New spectacles

[Old Speckled Hen]

I need glasses to read( getting old) and have always just bought throw away ones from Primark. Recently I treated myself to a BOGOF offer from a high street specs shop and they are fine
I have just started beekeeping and I need reading specs to look at the frames but I fall over my feet when trying to do anything more distant as my far sight is OK. It is impossible to retrieve glasses that have fallen off your nose (in the process of being pushed onto the head, like you do) while wearing a beesuit.
Any suggestions.
Would bifocals work? Do they still make them?
Are varifocals the way or should I just try putting the specs on a chain and fish for them through the veil. Aaaaarrrrgh
I wonder if you lot can help me
Mods, I've put this on the scary bee thread as well but can you leave it here too for a while .....please

[CookieMonster]

heard on tv today that the larger tescos are doing free eye tests...just incase it helps

[Chickendoodle]

I've got varifocals - they're pretty expensive but really good once you get used to them (it takes a couple of weeks)

You read close up things through the bottom bit and distance through the rest - it just takes a while to adjust to the fact that you have to read by lowering your eyes, not your head!

[Valkyrie]

My reading glasses I usually have perched on the end of my nose so that I can see over the top. Pointless having bifocals because the lenses are too stupidly small to fit in stupid little frames. I can't get on with varifocals so I have one pair for distance - I rarely use the reading glasses unless I'm doing my quilting and then my eyes get a bit tired. It's all down to the ability to focus on distance after you've done close up work. You could try varifocals - my mum loved hers, and the opticians will happily alter the lenses if you find you can't get on with them.

[Olly]

Ooh, a tricky one! I know what you mean about retrieving glasses, I have learned to clip my hair back because it's impossible to push it off your face once the suit is on, and as for blowing your nose ...

I have varifocals, I got them last year and unfortunately I'm already finding it harder to read small print again, think I need a check-up! However they are fine for seeing frames with. I think it would be nigh-on impossible to take glasses on and off once the suit is on. Otherwise, how about a large magnifying glass?

[Old Speckled Hen]

Thanks Olly. I think I'll pop along to specsavers again and see if they can do me varifocals with those curly arms (or do you call them legs ...I don't know ) that go right round your ears like the old national health kids glasses used to be.

[Cinnamon]

Maybe we should rename you Old Spectacled Hen?

[Lesley]

I have exactly the same problem OSH - and I have tried both varifocals and bifocals and can't walk whilst wearing them and wearing the beesuit.

I have settled on having my reading glasses on a cord but pushing them up onto the top of my head so that I can walk to the hives or the assoc. apiary with the hood/veil on and done up. When I'm at the hive I can just push them slightly and they fall onto my nose and I can then see the hive (although I still can't see varroa - must need a stronger prescription ) When I've finished any close work then I can push them off and they just hang from the cord and I can walk away.

[Alis girls]

mine are on a cord round my neck and are on and off all day at work as I have to read batch numbers on vaccines. Does anyone know where I can buy a funky specs cord thing. Mines denim blue and boring

[Old Speckled Hen]

The other thing I've thought of is ONE contact lens.

[Lesley]

mine are on a cord round my neck and are on and off all day at work as I have to read batch numbers on vaccines. Does anyone know where I can buy a funky specs cord thing. Mines denim blue and boring

I bought one from Specsavers which is different coloured tiny beads - it matches whatever I'm wearing. There don't seem to be many interesting ones around.

[rachick]

One contact lens could be a good option - it's called "monovision" and basically, if you're looking in the distance your brain disregards the blurry image from the eye with the reading contat lens in, and when you're looking up close, your brain disregards the blurry image from the eye without the lens in. It can take a bit of getting used to, but works really well for a lot of people! Alternatively, you can get multifocal contact lenses now too......

[lwescott]

My friend was going to get one contact lens, but couldn't get on with them.

Another friend's dad is an optician and she had her glasses fitted properly - they look like normal frames and are quite blue ones, but they have long legs and so go right round the back of her ear and down - she can do anything and they won't fall off

I can see you with a monocle myself

[Egluntyne]

I wear monovision lenses.....one for distance and one for reading. I get on with them really well. It does take a week or so for your brain to get used to them. They might be the answer you are looking for.

[Old Speckled Hen]

I think I'll go see my optician re contact lenses for one eye.