> Do most places have opticians on the premises or only independents?.
> What kinds of questions should I be asking and how do I go about it. Since
> I intend to be loyal to the place that gets it right for me I don't want to
> antagasie someone by making the feel like they are being grilled.

> I have
> no problem paying someone for their experience, but the more I pay, the
> less leeway I have to pay for multiple attempts at solving the problem. I
> also want someone that can look out the same window that I do. By that I
> mean that I care not one hoot about what the latest fashion is. Once I find
> clothes, shoes, glasses or a car seat that works for me I'm more than happy
> to stay with it for 40 years.

> I like as large a lense as I can get because the world looking through
> the lenses is much smaller looking through the lenses than around the lens.
> This means that as things move in and out of the area covered by the lenses
> they also move. While I know that larger lenses don't focus as well at
> their edges as near the center and are much heavier I'm willing the accept
> those limitations to move the sense of objects moving far into my
> periferial vision where it doesn't bother me. I just thought about it, I
> also have a fairly large head (size 8 or better hat size) which I'll bet
> play a factor here. Thanks for the notion of a strip bridge. As far as nose
> pads are concerned I can comfortly rest the full weight of my head on the
> bridge of my nose, but I hardly like to touch the sides lower down.

> Thanks for your reply, yes it does help. I've intermixed some questions and
> replies to your comments in. After some thinking this weekend I've decided
> to go with 2 separate glasses one for distance and one reading and see if I
> can get use to switching. I don't think it will be inconvenient as I don't
> think I do much where I'm continuously going back and for and if I don't
> have my reading glasses with me I can't just take glasses off to read a
> menu.

> Since it appears that I should of run before I had money in this deal I
> have a couple of more questions. I have enough money in these glasses to
> be
> uncomfortable if I have to eat the expense, but not a disaster. If I can't
> get some of my moneyback do I chalk it up to one of those lessons in life
> and start a search for the right person now that I'm better informed(this
> is what I'm leaning toward), or do you think I can salvage something from
> them still. By the way here we are talking Americas Best here.
> The other question I have is what should I expect to pay for a pair of
> lined bifocals or two pair of glasses, one for distance and one for
> reading. I don't want to become a sucker where I like like I can be
> charged
> anything they can think of to get a good pair of glasses, but on the
> otherhand I don't want to have unrealisticly low expectations as the cost
> of a good pair og glasses. I don't have to have the very best, but I want
> very good unless there is a huge step between very best and very good.
> Function is of overriding importance, cost is important but not at a sever
> cut in function and while I want them to look alright I don't care at all
> what other people are doing. If it is a 10, 20 or 50 year old style that
> works for me I don't care.
> By the way I'd like to thank everyone that has replied. You've been most
> helpful. I've known about usenet for along time, but never thought about
> it
> as far as vision was concerned. -Doug

> Doug wrote:
> > As far as nose
> > pads are concerned I can comfortly rest the full weight of my head on the
> > bridge of my nose, but I hardly like to touch the sides lower down.
> Just a guess: really small nasal passages like me? The pads push them
> closed and I can't breathe at all through my nose.

> I too hate to see the environment moving in and out of different optical
> areas -- it's miserably confusing, especially while driving and most
> especially while trying to back up.

> Robert wrote:
> > > In my shop, it's
> > > probably a higher percentage, and that's after I tell my clients that they
> > > will see better with segmented, at significantly lower cost.
> So I'm not only cheap, I'm smart!

> "Doug" <almostnormal89[at]yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:JPudnUnYcPJoVXTanZ2dnUVZ_rOqnZ2d[at]giganews.com...
> > Do most places have opticians on the premises or only independents?.
> > What kinds of questions should I be asking and how do I go about it.
> > Since I intend to be loyal to the place that gets it right for me I don't
> > want to
> > antagasie someone by making the feel like they are being grilled. I have
> > no problem paying someone for their experience, but the more I pay, the
> > less leeway I have to pay for multiple attempts at solving the problem. I
> > also want someone that can look out the same window that I do. By that I
> > mean that I care not one hoot about what the latest fashion is. Once I
> > find
> > clothes, shoes, glasses or a car seat that works for me I'm more than
> > happy
> > to stay with it for 40 years.
> An optician is anyone that dispenses glasses, although in some states they
> must be licensed and have some minimal standards.

> The best question to test an optician (IMO) is to ask them which lens
> materials have the best abbe value (measure of chromatic aberration-- the
> higher the abbe value, the lower the chromatic aberration). Then ask them
> whether they recommend polycarb for the best possible optical quality
> lenses on a Rx with relatively high power (and tell them you don't care
> about safety lenses). If they don't understand abbe value, or
> unconditionally recommend polycarb, even when you have a high power lens
> (and you tell them you are susceptible to chromatic aberration), then run
> out the store and never go back.

> In some of chains (especially Lens Crafters) the sales people are told to
> push polycarb regardless of the situation because that is their corporate
> policy. I would avoid LC and not even bother with them. That's what I
think I ran into.

> Doug wrote:
> > As far as nose
> > pads are concerned I can comfortly rest the full weight of my head on the
> > bridge of my nose, but I hardly like to touch the sides lower down.
> Just a guess: really small nasal passages like me? The pads push them
> closed and I can't breathe at all through my nose.
I think you may have it. you've discribed it fairly close
> I too hate to see the environment moving in and out of different optical
> areas -- it's miserably confusing, especially while driving and most
> especially while trying to back up.

> Robert wrote:
> > > In my shop, it's
> > > probably a higher percentage, and that's after I tell my clients that
> > > they will see better with segmented, at significantly lower cost.
> So I'm not only cheap, I'm smart!

> Do most places have opticians on the premises or only independents?.
> What kinds of questions should I be asking and how do I go about it. Since
> I intend to be loyal to the place that gets it right for me I don't want
> to
> antagasie someone by making the feel like they are being grilled. I have
> no problem paying someone for their experience, but the more I pay, the
> less leeway I have to pay for multiple attempts at solving the problem. I
> also want someone that can look out the same window that I do. By that I
> mean that I care not one hoot about what the latest fashion is. Once I
> find
> clothes, shoes, glasses or a car seat that works for me I'm more than
> happy
> to stay with it for 40 years.

> As far as nose
> pads are concerned I can comfortly rest the full weight of my head on the
> bridge of my nose, but I hardly like to touch the sides lower down.

> > In my shop, it's
> > probably a higher percentage, and that's after I tell my clients that they
> > will see better with segmented, at significantly lower cost.

> On Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:10:46 -0400, Doug <almostnormal89[at]yahoo.com> wrote:
> > I have a pair of glasses from '96 that I need to know what they are
> > made out of. The problem is that the store closed several years ago, which
> > and I can't return there to ask. After going though a couple of pairs of
> > glasses in '96 that were made out of polycarbonate that where just plain
> > awful, I returned to Cohen's Fashion Optical in Syracuse, NY where they
> > explained the problems with polycarbonate. They made a pair of glasses out
> > of what they referred to as high - R plastic that are great except that
> > they are now scratched all to hell and my arms are a little short.
> Hi-index of refraction material.
> > When I read without glasses I notice the astigmatism and it's hard to
> > fill in a crossword puzzle when your face is closer to the paper than the
> > length of a pencil. My current prescription is
> > sph cyl axis add
> > OD -4.75 -3.00 168 +2.00
> > OS -5.50 -2.50 175 +2.00
> > > This is close to my old prescription except no add.
> > > The place I went to this time said that my old glasses are
> > polycarbonate
> > so they made a pair of progressives from polycarbonate. They are horrible
> > beyond belief. As far as I can see they forgot to put the fish in the bowl
> > that they gave me as a pair of glasses. If I can determine what my old
> > glasses are made from I'm going to order a pair of distant glasses and a
> > pair of close glasses out of the same material and insist that they make
> > the back curves the same.
> It's like amateurs teaching amateurs how to be amateurs.
> The lab gets the proper base (front) curve for your Rx from the lens
> manufacturer. They've performed the ray-tracing and calculations to assure
> the proper relationship is maintained between the two surfaces. If you try
> to keep the ocular (back) curve from changing by using the wrong BC, the
> off-axis vision will take a hit, sometimes a big hit.
> > The first question I have is, since this is a discount place that I
> > believe will make the switch for free but that I can't get my money back,
> > how insistant do I have to be about the material and back curves. The back
> > curves are important because I've always had enough problems switching
> > between even identical glasses
> They weren't identical.
> > that I don't have a pair of sunglasses and a
> > pair of regular glasses that I switch back and forth between. I expect to
> > be stonewalled on this with a "we can't do that" or "no that isn't
> > important" to the implied "your nuts". I'd rather go in with would you
> > please do it this way because experience has shown me that this is what
> > works for me. To get it done right I can keep escalating my insistence
> > until they basically ask me to leave, but I'd much rather be nice than
> > demanding, but I will have a working solution. Much of this I've learned
> > from experience. I gave them a chance to do it their way, now they need to
> > do it my way. I don't trust them to either to be able to figure out what
> > my current glasses are made of or to tell the truth unless it benefits
> > them.
> If you want it done right the first time, then see an experienced
> optician.
> > I went with them because I know 2 people that have had success with
> > them , but their prescriptions are relatively simple. The next question
> > how do you find an optical place that works without spending huge amounts
> > of money and time to try each one .
> Interview the optician. Ask tough questions.

> > I've tried chains, discount places and an
> > independent, with no more or less success at one or the other. I've had
> > two pair of glasses in my adult life that I've really liked. The last one
> > is 12 years old and desperately in need of replacement. It seems that I
> > can't find large aviator style frames
> Right. No one is buying them. It's also the least desirable shape for your
> Rx.
> > with a saddle bridge and not nose pads. I
> > hate nose pads.
> That's because your Rx is extremely heavy in a large aviator shape. Try a
> titanium frame that measures about 53x35, +/- 2mm. If the frame is
> adjusted properly, and the lenses are lightweight, the pads will be
> comfortable. Moreover, if there should still be an issue with pads, they
> can be replaced with a strap bridge, which gives additional support and
> surface area similar to a saddle bridge.

> > It also seems that someone is making a hell of a lot of
> > money on polycarbonate and progressive lenses to be pushing them with the
> > religious fervor that they are.
> Poly is thinner, lighter, and safer than traditional materials, at a lower
> price than other mid to hi-index materials. However, it's sensitive to
> chemicals (cracks) and is optically inferior at higher powers.
> I would estimate that age forty-something consumers choose progressive
> over segmented (lined) multifocals nine out of ten times. In my shop, it's
> probably a higher percentage, and that's after I tell my clients that they
> will see better with segmented, at significantly lower cost.
> > I'm open to ideas.
> Progressives require a significant amount of skill (and a real good lab)
> to fit accurately. That's reason enough to seek out a high skill and
> experience optician. However, your Rx has always been a challenging one to
> get right- to perform comfortably in front of your eyes, and when combined
> with the complex optics of progressive lenses, one must be careful that
> the doctor, optician, and fabricating lab are among the best in their
> field.
> Hope this helps,

> Robert Martellaro
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Optician/Owner
> Roberts Optical
> Wauwatosa Wi.
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> "Science is a way of trying not to fool yourself."
> - Richard Feynman

> I have a pair of glasses from '96 that I need to know what they are
> made out of. The problem is that the store closed several years ago, which
> and I can't return there to ask. After going though a couple of pairs of
> glasses in '96 that were made out of polycarbonate that where just plain
> awful, I returned to Cohen's Fashion Optical in Syracuse, NY where they
> explained the problems with polycarbonate. They made a pair of glasses out
> of what they referred to as high - R plastic that are great except that
> they are now scratched all to hell and my arms are a little short.

> When I read without glasses I notice the astigmatism and it's hard to
> fill in a crossword puzzle when your face is closer to the paper than the
> length of a pencil. My current prescription is
> sph cyl axis add
> OD -4.75 -3.00 168 +2.00
> OS -5.50 -2.50 175 +2.00
> This is close to my old prescription except no add.
> The place I went to this time said that my old glasses are polycarbonate
> so they made a pair of progressives from polycarbonate. They are horrible
> beyond belief. As far as I can see they forgot to put the fish in the bowl
> that they gave me as a pair of glasses. If I can determine what my old
> glasses are made from I'm going to order a pair of distant glasses and a
> pair of close glasses out of the same material and insist that they make
> the back curves the same.

> The first question I have is, since this is a discount place that I
> believe will make the switch for free but that I can't get my money back,
> how insistant do I have to be about the material and back curves. The back
> curves are important because I've always had enough problems switching
> between even identical glasses

> that I don't have a pair of sunglasses and a
> pair of regular glasses that I switch back and forth between. I expect to
> be stonewalled on this with a "we can't do that" or "no that isn't
> important" to the implied "your nuts". I'd rather go in with would you
> please do it this way because experience has shown me that this is what
> works for me. To get it done right I can keep escalating my insistence
> until they basically ask me to leave, but I'd much rather be nice than
> demanding, but I will have a working solution. Much of this I've learned
> from experience. I gave them a chance to do it their way, now they need to
> do it my way. I don't trust them to either to be able to figure out what my
> current glasses are made of or to tell the truth unless it benefits them.

> I went with them because I know 2 people that have had success with
> them , but their prescriptions are relatively simple. The next question how
> do you find an optical place that works without spending huge amounts of
> money and time to try each one .

> I've tried chains, discount places and an
> independent, with no more or less success at one or the other. I've had two
> pair of glasses in my adult life that I've really liked. The last one is 12
> years old and desperately in need of replacement. It seems that I can't
> find large aviator style frames

> with a saddle bridge and not nose pads. I
> hate nose pads.

> It also seems that someone is making a hell of a lot of
> money on polycarbonate and progressive lenses to be pushing them with the
> religious fervor that they are.

> I'm open to ideas.

> "Doug" <almostnormal89[at]yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:HtOdnajpNYNy4XXanZ2dnUVZ_rCtnZ2d[at]giganews.com...
> > Thanks for your reply. Sorry about the confusion but I'm trying to
> > identify
> > the material in my single vision glasses from 1996.
> That will be a bit more difficult. But take it around to some experienced
> opticians and ask for their opinion.