Glasses..

[hennessybass]

My vision is starting to go...
I started wearing readers for working on the computer (and reading), but when I look up from my work - fishbowl time!

Went to the eye doctor, and she gave me some glasses that help with the computer and reading and eye fatigue, and don't cause the fishbowl thing.
I'd wear em at a gig if I needed em to see - but I'm not quite there yet.

The answer is go to the eye doctor, get a proper prescription, and wear them.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

My solution was to wear bifocals.

one thing I found about bifocals reading music, when lenses became much smaller, so did the focal point. While reading a newspaper or a book this is not a big problem. But when your need for stronger magnification coupled with the smaller focal point and reading multiple pages of sheet music with repeats transcending 3-4 pages, it’s a struggle to get them lined up. By the time you do get them in line focused, the band maybe 3-4 measures down the pike.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I’ll be 70 in a few months. I wear contact lenses, mono vision. My left is for reading, my right, for distance. I have been using this option for at least a decade and I never have a problem seeing the set list onstage in dim light, although the font size is usually 20-22 so it can sit on the floor near the high hat stand so I can see it. Regarding mono vision, the eyes/brain, adjusts to this pretty quickly.

Same here. Been wearing them since 2006 best thing since sliced bread. Mine are multi focal. It’s much better than mono focal s you get a better 3D experience. Next time in to the doc, ask him about Cooper Muti-Focal lenses.

 

[fdeck]

Seems like there should be professionals who solve people's vision problems so they don't have to ask random people on the internet. Oh yeah, there are.

And access to those professionals should be free, there should be an appointment available somewhere on the same planet within the next year, and a way to purchase the subsequent eyeglasses without getting gouged.

Okay, I'm being extreme here, but I do think the compromise is to realize that there is both: a) A good reason to require health care to be delivered by professionals; and b) a good reason for regular people to share advice about how to navigate the medical system, which is anything but free or open.

So without giving medical advice, I'll relate my experience. I got a prescription for bifocals because I asked specifically for that. They're useful for daily wearing, to check my cell phone or read something quickly. Not so great for long term short-distance wearing, such as at a computer or reading music, because I have to tilt my head up. I had heard about music reading glasses, and got a prescription for those -- basically a +1 change to my regular distance prescription. They work great.

I got my glasses at Zenni. No high pressure sales or unnecessary add-ons, and no need for an additional visit to the clinic, to pick them up.

 

[gln1955]

And access to those professionals should be free, there should be an appointment available somewhere on the same planet within the next year, and a way to purchase the subsequent eyeglasses without getting gouged.

Okay, I'm being extreme here, but I do think the compromise is to realize that there is both: a) A good reason to require health care to be delivered by professionals; and b) a good reason for regular people to share advice about how to navigate the medical system, which is anything but free or open.

So without giving medical advice, I'll relate my experience. I got a prescription for bifocals because I asked specifically for that. They're useful for daily wearing, to check my cell phone or read something quickly. Not so great for long term short-distance wearing, such as at a computer or reading music, because I have to tilt my head up. I had heard about music reading glasses, and got a prescription for those -- basically a +1 change to my regular distance prescription. They work great.

I got my glasses at Zenni. No high pressure sales or unnecessary add-ons, and no need for an additional visit to the clinic, to pick them up.

Taking care of your eyes is a pretty high priority. A basic eye exam will not only determine your prescription, but will check for glaucoma, cataracts and retinal disease. Those are all pretty common and silently steal your vision. If you have to spend some on health care, an eye exam is a pretty good place to do it. As far as access, you can get an eye exam at places like Walmart, but around here getting an eye appointment is no big deal.

Zenni is a good deal. My work provides really good vision insurance, so I get my main pair of glasses from my ophthalmologist for a minimal charge unless I go all out designer frames, which I don't. For my backup glasses or sunglasses, which I have to pay full ticket, I've been very happy with what I get from Zenni.

 

[fdeck]

Taking care of your eyes is a pretty high priority. A basic eye exam will not only determine your prescription, but will check for glaucoma, cataracts and retinal disease. Those are all pretty common and silently steal your vision. If you have to spend some on health care, an eye exam is a pretty good place to do it. As far as access, you can get an eye exam at places like Walmart, but around here getting an eye appointment is no big deal.

Zenni is a good deal. My work provides really good vision insurance, so I get my main pair of glasses from my ophthalmologist for a minimal charge unless I go all out designer frames, which I don't. For my backup glasses or sunglasses, which I have to pay full ticket, I've been very happy with what I get from Zenni.

Indeed, and I wouldn't try to self-prescribe glasses if I could afford an eye exam, which fortunately I can.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Not entirely music direct, but both closeup and distance has deteriorated over the past year to the point where I absolutely need glasses at night to drive, and for close up work, reading, etc. I need glasses.

Poses a problem in stage, as I often times rely on charts and cheat sheets on an iPad to get me through tunes that are sprung on me on short notice.

Im sure there are others in this situation. What did you do?

Was an easy choice for me. I got progressive lens glasses. Long or "normal" focal length is in the upper part of the glasses; computer distance is in the middle and reading glass magnification is at the bottom. No lines anywhere in them and I've never had glasses that weren't progressive, so they've always been fine for me. People who have never used them often take a bit to get used to them.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Hey...they worked out pretty well for Buddy Holley.
And John Lennon...
And Elvis Costello.

 

[Bajo Clarkko]

I’m 61 and I’ve worn Progressive Lenses (which are basically tri-focals) since I was in my mid forties. Some people don’t like them, but they’ve worked great for me.

How do they look? Well, I bear a striking resemblance to Billy Zoom (from the Band, “X”)
both with, and without glasses. So, ok I guess.

There are few things in life more important than being able to see. It doesn’t need to be a big deal.

 

[L Anthony]

Was an easy choice for me. I got progressive lens glasses. Long or "normal" focal length is in the upper part of the glasses; computer distance is in the middle and reading glass magnification is at the bottom. No lines anywhere in them and I've never had glasses that weren't progressive, so they've always been fine for me.

Pretty close to the exact same for me, except for my progressives are long distance up top, "normal" focal range in the middle, and close reading distance at the bottom. Been wearing them comfortably for around twenty years now.

Definitely get exactly what you need to see properly in all situations. I made a mistake when I first needed to get glasses, as my vision was similar to the OPs at the time, except for my reading/close vision was fine. Well, I got a pair of glasses for long distance, without bifocals or progressives, thinking that I didn't need anything else. I was in law school at the time, and wound up in the back of an auditorium class where I needed my glasses to see the blackboard, but then had to take them off to write my notes. I could see the professor trying her best not to laugh as she saw me doing this.

 

[QweziRider]

What did you do?

Progressive lenses and a show-specific pair (i.e., ever so slightly tinted to look cool, but not full on sunglasses, and none of the extra features of my every-day lenses - no glare reduction, no need for transitions, etc) for me. It's worked out very well for me for years now.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Sounds like you need bifocals

how old are you? If in your 60’s could be developing cataracts

I find the same issue as the OP developing, but the opthamologist says eye health is otherwise fine. It's always worth getting it checked, though.

 

[mongo2]

one thing I found about bifocals reading music, when lenses became much smaller, so did the focal point. While reading a newspaper or a book this is not a big problem. But when your need for stronger magnification coupled with the smaller focal point and reading multiple pages of sheet music with repeats transcending 3-4 pages, it’s a struggle to get them lined up. By the time you do get them in line focused, the band maybe 3-4 measures down the pike.

I've never had any problems keeping up using bifocals. I specifically asked for the largest bifocal section possible with the lenses I have and for use a bit further out for computer screen reading distance rather than book reading distance for reading computer screens and large fanfold printouts as part of my engineering job so maybe that helped.

I tired progressives but they didn't work for me at all for either the engineering job or reading music.

 

[LBS-bass]

Was an easy choice for me. I got progressive lens glasses. Long or "normal" focal length is in the upper part of the glasses; computer distance is in the middle and reading glass magnification is at the bottom. No lines anywhere in them and I've never had glasses that weren't progressive, so they've always been fine for me. People who have never used them often take a bit to get used to them.

Progressive lenses for me too, have never had a problem. They do work better for reading if the lenses are larger, as that gives you more real estate for the reading section at the bottom which would normally be what's below the line with bifocals. I've heard some folks say they can't get used to them; I think they possibly were too impatient, as it does take a few days to fully adjust.

I am way overdue for an eye exam and I need new glasses badly since my main wearing pair are quite scratched up at this point.

 

[swink]

I hear Facebook is good for medical advice these days.

That speaks for itself, eyes are a part of the face

 

[ArtechnikA]

Get a *good* pit light and attach it to your music stand. That is what I do. My eyesight still sucks, but the light source helps quite a bit. By the way, never used those crappy folding stands.

I did this until I switched to a tablet, like the OP.
The tablet is its own backlit light source; that's not the issue here...
I haven't decided if I like 'paper-white' or Dark mode better, tho...

I'm a high myope with contacts for everyday normal vision.
And reading glasses for - well - reading.
So now I'm mostly back to (reading) glasses on stage - hasn't been any kind of issue, really, other than vanity...

 

[ga_edwards]

I used to take my glasses off years ago purely for vanity reasons. I don't care now. I wear glasses, it's not a big deal.

 

[rashrader]

As much as I love my fellow bassists, I don’t think I’d trust them with my eyes, or any other medical issue for that matter. Go to the Optometrist. It’s that easy.

 

[Ever Wire]

If you are polling talkbass for the answer to your glasses conundrum, the answer is: carrots.

 

[lark_z]

I use my computer glasses when I need to look at charts or read, which are single vision glasses set for one focal length. The optometrist sets the focal length after you tell him/her what you're trying to accomplish.

Bifocals do not work well, both neck strain and I don't stand THAT close to the material.

Personally, I go to the eye Dr, get the Rx I want, then order the glasses online. The last set of computer glasses were under $30. Would have been >$100 from the optometrist.