more times. Once with the
contacts in. The distance never got much better. I
really didn't have a noticeable problem with my distance
vision before and this was notably worse. He said I
had a small astigmatism in one eye and very slight in
the other. I got the impression that he thought it wasn't
significant enough to take into account.

We started with:
Right: +0.75 add +2.50
Left:    +1.25 add +2.00

Then went to:
Right: +1.00 add +2.00
Left:    +1.50 add +2.00

Near was pretty good all the time. I got the impression
that he was pretty much done with me (like I'd used up
my trial shot and it was time move on). I suggested that
we try less distance power since it was *way* better
uncorrected.

Last shot:
Right: +0.50 add +2.50
Left:    +0.50 add +2.50

I had had asked to try a bit more add and I think the
+2.00 was a bit better. Too bad they don't come in +2.25.
The distance got much better but still the same problem
just not as bad -- actually about half as bad?

Anyway the last visit he said we'd tried just about everything
and "95% of people would be really happy with this vision".
Basically I think he was just done with me. I don't think he
was a quack or anything (nice enough guy) but I ended up
with the impression that when I signed up he was going to
put me in acuvue bifocals and that was it. I'm just writing it
off and will start over with another doc. I just told him to send
my supply to me with the last script -- probably just end up
tossing them. I really want to try RGPs.

I probably should have had him send me +0.00 add +2.00?
My main objective is to get rid of the readers.

My question is this: It seemed that I could see very sharply
when tested. Better than uncorrected maybe at distance.
Darkened room with projected eye chart. Looked to be about
15 to 20 feet. But only once for a bit did he have me looking
through both eyes at the same time. But outside of the exam
room my vision is worse at distance. Maybe past 20 or 30 feet
to infinity.

Any ideas? thanks,
-Quick