As I've aged, I've become both near and far sighted. My glasses are single vision for various reasons.

I'm suspecting that if I wear my distance (near sighted) Rx in general (ie always except when working on computer) that my near vision is actually getting worse.

If I generally wear my close (far sighted) Rx, then obviously things further away are blurry - I could still drive in the day time but reading street signs at distance is challenging (for example). I'm not sure if my far sighted vision gets worse.

If this is expected outcomes, then I would be partial to wearing my close vision Rx generally in the interest of not further degrading my vision.

But not sure if I'm imagining these effects and/or if there are far sighted adverse implications that I haven't noticed yet and/or if there are other considerations for which I should generally use the distance Rx in general, even if it results in worse near sighted vision.

Two pairs of glasses works if that is OK with you. You have presbyopia which generally starts at 40

You're not imagining your vision degrading when you're not using the correct glasses. What your experiencing is the loss of detail vision...because you've told your brain that details aren't necessary at the distance you're not focusing on.

Sounds like it's time for at least bifocals, if not trifocals.

I personally prefer progressive trifocals. The only time I don't use them is when shooting in competition...where I'll use glasses with one lense ground for distance and the other ground to focus on my front sight

I have always been nearsighted, and have been wearing contact lenses for many years. For the farsighted part that came more recently when wearing the contacts I wear reading glasses. as needed. Or if I am wearing glasses instead of contact lenses - mostly just first thing in the morning or at night at home - i push them WAY down on the tip of my nose. I tried progressives but I could not get used to them. Others do fine with them so with a shot especially if you don't want to go the contact lens route.

Welcome to the club!

Generally speaking, wearing one's distance Rx will not degrade (or make worse) one's distance or near vision. If the eyes are going to get worse, they'll get worse whether or not one wears their appropriate Rx. (There is, however, evidence that extensive near work-such as in western civilizations-can increase the incidence of myopia in populations).

What you're experiencing (as noted above) is almost certainly the onset (or furthering) of presbyopia, depending on your age.

There is nothing wrong with using two separate spectacle Rx solutions for distance and near; it's just inconvenient. Really, for most people some variation of a multifocal is best-whether it is traditional lined solutions or progressive multifocals...or multifocal or monovision contact lenses.

If you're of the mindset that a multifocal approach is the way to go now, you will adapt. If you're not ready, it's a waste of time and money.

(By the way, by definition-trifocals are not progressives. )

To paraphrase to ensure I'm understanding correctly; I currently have 2 Rx and 2 pairs of glasses, one for distance vision and one for near vision:

1. It's okay to one one or the other a majority of the time; neither distance nor near vision will degrade due to the Rx being worn a majority of the time. Further degradation for either near or distance vision is orthogonal to the Rx worn.

2. There is no reason to use one Rx or the other re: maintaining current vision; it's really the preference of the person. Worsening vision is not related to Rx used but rather other factors (ie - related to aging).

There is also another option I use. If you do a lot of computer work you can change the settings, and not wear any glasses. It works for me.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
There is also another option I use. If you do a lot of computer work you can change the settings, and not wear any glasses. It works for me.

I do, but it involves a lot of work where, if the resolution is too low, I need to do a lot of up/down, left/right scrolling which is very tedious and slows me down. And I'm already using large size, wide screen monitors.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
To paraphrase to ensure I'm understanding correctly; I currently have 2 Rx and 2 pairs of glasses, one for distance vision and one for near vision:

1. It's okay to one one or the other a majority of the time; neither distance nor near vision will degrade due to the Rx being worn a majority of the time. Further degradation for either near or distance vision is orthogonal to the Rx worn.

2. There is no reason to use one Rx or the other re: maintaining current vision; it's really the preference of the person. Worsening vision is not related to Rx used but rather other factors (ie - related to aging).

If I'm interpreting the meaning of orthogonal as I use it (e.g. "unrelated"), then I think you've nailed it.

Cool. Thanks! In that case, I'll use my distance Rx by default and only use the near Rx when working on the computer or reading.