From WWW.GOOGLE.COM

Having been a pilot for over 20 years who wore glasses (Lasik ended the
need) and having worked for an eyeglass lens manufacturer in the past here's
what I have learned.

Progressive lenses are not for pilots. In fact there have been several
accidents where progressive lenses were cited as a contributing factor. The
reason is that progressive lenses are not uniform from side to side. The
progression begins wide at the top and narrows at the bottom. If I were to
draw a diagram for you of the progressive area it would look somewhat T
shaped. What this does to the pilots peripheral vision is to distort it
considerably. All the accidents where progressives were cited as a
contributing factor involved landings.

Pilots who purchased progressives from the company I used to work for would
often complain to the customer service dept. of the problems they had with
them, specifically the distortion. The company's response was generally to
just give them a full refund or credit towards bifocals to be put in their
frames.

The latest from the FAA is that they are considering a ban on the use of
progressive lenses in the cockpit. The two largest manufacturers of
progressive lenses, Essilor (AKA Varilux) and Sola, are not putting up a
fight on this because they want to avoid the publicity and because they know
there are problems.

So what about bifocals? If you can still pass your class 1 try just using a
pair of reading glasses. Keep them around your neck with strap so they are
always there when you need to read something close up. Otherwise, if your
vision requires you to wear glasses full time and presbyopia is a problem,
bifocals may be the solution.

In my case, at 46, and having had to wear glasses most of my life I had
Lasik Surgery done and no longer need glasses. I too suffer from presbyopia
but I had my right eye made a little more near sighted than the left. For
now this has eliminated the need for reading glasses, but someday I will
probably have to use them. Lasik is not without it's pitfalls (e.g. poor
night vision) so if you consider this option, make sure you find a good
surgeon who knows his stuff.

One final note, all pilots who wear glasses (even sun glasses) should have
them coated with an anti-reflective coating. The difference is substantial
and worth the price. Also, photosensitive lenses such as Transitions do not
work in the cockpit and they reduce the contrast against a blue sky. Better
to stick with a good pair of sunglasses that you have purchased from an
optometrist that has guaranteed there UV filtering ability and has had them
AR coated for you. Even good off the shelf lenses provide only UV
protection, none come with an AR coating.

Hope this information helps,
Logic Theorist


"Tim Hoel" <twh@pclink.com> wrote in message
news:3a05cd1a$0$62630$7ba1063b@news.pclink.com...
> Although I was able to barely pass my first class medical without glasses,
> it is getting harder for me to read maps.  (At 48, presbyopia is setting
> in.)  I am now wondering whether it would be better to get bifocals or
> progressive lens glasses for flying.  Is there any common wisdom on this
> subject, or for those who have gone before me, what is your opinion?
>
> Thanks,
> Tim Hoel
>
>
>

--
Roger Halstead (K8RI) www.RogerHalstead.com
N833R  World's Oldest Debonair? s# CD-2

"Logic Theorist" <logictheorist@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ZhlN5.419$YQ5.216711@paloalto-snr1.gtei.net...
> Having been a pilot for over 20 years who wore glasses (Lasik ended the
> need) and having worked for an eyeglass lens manufacturer in the past here's
> what I have learned.
>
> Progressive lenses are not for pilots. In fact there have been several
> accidents where progressive lenses were cited as a contributing factor.
<snip>

>
> One final note, all pilots who wear glasses (even sun glasses) should have
> them coated with an anti-reflective coating. The difference is substantial
> and worth the price. Also, photosensitive lenses such as Transitions do not
> work in the cockpit

Transitions don't, but photograys do.

>and they reduce the contrast against a blue sky. Better
> to stick with a good pair of sunglasses that you have purchased from an
> optometrist that has guaranteed there UV filtering ability and has had them
> AR coated for you. Even good off the shelf lenses provide only UV
> protection, none come with an AR coating.

All mine...Photogray, poloroid (which I prefer) and regular have the AR
coating.

Roger (K8RI)

>
> Hope this information helps,
> Logic Theorist
>
>
> "Tim Hoel" <twh@pclink.com> wrote in message
> news:3a05cd1a$0$62630$7ba1063b@news.pclink.com...
> > Although I was able to barely pass my first class medical without glasses,
> > it is getting harder for me to read maps.  (At 48, presbyopia is setting
> > in.)  I am now wondering whether it would be better to get bifocals or
> > progressive lens glasses for flying.  Is there any common wisdom on this
> > subject, or for those who have gone before me, what is your opinion?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Tim Hoel
> >
> >
> >
>
>

I wear Varilux progressives and have noted no problems VFR or in IMC.  I see
no difference in flying an airplane or driving a car in terms of peripheral
distortion or disorientation.

I have worn the progressives for about 10 years now, bifocals before that.
There are disadvantages to progressives, mainly for me that you have to turn
your head and point your nose at whatever you are looking at, whereas with
bifocals you can just use your peripheral vision or shift your eyes.  But I
have adapted and have no desire nor perceived need to change.

Stan


Tim Hoel <twh@pclink.com> wrote in message
news:3a05cd1a$0$62630$7ba1063b@news.pclink.com...
> Although I was able to barely pass my first class medical without glasses,
> it is getting harder for me to read maps.  (At 48, presbyopia is setting
> in.)  I am now wondering whether it would be better to get bifocals or
> progressive lens glasses for flying.  Is there any common wisdom on this
> subject, or for those who have gone before me, what is your opinion?
>
> Thanks,
> Tim Hoel
>
>
>

Roger Halstead (K8RI) www.RogerHalstead.com
N833R  World's Oldest Debonair? s# CD-2

"Stan Prevost" <sprevost2@nospam.home.com> wrote in message
news:7PlN5.83250$P4.24626937@news1.rdc1.tn.home.com...
> I wear Varilux progressives and have noted no problems VFR or in IMC.  I see
> no difference in flying an airplane or driving a car in terms of peripheral
> distortion or disorientation.
>
> I have worn the progressives for about 10 years now, bifocals before that.
> There are disadvantages to progressives, mainly for me that you have to turn
> your head and point your nose at whatever you are looking at, whereas with
> bifocals you can just use your peripheral vision or shift your eyes.  But I
> have adapted and have no desire nor perceived need to change.

To most of us, that periphial vision is essential to making safe, and good,
landings.

Roger (K8RI)

>
> Stan
>
>
> Tim Hoel <twh@pclink.com> wrote in message
> news:3a05cd1a$0$62630$7ba1063b@news.pclink.com...
> > Although I was able to barely pass my first class medical without glasses,
> > it is getting harder for me to read maps.  (At 48, presbyopia is setting
> > in.)  I am now wondering whether it would be better to get bifocals or
> > progressive lens glasses for flying.  Is there any common wisdom on this
> > subject, or for those who have gone before me, what is your opinion?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Tim Hoel
> >
> >
> >
>
>

Roger Halstead <rdhalste@tm.net> wrote in message
news:%wnN5.14786$mC.928572@monger.newsread.com...
> Roger Halstead (K8RI) www.RogerHalstead.com 
> "Stan Prevost" <sprevost2@nospam.home.com> wrote in message
> > I wear Varilux progressives and have noted no problems VFR or in IMC.  I see
> > no difference in flying an airplane or driving a car in terms of peripheral
> > distortion or disorientation.
> >
> > I have worn the progressives for about 10 years now, bifocals before that.
> > There are disadvantages to progressives, mainly for me that you have to turn
> > your head and point your nose at whatever you are looking at, whereas with
> > bifocals you can just use your peripheral vision or shift your eyes. But I
> > have adapted and have no desire nor perceived need to change.
>
> To most of us, that periphial vision is essential to making safe, and good,
> landings.
>
> Roger (K8RI)
>

Landings have never been my strong point.  Perhaps that's a contributing
factor.  How does one tell?  Other than by getting a nonprogressive
prescription, spending enough time with them to become  natural with them,
and see if landings improve?

Progressive.  I fly behind them all the time.

"Tim Hoel" <twh@pclink.com> wrote in message
news:3a05cd1a$0$62630$7ba1063b@news.pclink.com...
> Although I was able to barely pass my first class medical without glasses,
> it is getting harder for me to read maps.  (At 48, presbyopia is setting
> in.)  I am now wondering whether it would be better to get bifocals or
> progressive lens glasses for flying.  Is there any common wisdom on this
> subject, or for those who have gone before me, what is your opinion?
>
> Thanks,
> Tim Hoel
>
>
>