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Bi-focal safety glasses that don't distort

John Hicks

John Hicks

Joined
Jan 23, 2020
Messages
695
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973
Location
Shingletown CA
I have to use bi-focal safety glasses in the 2.5-3.0 diopter range. I have not yet found a pair that doesn't distort the magnified area so bad, they really just give you a headache. Cheap manufacture I'm sure is the culprit. Does anyone have any recommendations for bi-focal safety glassed that are higher quality? Most the less than 20 dollars kind, are so curved that this ads to the distortion.
 
I have prescription OSHA certified safety glasses with blended lenes. Between the frames and lenses (for my prescription) this solution runs several hundred bucks, so this may not be the solution you're looking for. But you could ask your optometrist how much for your prescription, just make sure that what's quoted for frame and lenses meet OSHA standards.
 
Since my cataract surgery (3 years ago), I have been quite happy with the 1.5 diopter Clear Safety Reading Glasses from Menards. Before I had the cataracts removed, I had prescription safety glasses that ran about $250. If you don't have a Menards store in your area, they are likely available from Amazon or other retailers.
 
I agree with your comment about the distortion, the other issue I have is finding a diopter that isn't the size of half a dime. I've been using these stick on diopters and like them, sort of... After awhile, they start to lift around the edges and then I re-stick them. They are put on with just water (surface tension?) so are easy to reapply or reposition.

https://www.grainger.com/search/saf...enses&filters=attrs&searchQuery=diopter&sst=4
 
I had real progressive bifocal safety glasses made by a specialist guy who came around to our parking lot in a truck. Best glasses I ever had, they set my employer back about $650, so they should have been. So a really competent optician (unlikely to be found working in a store at the mall) can make a difference.

Post-cataract surgery my vision is (astonishingly) great down to computer distance, but I need magnification for close work, and of course I need safety glasses in the shop. I ordered about 10 different kinds of glasses from Amazon to try and for me the best of the lot were the Dewalt bifocal cheaters. I try hard not to scratch them, with only modest success, so buy them a half dozen at a time and pitch them as soon as I notice they are interfering with my vision. Costs about the same as staying supplied with sandpaper on an annual basis but much more pleasant.
 
John, I finally gave up on bifocal safety glasses for the same reason, the distortion. I now use full frame magnifying safety glasses in 2.0 strength. I also got tired of the neck aches from trying to look through the small magnifier on bifocals. When I'm doing detail work, like small finials or pyro work I wear two pairs. I use a brand called Pyramex and have been very happy with them for several years now. They are not stylish like many of the brands you can buy but they have full frames and side protection. My wife teases me about how goofy I look with two pairs of glasses under a Uvex face shield, but a guy's got to do what a guy's got to do. Getting old ain't easy.
 
At almost 70 yrs old, I picked up my first pair of glasses yesterday. And promptly twisted my ankle stepping off a curb. Darn lower part of the bifocals makes things appear closer than they are. So I expected my foot to hit the street a few inches before it did and that threw me way off. I didn't fall, but limping around ins no fun. My Mrs. works as a nurse and she got the wrap around safety glasses with progressive lenses to wear on the job. She loves them.
 
Perry Hilbert said:
At almost 70 yrs old, I picked up my first pair of glasses yesterday. And promptly twisted my ankle stepping off a curb. Darn lower part of the bifocals makes things appear closer than they are. So I expected my foot to hit the street a few inches before it did and that threw me way off. I didn't fall, but limping around ins no fun. My Mrs. works as a nurse and she got the wrap around safety glasses with progressive lenses to wear on the job. She loves them.
Click to expand...

I got some glasses once that made me feel like I was just three feet tall. It turns out that they weren't made to what the prescription said.

I was seriously injured stepping off a curb and had to have rotator cuff surgery. It was my fault for not looking down. I pay better attention now plus Mrs B reminds me about the step.
 
Maybe it's time for some of those close up things my dentist at the VA uses!
Clifton C said:
I agree with your comment about the distortion, the other issue I have is finding a diopter that isn't the size of half a dime. I've been using these stick on diopters and like them, sort of... After awhile, they start to lift around the edges and then I re-stick them. They are put on with just water (surface tension?) so are easy to reapply or reposition.

https://www.grainger.com/search/safety/eye-protection-and-accessories/reader-eyewear?attrs=Reader+Eyewear+Item|Peel+Away+Magnifying+Lenses&filters=attrs&searchQuery=diopter&sst=4
Click to expand...

I am wanting to order these, but not sure how much of the lens will be covered by them?
 
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