Photo Gray Glasses

[Bio-T]

I am due for an eye test next month. I presently have a pair of prescription sun glasses and clear glasses. I hate to keep buying 2 prescription eye glasses. Does anyone use the photo-gray lenses and how do you like them. (I also have to use bifocals) And how about the bifocal that is not visible? Lots of questions, but I am trying to buy something that I don't have any experience with and I don't want to be sorry later.

Thanks

 

[sprintman]

Have you considered laser correction? I've had one eye done to fix long distance stuff. Still hard for me to read without glasses and I'm getting bifocals soon.

 

[jorton]

I use photo-gray bifocal glasses. My new pair is a lighter photo-gray because I have symptoms of myopia(night blindness). Can't see well in low light. Myopia is related to near-sightedness and comes with age.
If my budget allowed it I would have 2 pair, 1 with clear lenses and one sunglasses.
If you are younger or if you don't have problems seeing in low lighting I think you can get by with 1 pair of darker photo-gray glasses.

Several years ago I tried no-line bifocals but I couldn't get used to them so I went back to regular bifocals. That was several years ago so maybe they're better now.
Joe

 

[JohnnyO]

I had Photograys about 25 years ago. I didn't think they got dark enough really. Maybe the modern ones are better. I agree keeping 2 pair of specs handy is a pain.

 

[moribundman]

When you guys say "photo-grey lenses," do you mean photochromic lenses? Transistions are garbage, by the way. There are better brands out there. Zeiss, Rodenstock,and Elesse (Hoya) make far superior photochromatic lenses. Of course, they cost a little more. I have excellent photochromic Nikon sunglasses, which are also polarized and mirrored. They are excellent for driving. Mine are not (yet

) prescription glasses, though.

jorton, I think you need a better eye doctor.

"myopia" is nearsightedness which is not related to age. It is generally caused by the eyeball being too long, hence the projected image on the retina is out of focus. "Hyperopia" is farsightedness, which is caused by the eyeball being too short. With age, the lens in the eye becomes less flexible and it becomes difficult to focus on near objects. The effect is almost identical to farsightedness.

Oh, and nightblindness is "nyctalopia."

 

[moribundman]

About bi-focals: Some people have no problems with them, other never get used to them and prefer to switch two pairs of glasses if necessary. It really depends on the individual. One thing is for sure, those bi-focals that don't have a clear line between the far/near segments are generally less well tolerated.

Photochromic lenses give some people headaches. I've never had problems with them. Good ones can darken and lighten very fast and will also have a range from almost not tinted to pretty dark. Again, Transition lenses suck. They are also plastic (acrylic), and no matter what the maker claims, they get scratched, the coatings come off, and they are optically inferior compared to glass lenses. Glass lenses are also thinner, though heavier, than plastic lenses. The higher the refractive index, the thinner the glasses, but also the costlier. Anti-reflective coatings are important, but more important than the number of layers is the quality of the coating. Zeiss makes the best coatings, and you can get their coating on other brand glasses.

 

[k1xv]

I have "photo gray" bifocal no line plastic lens glasses for the aging eyes in my skull. I have only mild near sightedness, about 20-50, and can really read ok in most cases without reading glasses. However, when I use glasses for distance, it is very hard to see things clearly only a couple of feet away.

The no line bifocals are great for driving, especially at night, as you can see the road, and also read the instruments on the dash board.

However, they are not a great substitute for sun glasses in very bright sun. For one thing, the glass in a vehicle filters out much of the ultra violet that makes the photo grays go dark.

When in very bright sun, I also have a pair of Serengeti sunglasses, prescription, and a pair of prescription sun glasses in the Nikon frame that are dark reddish. The Serengetis are darker at the top than at the bottom, and the lenses are quite large. I got mine mail order over the net, but I cannot remember the source. I understand you can get bifocal, no line Serengetis, but they cost $$$

 

[Calvin]

I have been useing Photogreys for several years now
and really like them as my eyes are light sensitive.
They could be alittle darker in the bright sunshine but for the most part their great for me. I tried the " Transitions " for about a week... For " Me " they were down right dangerous.I'm not accident prone but in that week I walked straight into someone , tripped going up the stairs at work and nearly got into a car accident....Dont even consider playing golf with them.Needless to say I gave up on them things.

 

[Ugly3]

My wife recently got a new pair of "photo gray" glasses. She absolutly loves them. They change quickly both ways. Get pleanty dark in full sun. She is happy, and I am glad she is happy.

I was not too happy with the cost (maybe $275) but then I don't wear them.

 

[jsharp]

I've been wearing photo grays for years and really like them. The latest ones change quickly and get much darker then the older versions.

They never quite get 100% clear though so if you have poor night vision like I do expect that to get even worse. Also, they block violet and blue more than other colors so if you happen to be a photographer expect to have some difficulty profiling monitor and printing systems. Ask me how I know this...