Goggles

[skippydiesel]

Once again I seek your experience and opinions to assist me to make an informed decision. My thanks in advance

 

I am in the process of selecting new glasses to enhance my aircraft/terrain avoidance & navigation capabilities; From an earlier conversation/thread on this topic, I am starting my search by looking at bifocal's rather than multifocal's.

 

• I have found my local optometrists to be quite resistant to the idea of bifocals (no doubt cost/profit is a factor).
   
  
• In optometrists opinion, I will compromise my on lap reading of maps/charts OR my monitoring of panel mounted instruments.
   
  
• I added clip on sunglasses to my list of "wants" however my optometrist has advised that pretty well all clip on's use Polaroid lenses - contraindicated for pilots who have LCD screens in their aircraft. Optometrist has advised separate pair of prescription dark glasses (more profit).
   
  
• As with most small aircraft pilots, I wear a head set - glasses must have "arms" that will disturb/distort the cushion seals the least, to minimise noise entry - to this end I have been focusing (ha!) on wire type arms. I desire the very robust "memory" type metal arms but these do not conform well to my apparently difficult face/skull structure (a non conformist in every way).
   
  
• I would like to have relatively large lenses (function before form) to facilitate minimal peripheral (frame) interference. Again this seems to be a hard ask as most spectacles are aimed at the fashion conscious and large lenses are seemingly linked to larger/wider frames which do not fit my peculiar visage.
   
  

 

Sooo my questions are;

 

• Your thoughts on Bifocal's V Multifocal's ??
   
  
• Is there a clip on sun glass that is not polarising " ??
   
  
• Suggestions on make/retailer of glasses, suitable for wearing with a head set??
   
  
• Practical spectacles for ageing pilots ???
   
  

 

 

[facthunter]

Your sunglasses must be wrap around or you will get U/V damage from the sides. I could never get used to multifocals for landing. If you can't easily walk down a set of steps how are you going to judge distance accurately? Are your natural lenses changing much? Is it likely you have cataracts If so they correct all your astigmatism etc when they do the cataracts, so then you only need a straight magnification type correction 1.5 or 2x, for close up which costs about $20. for each pair. You need to protect from glare to help prevent macular degeneration. Nev

 

 

[IBob]

Hi Skippydiesel, my eyesight was good until about 10years ago, when the normal ageing started to set in.

 

I'm a huge fan of bifocals, I find they work very well for me in all settings.

 

I get the photochromic ones that darken in sunlight, and that has done away with squinting and swapping to sunglasses. My kids used to say they were creepy, but again i find they work very well.

 

And I get them in the flexible wire frame you describe, which are light and amazingly durable. They, and lense sizes, seem to come and go with fashion, and I've not seen any with larger lenses. Since they last so well (and they do) I guess the trick would be to grab a pair if you ever see them, and keep renewing the lenses.

 

Then there is always the Hollywood option: we had the aerobatics champs here recently, and I stepped out of the clubrooms into a sea of skyward facing RayBans..............)

 

 

[biggles]

I went from bi-vocals to multi-focals and found them to be a bit of a nightmare initially, never really feeling totally comfortable during the landing phase. Perseverence finally won out, and I couldn’t imagine not wearing them now. I have recently ordered a new set of transition (photochromic) lenses to replace the clip-ons which were always getting misplaced. The lenses don’t darken when driving or flying ( high wing anyway ), but are reported to reduce fatigue and eye strain. I have gone for the more popular grey ‘tinting’ opposed to brown. I expect that they also will take time getting used to, but as with most things for persons of my generation, perseverence appears to be the key...... Bob

 

 

[440032]

For another sunglass alternative - COCOONS Fitovers. I get mine direct from USA. Will never go back to prescription sunnies or clip-ons, no way.

 

 

[RocketShip]

Multifocals all day long, I have been wearing them for years now and they are great.

 

The only time I did have a problem was when the optometrist didn't get the point on the glasses where it starts the transition down to the reading section.

 

They had it to high up. It drove me crazy for awhile. I went back and they made the adjustment and then no problem. That was back in the early days of multifocal lens.

 

I have the same prescription in my sunglasses as well. Just love how good it works for me.

 

 

[skippydiesel]

Thank you all for your thoughtful input and sharing of experience - I will raise the photochromic concept with my optometrist.

 

Yep! I have very early signs of cataract development - apparently many years away from being able to justify lens replacement - I have explored this as an option, having received two ophthalmic surgeons advice on the matter.

 

Other than the RayBan suggestion (which I will look into) there was not much advise regarding frames - my selection will ultimately be on function with form being a small factor.

 

 

[IBob]

Skippydiesel I have a pair of...um....almost 50year old RayBans. But my low hours pilot status...together with the fact that even a blind man in a snowstorm wouldn't mistake me for Tom Cruise........renders me entirely unworthy of donning them......(

 

 

[IBob]

[skippydiesel]

Very Tom Cruise - I am green with envy. Who cares what /whom you look like, its how you feel, that counts.