aeromedical optometrist (if there is such a thing)

I met w/ an optometrist yesterday who stated that progressive lenses aren't
recommended for pilots cuz they blur peripheral vision. She pointed me to
either readers, classic "lined" bifocals, or bifocal contact lenses (a
couple of varieties) to solve my problem of arms being too short to read
charts.

Bob


"Barry" wrote in message news
Thanks for offering. The instruments seem slightly out of focus but
distance
out to horizon is ok. Reading glasses help but not well. Transition is
a
slight problem when going from horizon sight picture to instruments.
Also, a
1.0 or 1.25 reader solves the problem with focus on instruments but I
need a
1.5 or higher to set the altimeter or to read the compass card (and
probably
the flight computer when I get to use it. Last week I took a lesson that
started just before sundown because the tower held us short for nearly
15
minutes. I wore 1.0 readers. Forty-five minutes later during civil
twilight, reading the instruments was difficult. Forget about reading my
checklist.

You might try progressive lenses. I'm near-sighted, and after a few years
of
having more and more trouble with near vision (though always meeting the
FAA
standard) finally gave in and got progressive bifocals. It felt a little
strange for the first couple of weeks, but now I automatically tilt my
head as
needed to see clearly.