Eye Glasses

[TheFishman1]

Can any body recommend a eye place,that has good frames I think bifocal Glasses,the lenses I like get darker in the sun and eye examination? I sometimes post in Bold and it seems to get onthedarkside upset with me true be know just need new glasses

[mania]

Vision Center, 18/2 Rajwithi Road, Muang Chiang Mai, tel 053 418336, 214916.

Very happy with glasses I purchased here last month.

Excellent eye exam included in price.

[expatmakmak]

+1

Chiang Mai + glasses = Vision Center. Bloody simple mak mak!

[Dante99]

Not sure about the Vision Center, he may not like to sell bifocals as he has expressed that opinion in the past.

[FolkGuitar]

CTRL + Q to Enable/Disable GoPhoto.it

A lot of lens makers are stopping production of gray photochromic glass/plastic for the older style bifocals. I've run into this problem my last two times at bat, most recently last month. I can still get photochromics that will switch from clear to brown, but no longer clear to dark gray. The only option I had for gray photochomics was if I use the new Transistion lenses; the lenses that don''t have a bifocal line on them, but rather, make a smooth transition from distance to reading. I can't wear these as the peripheral view is extremely out of focus for BOTH distance and reading for me! Even turning my head while wearing them makes me dizzy! I've tried twice now, and struck out both times. They work fine just so long as I keep my head still and my eyes pointed straight ahead, but this doesn't work very well when driving, especially a motorcycle.

The shops the I've tried use Nikon, Seico, Zeiss, and Hoya lenses. None seem to be making 'old style' bifocal glass or plastic in clear-to-gray any longer. I'd love to hear about a shop that can still make the old style bifocals in clear-to-gray.

[CMNightRider]

I purchased bifocals from Tokyo Optical with a transitional lens (changes to dark in the sunlight) and they went bad on me in about 16 months. The transitional film started to bubble up. I took them back to Tokyo Optical, and they removed the transitional film for me and returned the glasses with no cost. I think they might have a little difficulty with the transitional lens technology in Thailand. Maybe you will have better luck than I did.

[TheFishman1]

CTRL + Q to Enable/Disable GoPhoto.it

A lot of lens makers are stopping production of gray photochromic glass/plastic for the older style bifocals. I've run into this problem my last two times at bat, most recently last month. I can still get photochromics that will switch from clear to brown, but no longer clear to dark gray. The only option I had for gray photochomics was if I use the new Transistion lenses; the lenses that don''t have a bifocal line on them, but rather, make a smooth transition from distance to reading. I can't wear these as the peripheral view is extremely out of focus for BOTH distance and reading for me! Even turning my head while wearing them makes me dizzy! I've tried twice now, and struck out both times. They work fine just so long as I keep my head still and my eyes pointed straight ahead, but this doesn't work very well when driving, especially a motorcycle.

The shops the I've tried use Nikon, Seico, Zeiss, and Hoya lenses. None seem to be making 'old style' bifocal glass or plastic in clear-to-gray any longer. I'd love to hear about a shop that can still make the old style bifocals in clear-to-gray.

Yes I made a mistake Transistion lenes is what I have now ,just need a new pair and eye exam Thank you

[FolkGuitar]

I purchased bifocals from Tokyo Optical with a transitional lens (changes to dark in the sunlight) and they went bad on me in about 16 months. The transitional film started to bubble up. I took them back to Tokyo Optical, and they removed the transitional film for me and returned the glasses with no cost. I think they might have a little difficulty with the transitional lens technology in Thailand. Maybe you will have better luck than I did.

On two visits back to the States I bought photochromic bifocals at "LensCrafters." BOTH of them began to bubble after about a year or two. I just bought new glasses last month in Japan, and the optometrist told me the reason for the bubbling of my old glasses was from excessive heat. He asked me if I washed them in hot water or wore them in excessively hot locations such as a laundry worker might encounter. When I told him I used them mostly in Thailand, he suggested that this 'might' be the problem. He also said that going from extremely hot environments into rather cold air/con rooms 'might' account for differential expansion rates between the lens and the film which might exacerbate the problem.

He also suggested that when cleaning the lenses that I use only cool lens solution and nothing else. I'll be curious to see how long this new pair work.

[NancyL]

The knowledgeable gentleman at Vision Center suggested I NOT wear bifocals for walking and I would assume he'd make the same recommendation for something like motorcycle riding or driving. Since I got a pair of "walking glasses" from him, I've stopped tripping on little steps and holes in the sidewalk -- things I simply couldn't see with the bifocals. The walking glasses are also great for watching movies in the cinema, where you want to lean back and relax a bit.

Of course, bifocals are still needed for doing things around the house or shopping.

[FolkGuitar]

The knowledgeable gentleman at Vision Center suggested I NOT wear bifocals for walking and I would assume he'd make the same recommendation for something like motorcycle riding or driving.

We need to be able to clearly see both the road far ahead (distance viewing) and the dash gauges (speedometer, tachometer, etc.,) when riding a motorcycle, so for me, bifocals are a must. (My hearing isn't good enough to estimate engine speed accurately by sound alone.) I have no difficulties walking around town with them. However, when I'm hiking on rugged terrain, over rocks, streams, etc., I prefer to only wear glasses designed for distance. It really does make a big difference for me in that case. Hopping from rock to rock when you can't see the rock does not rock! LOL!

[hellodolly]

The knowledgeable gentleman at Vision Center suggested I NOT wear bifocals for walking and I would assume he'd make the same recommendation for something like motorcycle riding or driving. Since I got a pair of "walking glasses" from him, I've stopped tripping on little steps and holes in the sidewalk -- things I simply couldn't see with the bifocals. The walking glasses are also great for watching movies in the cinema, where you want to lean back and relax a bit.

Of course, bifocals are still needed for doing things around the house or shopping.

My wife got here glasses there and he recommended a pair for walking and a pair for reading as they would be cheaper.

I m sure that science will come up with a pair that do both without any visible transition. Also probably adjust to the light about us. I am quite sure that if there is none out there yet there will be and the price will not be cheap. My eyes are not what they used to be but he tested them and said that a pair of glasses would not really improve them that much.

That was two visits I had where he stood to make more money but declined as in his opinion (and he is a professional) it would be a waste of money.

[FolkGuitar]

I m sure that science will come up with a pair that do both without any visible transition.

That exists already, but the actual 'usable' area of the lens is shaped like a Figure 8 with the top distance section much larger than the bottom reading portion. The rest of the glass is terribly distorted (at least for me it is.)

I tried to draw a picture of how the lens actually works. If you go to a eyeglass shop they will have better photos of it. The area where I have lightened is sharp and clear, the top being for distance viewing and gradually changing as you swing your eyeballs down for reading, There is no line of transition between distance and reading so in effect, you are getting even MORE than 'bi' focals. Between them would give you clarity at arm's length. But everything outside that lighter area is quite distorted and probably takes some getting used to. As I said, I tried to use these twice, but they just made me dizzy!

[FolkGuitar]

I just found a better one on-line, but boy is it ever optomitrimetrical 'optimistic!' I never came close to getting the sizes of the viewing areas they are showing here! And where it says 'slight blur,' it was enough to make me nauseous! They call these new lenses 'Progressive,' and I know several people who swear by them. They just don't work for me!

[haybilly]

Another vote for the folk at Vision Center--I get my daughter's specs there and they are very professional.

[Rob8891]

I've been using photochromic varifocals for quite a few years now, and sympathise with folk who experience nausea. Each pair I have had took a few days to get used to, but in the long run, it has been worth it.

I'm due a new pair in the next few months, and am trying to decide whether to do this before I finally leave the UK, or to wait until I get back to CM...... can anyone give me an idea of what sort of price you've paid for photochromic varifocals in CM? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks, guys.

[Genericnic]

Note that this is not a complaint about Vision Center.

I had heard good things about Vision Center and wanted to give them a try. I have traditional bi-focals. When I went in, he put them on his machine to check the prescription. He gave them back to me and told me that he couldn't do new ones for me because the prescription was too strong. (my contacts are -10.5 left eye and -9.5 right eye - I assume my glasses are at least the same) Because of the high prescription, I need high index glass for the lenses. He suggested Top Chaeron but I haven't fad a chance to follow up yet. So, if you have a very strong prescription he may not be able to help you out but I would start there just in case.

David

[Sparkles]

I just found a better one on-line, but boy is it ever optomitrimetrical 'optimistic!' I never came close to getting the sizes of the viewing areas they are showing here! And where it says 'slight blur,' it was enough to make me nauseous! They call these new lenses 'Progressive,' and I know several people who swear by them. They just don't work for me!

I've had progressive lenses,changing prescription, for nearly 10 years.They do take time to get used to, you just have to be patient,For me it was about a month before I felt comfortable. A warning on lenses passed onto me recently by an expert.He told me the life span, even if you take care of them,is about 2-3 years they do deteriorate.Planned obsolescence in his opinion.I wouldnt be at all surprised if he was correct

[FolkGuitar]

I use my motorcycle every day. I wouldn't dare try to ride around the block wearing the Progressive lenses! I'd either miss something from the side or get so nauseous that I'd fill my helmet! I really do wish that I could use them. I like the idea behind them, but that side area of 'no focus' is just too large for me to deal with. I did notice during this past exam last month that the very newest lenses did have a smaller 'out of focus' patch, and the more expensive lenses ($1,000 USD per pair) were better in this regard than the less expensive ones ($400 per pair) but even the best ones still had too much 'out of focus' area for me to feel safe driving with. The more expensive lenses were made with a much thinner material. I guess this accounts for the distortion.

[hellodolly]

Note that this is not a complaint about Vision Center.

I had heard good things about Vision Center and wanted to give them a try. I have traditional bi-focals. When I went in, he put them on his machine to check the prescription. He gave them back to me and told me that he couldn't do new ones for me because the prescription was too strong. (my contacts are -10.5 left eye and -9.5 right eye - I assume my glasses are at least the same) Because of the high prescription, I need high index glass for the lenses. He suggested Top Chaeron but I haven't fad a chance to follow up yet. So, if you have a very strong prescription he may not be able to help you out but I would start there just in case.

David

I would also take that as a complement and agree with it. Vision Center is indeed a honest straight forward place to go. As you say he had no problem telling you the truth and recommending a competitor. I highly recommend them to any one I know looking for glasses.

[TheFishman1]

O.K. Thanks Vision Center it is