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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: material_pakrat
Date: 07-10-2007, 11:48 PM (1 of 15)
I have really bad eye sight - I cant see 5ft in front of me without my specs. But I can read a book or do close work sewing without my glasses no problems. I wear a pair of those square shaped glasses so I can watch the tv and then look under the bottom of the specs to do my sewing.

I am finding that my focus time between long and short is getting really bad, and I think I will have to get a pair of bifocals to make my sewing life easier.

Has anyone had any experience with this, and what kind of glass frames are better. I am looking at buying a pair specifically for doing my sewing work, so I guess it doesn't really matter what they look like. The dog is about the only one who sees me when I am sewing.
Cheers, Soph.

I'm happiest when I am sewing!
User: material_pakrat
Member since: 12-13-2006
Total posts: 220
From: DorothyL
Date: 07-11-2007, 08:25 AM (2 of 15)
I've worn glasses since I was 15. A few years ago I noticed I could see up close better with out them. I started taking them off to read, sew and that sort of thing.
I tried bifocals for a couple years but, while they didn't make me dizzy or nauseous like they do some people, I just never used the bottom part. I'd still just take them off. I decided not to buy something I don't use.
I bought some reading glasses that I use when I'm working at the computer for hours and that is nice. Sometimes I use them when I am reading -- if I remember. I don't use them to sew at all.
My regular glasses hang around my neck at home. When I go out I'm forever putting them on top of my head to see things close up.
Maybe, just for sewing and reading, you can get away with regular magnifying glasses you get in the drug store. I got prescription because the doctor said with an astigmatism they wouldn't work for me.
But I'm not sure I believe him.
If you do get bifocals I think the bigger lenses are better. I've used several pair and the larger ones seemed best.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: SheliaHC
Date: 07-11-2007, 08:54 AM (3 of 15)
I have bifocals and monovision contact lenses but I still sew without anything. I can see better close up without anything at all. If you decide to try bifocals I would suggest a frame that is pretty durable since you will probably end up taking them off for certain things (like threading needles).

Shelia
User: SheliaHC
Member since: 12-28-2005
Total posts: 95
From: jessie s
Date: 07-11-2007, 06:16 PM (4 of 15)
I've worn glasses since I was 9.. About 15 yrs ago got bifocals. No problem with them. Few years ago started taking glasses off to see the computer or sew. The eye doctor said I need trifocals now but my regular eyesight is similar to what a trifocal lens would be so just take glasses off. So top part of lens to drive or walk around and bottom for reading. And regular eyes for computer and sewing. The eye doctor said with computers they are seeing this more often. jessie s
User: jessie s
Member since: 02-26-2007
Total posts: 46
From: plrlegal
Date: 07-11-2007, 09:21 PM (5 of 15)
I had cataract surgery on both eyes a couple of years ago and the replaced my natural lenses with artificial ones. They gave me a choice of distance or close up and I took distance since that allows me to drive, etc. without prescription glasses and I can wear regular sunglasses. The eye doc recommended that I buy reading glasses at the drugstore, which I did. I now have reading glasses in my purse, my bible, my desk at my office, both our cars, the living room, bedroom, kitchen, and, of course, about half a dozen different pairs in my sewing room. Just finished my yearly exam
Patsy
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001
Total posts: 318
From: material_pakrat
Date: 07-11-2007, 10:06 PM (6 of 15)
Thank you all so much for all of this info. I think I will just put the bifocals off for a bit, and give up watching tv while I sew. I guess half of my problems come down to the fact that i always try and do too much all at once.
Cheers, Soph.

I'm happiest when I am sewing!
User: material_pakrat
Member since: 12-13-2006
Total posts: 220
From: beachgirl
Date: 07-12-2007, 04:50 PM (7 of 15)
I've worn glasses since I was 9. I was nearsighted. Then in my 20's I needed trifocals. The bifocal part I tried the one with the line, wrong. When I was driving & moved my head everything jumped. Not good driving a car.:bang: So changed those fast. All are just like one lens & no problem at all. I have the magnetic sunglasses & those are great. Mine has to be dark as the strong sun here does weird nasty things to my eyes. My glasses are on me before I get out of bed & don't go off until I'm ready to turn off the light. Take care of your eyes, you only get 2 in a lifetime. I've never ever wanted contacts. I'd be looking for my glasses.:re:
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004
Total posts: 615
From: woodywoodpecker
Date: 07-12-2007, 06:24 PM (8 of 15)
I have tri-focals and don't have a problem with them. Got them with out lines in them as I'm kind of vain.Couldn't sew without them. Also got the frames that have a memory (titamiun) as I like to read in bed and the old ones would always be twisted out of shape because I would fall asleep with them on.
User: woodywoodpecker
Member since: 11-07-2003
Total posts: 242
From: material_pakrat
Date: 07-12-2007, 10:46 PM (9 of 15)
the old ones would always be twisted out of shape because I would fall asleep with them on.


hehehehe

I thought I was the only person who did that. I have killed many a pair of glasses that way. But now have a titanium pair that I use for "sleep-reading" and wearing out.

I have worn glasses for so long that I look very strange without them. I even have the groove in the bones behind my ears where my glasses fit nicely now. I tried contacts, but between my weird shaped eyeballs and the dust on mining sites, they were one of the worst things I have ever wasted my money on.
Cheers, Soph.

I'm happiest when I am sewing!
User: material_pakrat
Member since: 12-13-2006
Total posts: 220
From: beachgirl
Date: 07-12-2007, 11:21 PM (10 of 15)
I have those gooves behind my ears too. I suppose we all do that have worn glasses so long. There's no way I could have those lines in my glasses either. I'd end up killing myself falling or running into something. I'd feel undressed without my glasses. Would be like having no clothes on. Oh my, what a thought.:shock:
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004
Total posts: 615
From: plrlegal
Date: 07-13-2007, 02:06 AM (11 of 15)
It was quite a strange sensation to suddenly not to have to wear glasses 24/7 after having worn them from the time I was 11 or 12 years old. I experienced that a couple of years ago when I had cataract surgery and lens replacement in both eyes. I only have to wear readings glasses for close up and computer work.

Patsy
Patsy
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001
Total posts: 318
From: Sancin
Date: 07-14-2007, 01:22 AM (12 of 15)
I wear trifocals but the top part of my glasses are not very strong. When I first needed to get bifocals, due to constantly putting glasses off and on to read, I got the no lined ones. I was nauseated for the entire year that I had them. I move my head too much and was always in a blur as only the centre part of the lens was the true prescription. The secret was finding a good optician who spent time with me and asked me to go through what I do in a day. She (and others) told me that one should not see the lines, that one automatically blinks as the eyes move down, which I found to be true. I taught in a classroom and I supervised students doing close up and other skills in nursing. My optician used a ruler and measured where my eyes moved and placed the change in lens there. I love my trifocals. I now even have smaller glasses (tho several opticians told me I couldn't). I am not particularly vain about wearing trifocals - sight is more important to me than appearance but I do have non glare coating on my glasses and it seems like almost have no lens in my glasses. I also have magnetic snap on sun glasses. I love titanium because they are so light on my face. I liked the intellectual look of my old huge horn rimmed glasses but ohhhhh they were heavy on my face. :nervous:

One thing about having very carefully lined up lines is that I have to have them adjusted frequently as a dropping them (or falling asleep with them on) moves the lines away from my pupil. :re:
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005
Total posts: 895
From: MartySews2
Date: 07-14-2007, 11:30 AM (13 of 15)
For years I have worn bifocals without any problems. My eyesight has gotten so bad that I get blurred vision from watching TV or trying to read newsprint. I think the newspaper changed fonts without notifying folks. I cannot see to use the computer or sew without glasses nor can I see clearly to drive. Next month I go back to the opthamologist for another exam. I'm hoping to get stronger glasses to be able to see better. Instead of relying solely on an optician, you might want to see an opthamologist. Just my opinion ...
Marty:bluesmile
User: MartySews2
Member since: 05-03-2007
Total posts: 293
From: Sancin
Date: 07-14-2007, 06:32 PM (14 of 15)
Good points about the font sizes - and types of fonts, Marty! I find as I get older, no matter what type of glasses I am wearing the speed of my eyes adapting to close up and then distance gets slower, sometimes making me feel like I should shake my head vigorously! :whacky: Ahh the joys of aging. There are a number of things that cause blurred vision which should be checked out by opthamologist eg. cataracts, diabetes. Opticians are the ones who actually make the lens and fit the glasses, based on prescription from either opthamologist (medical doctor specialing in all eye disorders, can do surgery and prescribe medications) or optometrist (specialist in determining eye sight disorders, but not a medical doctor). All those 'opts' get confusing, don't they :re: ?

Beachgirl -I know what you mean about not wearing glasses. I can't even think when I answer the phone in the morning or in the middle of the night. I have a friend who laughs at that, but now she must get bifocals so time will tell if she gets the same way. :cool:

BTW-I once had a opthalmologist prescribe the wrong strength and eye lense and it took my optometrist to correct it. As he owns the shop that makes my glasses he didn't charge me much but did say he was in a bit of an ethical delemna.
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005
Total posts: 895
From: beachgirl
Date: 07-14-2007, 09:04 PM (15 of 15)
Nancy, I always put my glasses on if the phone rings when I'm in bed. I never thought about it before. I guess I don't feel all there if the glasses aren't on. Think maybe the brain doesn't work without them ?:shock: I've even gotten in the pool with them on, also the shower. After all these years they are just a part of me.One of my sister in-laws won't answer her phone unless her teeth are in. She misses a lot of calls.
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004
Total posts: 615
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