Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adjust?

[dianne]

I should say I did pay for glasses two years ago but I could easily go without them....so I did.

This last year my eyesight has gotten significantly worse so now I must wear the glasses. They are progressive lenses with a section for distance, computer, and reading...so, I guess, tri-focals? As you age it seems most people lose the ability to focus close up...so reading glasses are needed. I can see up close just fine, it's distance I have a problem with. Dtr said that's probably why I didn't wear the last glasses because on a daily basis of working, using the computer and reading, I simply did not need them because they were basically for distance. So, if someone down the hall at work waved to me I couldn't tell you who it was....and never really knew if they were waving to me, actually, so I assume everyone thinks I'm super nice because I'm waving at everyone!

The distance part of the new glasses works great, and the computer section is working pretty good...but that reading section, not so much. Seems blurry and I'm bobbing my head around trying to find the right section to look through and it never seems just right. I want to read without them but I was told to give it a week and not cheat. I'm going to try my best. How long did it take you to adjust?

 

[Autumnovember]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

It took me about a week to adjust so hang in there

 

[Yimmers]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

To tell you the truth, it's easier to read without my contacts in. I'm mildly/moderatedly near sighted, but I have problems seeing things up close with my contacts in. So, when DH puts his face close to mine, I have to pull my head back b/c he's kinda blurry and it strains my eyes. Poor guy must think he's got bad breath or something, lol.

 

[ksinger]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

I never did. I found progressive lenses to be massively annoying, and to be a driving hazard for ME at least, because to read signs on the side of the road, I could not cut my eyes over, but had to swivel my head instead. I have a bad neck and whipping it around all the time is bad. So I went back to lined bifocals, and have a separate pair of glasses just for computer screen distance. It is SO much better. Of course you do have to swap glasses more, but I'm finished trying to get one pair to do all things. As you've discovered, you have a field of vision about thiiiiiis big (tiny slice) and you're always hunting, or at least I was. Annoying in the exteme.

Oh, and that bad neck? The first thing the back specialist asked me, was whether I wore my bifocals at the computer. When I told her I had a special pair for that, she was like, "Good. It's bad for you to be tilting your head up and down all day."

You may get used to them, I know many who have, but don't feel bad if you can't. Some people just like purpose-built glasses. I know I sure do.

This article was in the WSJ just about a week ago. It talks to this subject.

Becoming a Squinter Nation

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704868604575433361436276340.html?KEYWORDS=eyesight

 

[Fly Girl]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

Give it a few days, and go back if it isn't right. I am near-sighted like you, and have been wearing progressives for years. I still prefer to take my glasses off for reading.

I have also gotten glasses just for computer work. I found the middle distance section of the progressives is only in focus in the center of the lens, and not off to the sides. So, I was constantly adjusting the focus using my neck muscles (you have to move your whole head when reading across the screen, and not just your eyeballs), and this would result in headaches. You don't notice the tiny micro adjustments you are making all day, but you sure do notice the results. Computer glasses are made so the area in focus is larger from side to side, and not up and down like your progressives. Progressives will quickly go out of focus if you try to look to the side without turning your head. Gotta point your nose towards what you are looking at.

I did have problems with my last pair of progressives where I would look at a clock face from across the room and the 12 and 6 would be in focus, but the 3 and 9 were not. That was a little too narrow of the focal range, and the vision store had to switch me to another brand of lens (a more expensive one, but fortunately, we have vision insurance).

I was not the easiest customer, but they finally did get it right. I really appreciated that.

Good luck. It does take longer than a couple of days, but go back in a week or so if you aren't happy with them.

 

[zoebartlett]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

I've been wearing glasses since third grade. I still wear them now (can't wear contacts), and it usually takes a few days or up to a week to get used to a new prescription. I usually get a headache while my eyes are adjusting, but once that happens, it's amazing how much clearer (more clear?) everything is. I think you'll be fine, just gve it time.

 

[AprilBaby]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

I agree, give it a week. I have bifocals now for 5 years, but I always feel better taking my glasses off to read as I really don't need them for reading.

 

[Gailey]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

Had mine since January of this year. Still hate them, but it has gotten easier. Still can't wear them in a supermarket (the aisles on either side of me are a blur and it makes me nauseous). Walking downstairs in them is a hazard and I have to take them off to vaccum/mop floors.

It's a permanent struggle to get my head/eyes in the right place.

Ideally, I would like to have a pair for reading and computer (laptop literally on my lap).

Sux big time getting old. It will be wrinkles next and then you will really hear me complain.

Good luck.

 

[Haven]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

I don't have progressive lenses, but each eye of mine has a very different prescription (-4.75 in the left, -0.75 in the right) and it takes me a couple weeks to get used to new glasses. I do much better with my contacts in, and after wearing glasses for years I still don't feel comfortable driving while wearing glasses, and I have a hard time functioning with them outside at nighttime.

I wear contacts to work or whenever we go out socially, and I take my contacts out and wear my glasses once I'm home for good each day. I love the feeling the moment I pull those suckers out of my eyes, I just wish I could get away with wearing my glasses more often.

So, I guess I'm trying to say that glasses aren't for everyone, so don't feel bad if you don't fully adjust to them.

 

[gemgirl]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

I've got a combination of a few problems mentioned. I got my first pair of reading glasses about two years ago. They were never right (for me) for reading, but they've made perfect computer glasses. I also got new distance glasses two years ago and the left lens was never the correct prescription. These prescriptions were given to me by my medical eye doctor who uses all of the newest technology/machinery to measure my actual eyeball for a prescription as opposed to me reading a chart on the wall. Personally I believe the new technology sucks and is inaccurate. I'm going back to my Optometrist for an eye exam and a new prescription because he always gets it right. (Changing the axis just a few degrees makes all the difference between comfort and bleary eyed) I'm going to keep my so called readers for the computer because they're perfect for that use, and I'm going to take the giant leap into invisaline bifocals for everyday wear, because changing glasses when I'm out of the house is annoying to me. I have too many eye glass cases in my handbag if you add in the prescription sunglasses. I've asked both of my eye doctors, their nurses and countless numbers of bifocal and trifocal wearers and everyone says the same thing- to give it a month to get used to.

dianne, if you're not comfortable with your glasses within two to four weeks? Go back and have your prescription tweeked, and you may have to trade your trifocals for bifocals (bigger slices of prescription).

 

[soocool]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

I have worn progressives for over 5 years and to be able to read with them you have to be over the newspaper, book, or whatever and instead of tilting your head down, tilt your eyes down. It gets some getting used to, but I will usually just take them off. I can read without them. My DH wears contacts and uses reading glasses with them when needed.

 

[dianne]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

Thanks for all the responses. I am doing my best but it is day three and I do believe I am officially hating these glasses. It's just so annoying trying to find "the spot" for correct vision for every single thing I look at....and only what is directly in front of you. And I think the frame part that goes over the ear isn't long enough. It curves way before it gets to my ear...isn't that curve there to go OVER your ear? Sheesh! One of the plastic nose pieces on the frames barely moves and the other one is so loose I feel it will just fall right out. I'm going back Monday to see if something can be done.

 

[ksinger]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

Thanks for all the responses. I am doing my best but it is day three and I do believe I am officially hating these glasses. It's just so annoying trying to find "the spot" for correct vision for every single thing I look at....and only what is directly in front of you. And I think the frame part that goes over the ear isn't long enough. It curves way before it gets to my ear...isn't that curve there to go OVER your ear? Sheesh! One of the plastic nose pieces on the frames barely moves and the other one is so loose I feel it will just fall right out. I'm going back Monday to see if something can be done.

LOL! Not funny I know, but that could have been me talking. I was like, "GAAAAAHHH!!! Get these d**** things OFF ME!!"

I'm like the other who think that bifocals might be better. And I don't recall if you said you'd tried lined bifocals, but don't dismiss them as hopelessly passe. I replaced the progressives with the lined, and have had much much better luck, with no swiveling head and no disorientation.

Good luck! Getting the right glasses can be a real challenge!

 

[soocool]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

Dianne, just a thought. Take them back and make sure your prescription/measurements are correct. The first time I got mine something was off and I couldn't figure out what is was. They checked and yes, the glasses were incorrect. They replaced the lenses and everything was fine then. They had me read and look at a chart in the store before I left to make sure I had no problems.

Just curious, you didn't get these at Lens Crafters or Pearle Vision did you? They should have checked that everything was ok with the glasses before you left the store, temple piece, et al.

 

[elrohwen]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

If you feel that you can read and see the computer just fine, do you really need trifocals? Why don't you just get regular glasses and take them off to see up close (or leave them on if you can)?

Also, I've had glasses since I was in 2nd grade but I've never worn them. Like you, I was able to see up close, and just dealt with not being able to see distances. Lately I've been wearing contacts and I love it. I always hated glasses, but I find that I wear my contacts far more often because I can put them in and forget them. They're far less annoying for me and cause less headaches than my glasses.

 

[yssie]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

I should say I did pay for glasses two years ago but I could easily go without them....so I did.

This last year my eyesight has gotten significantly worse so now I must wear the glasses. They are progressive lenses with a section for distance, computer, and reading...so, I guess, tri-focals? As you age it seems most people lose the ability to focus close up...so reading glasses are needed. I can see up close just fine, it's distance I have a problem with. Dtr said that's probably why I didn't wear the last glasses because on a daily basis of working, using the computer and reading, I simply did not need them because they were basically for distance. So, if someone down the hall at work waved to me I couldn't tell you who it was....and never really knew if they were waving to me, actually, so I assume everyone thinks I'm super nice because I'm waving at everyone!

The distance part of the new glasses works great, and the computer section is working pretty good...but that reading section, not so much. Seems blurry and I'm bobbing my head around trying to find the right section to look through and it never seems just right. I want to read without them but I was told to give it a week and not cheat. I'm going to try my best. How long did it take you to adjust?

It took me about a month to get used to my distance-glasses (I still usually go without though, only use them for driving). I got terrible headaches trying to wear them around all the time, so I'd take them off and set back my adjustment another few days... Hang in there!

 

[dianne]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

soocool: I got them from my optometrist. I am going tomorrow to have everything checked out. I am not adjusting at all and I have to think something is just not right about these glasses.

Elrohwen: I agree that I'm not sure I needed trifocals. I read just fine without them so to now be limited to this teeny little window of vision when I don't need it is ridiculous.

 

[Fly Girl]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

Another thing to check for is the brand of lens they are using. Last time I got glasses the width that was in focus was ridiculously narrow. I remember looking at a point of light in the distance at night, and it blurred if I moved my head just a tiny bit to the right or left. They switched me to a different brand of lens and life improved immensely.

 

[Arkteia]

Re: Sooooo...I just got glasses today...how long until I adj

My commentary could be of use mostly to people who, like myself, have age-related far-sightedness.
It hit me hard - I used to have perfect vision. Now I need bifocals, strong ones for reading and basically normal for distance.
My first pair was stylish, expensive and very uncomfortable. Worse, my eyes had different vision (I never knew it) and it felt horribly after the correction (actually, the brain usually corrects the difference unless it is too large). I lost this pair, and the next one, too.

Reading glasses at Costco, cost $ 18.00 plus tax for three pair. I leave them in different places. They do not get lost and I am not searching for them all the time.

I think this could also work for near-sighted people who do not have strong astigmatism (different vision along different planes; an optometrist would tell you if you have it). If your astigmatism is mild you can buy different strenghts and place a pair at the computer, a pair besides your bed for reading, and carry a pair in your pocket to put on if you need it. My son who is myopic wears progressive lenses and they are OK for him but my husband can not adjust.