About Me
- Peg
- Great rivers are born from drops of water. Opportunity is never lacking in life. Never shy away from hard work. End the day feeling the satisfaction that comes from a job well done!
21 April 2013
13 April 2013
New glasses .... a learning experience
A few years back I posted my thoughts about photogray and transition lenses... Recently, I went for new glasses, and I'm scratching my head on this one ... here's why...
I drive every day usually from before sunrise to sometimes after dark. I'm a 'commercial' truck driver. I've been wearing (glass) photogray (aka photochromatic) lenses for many many years, and yes, I understand they are heavier on your face and aren't necessarily good in outdoor industrial situations where 'safety glass' is recommended and the rule. The heavier glass lenses are not an issue.
For me personally, the convenience is photogray will change from light to dark in all kinds of bright light and through the windshield, negating the necessity for having to change glasses in midstream and/or having a second pair as sunglasses or having clip on sunglasses.
The early 'Transition' lenses were made of plastic and would change color in bright outdoor sunlight, even with a lined bifocal, but not through the windshield. Today's 'Transition' lenses are made of a polycarbonate, also a plastic, but much stronger and more resistant to scratching and hairline finger cracks found in earlier editions.
My eye care professional suggested they couldn't offer my usual photogray any longer, so, I thought I'd try transition again. I opted for the transition no-line (progressive) lenses, because I couldn't have a lined bifocal in the xtra-active lens. I added anti-glare hoping to eliminate the blur from oncoming headlights and sun glare on windows.
I learned (6/April, 2013), even though transition lenses have made great strides they lack in other areas... Although Transition makes an xtra-active lens that will and does darken through the windshield, BUT you can't have a lined bifocal. Progressive no-line is the only option here.... I was warned no line bifocals would take some getting used to, and I would lose some peripheral vision. I think the wording was 'you will loose some peripheral vision with this lens'. I took that to mean 'some' not one half!
Originally, there was a delay in getting my new glasses. I picked them up 5/April, 2013 with the understanding it would take a 'couple of days' to readjust to the no-line bifocal and not to wear them working, driving, etc., until I was comfortable with them. Okay? That was cool.
I was more concerned with them darkening through the windshield than the no-line aspect. They passed the test of darkening through the windshield... good to go, I thought. We'll see what happens tomorrow morning.
Testing, testing, testing....
That evening, I discovered sitting at my desk, that my arms weren't long enough to reach the keyboard and everything seemed smaller though sharper in image. It also appeared I was reading through a small round circle (kind of like a fisheye lens), there was blurr on either side forcing me to move my head or sit back to be able to read things... not so good. Was that the loss of peripheral vision?
More testing, testing, testing....
The next morning I put on the new glasses to head out and run errands. For safety, I took the old pair with me just in case of. The just in case of happened before I had driven three miles (over to feed Traveler). I didn't have any peripheral (side to side) at all. Again, I felt like I was in a tiny fishbowl; everything to the side was blurred. I didn't have any distance ... maybe give or take 50 to 75 feet. Everything beyond the 75 feet was a blur.
No, no, this is not so good to go!
This just isn't happening, I need way more than that! 3/4 of a mile to 1 mile at least for driving a big rig. I felt like I had blinders on without any peripheral vision. Scary, and I don't have the luxury of sitting at home for two weeks watching TV to re-adjust (as a co-worker suggested it had taken about two weeks to get used to them).
Quick, quick! Change glasses .... ahhh comfort. I can see again. Now what to do? I've spent big bucks to try these new fangled progressive xtra-active lenses and I can't see? Good thing, I have 30 days to return them if I'm not happy with them. I am not happy!
After the usual Saturday morning errands, I took the new glasses back. As it was explained to me when I told them what I was encountering....Transition is made that way. You lose peripheral with the progressive bifocal lens, but what was a shock to me was that you not only lose peripheral you lose 50% of your vision field, almost like driving with blinders on, no side to side at all. Definitely like putting a fisheye lens on a camera.
My 'very' silent thought was .... no wonder so many people have wrecks... perhaps they can't see where they're going if they're wearing Transition Progressive Lenses they haven't adjusted to.
(13/April, 2013)
The long and short of the story is; I cancelled the order last week. In an effort not to lose my business, the 'manager' of the store said they would try to get 'the photogray glass' lens made for me. That was a week ago... heard nothing from them, the refund from the 'progressive' lenses has hit my account, and I'm still waiting to find out if I'm going to have glass 'photogray' or will have to go in another direction.
I drive every day usually from before sunrise to sometimes after dark. I'm a 'commercial' truck driver. I've been wearing (glass) photogray (aka photochromatic) lenses for many many years, and yes, I understand they are heavier on your face and aren't necessarily good in outdoor industrial situations where 'safety glass' is recommended and the rule. The heavier glass lenses are not an issue.
For me personally, the convenience is photogray will change from light to dark in all kinds of bright light and through the windshield, negating the necessity for having to change glasses in midstream and/or having a second pair as sunglasses or having clip on sunglasses.
The early 'Transition' lenses were made of plastic and would change color in bright outdoor sunlight, even with a lined bifocal, but not through the windshield. Today's 'Transition' lenses are made of a polycarbonate, also a plastic, but much stronger and more resistant to scratching and hairline finger cracks found in earlier editions.
My eye care professional suggested they couldn't offer my usual photogray any longer, so, I thought I'd try transition again. I opted for the transition no-line (progressive) lenses, because I couldn't have a lined bifocal in the xtra-active lens. I added anti-glare hoping to eliminate the blur from oncoming headlights and sun glare on windows.
I learned (6/April, 2013), even though transition lenses have made great strides they lack in other areas... Although Transition makes an xtra-active lens that will and does darken through the windshield, BUT you can't have a lined bifocal. Progressive no-line is the only option here.... I was warned no line bifocals would take some getting used to, and I would lose some peripheral vision. I think the wording was 'you will loose some peripheral vision with this lens'. I took that to mean 'some' not one half!
Originally, there was a delay in getting my new glasses. I picked them up 5/April, 2013 with the understanding it would take a 'couple of days' to readjust to the no-line bifocal and not to wear them working, driving, etc., until I was comfortable with them. Okay? That was cool.
I was more concerned with them darkening through the windshield than the no-line aspect. They passed the test of darkening through the windshield... good to go, I thought. We'll see what happens tomorrow morning.
Testing, testing, testing....
That evening, I discovered sitting at my desk, that my arms weren't long enough to reach the keyboard and everything seemed smaller though sharper in image. It also appeared I was reading through a small round circle (kind of like a fisheye lens), there was blurr on either side forcing me to move my head or sit back to be able to read things... not so good. Was that the loss of peripheral vision?
More testing, testing, testing....
The next morning I put on the new glasses to head out and run errands. For safety, I took the old pair with me just in case of. The just in case of happened before I had driven three miles (over to feed Traveler). I didn't have any peripheral (side to side) at all. Again, I felt like I was in a tiny fishbowl; everything to the side was blurred. I didn't have any distance ... maybe give or take 50 to 75 feet. Everything beyond the 75 feet was a blur.
No, no, this is not so good to go!
This just isn't happening, I need way more than that! 3/4 of a mile to 1 mile at least for driving a big rig. I felt like I had blinders on without any peripheral vision. Scary, and I don't have the luxury of sitting at home for two weeks watching TV to re-adjust (as a co-worker suggested it had taken about two weeks to get used to them).
Quick, quick! Change glasses .... ahhh comfort. I can see again. Now what to do? I've spent big bucks to try these new fangled progressive xtra-active lenses and I can't see? Good thing, I have 30 days to return them if I'm not happy with them. I am not happy!
After the usual Saturday morning errands, I took the new glasses back. As it was explained to me when I told them what I was encountering....Transition is made that way. You lose peripheral with the progressive bifocal lens, but what was a shock to me was that you not only lose peripheral you lose 50% of your vision field, almost like driving with blinders on, no side to side at all. Definitely like putting a fisheye lens on a camera.
My 'very' silent thought was .... no wonder so many people have wrecks... perhaps they can't see where they're going if they're wearing Transition Progressive Lenses they haven't adjusted to.
(13/April, 2013)
The long and short of the story is; I cancelled the order last week. In an effort not to lose my business, the 'manager' of the store said they would try to get 'the photogray glass' lens made for me. That was a week ago... heard nothing from them, the refund from the 'progressive' lenses has hit my account, and I'm still waiting to find out if I'm going to have glass 'photogray' or will have to go in another direction.
31 March 2013
17 March 2013
Boiled dinner, anyone? New England style...
On Saint Paddy's Day, it's tough not to be a wee bit "Irish".. though I'm not quite sure where the 'New England' fits into 'Boiled Dinner'. Salted beef or corned beef, carrots, potatoes, and cabbage might have been 'cold' stored in ground cellars through the winter months and pulled out for a 'hearty' meal this time of year... I would guess the 'Irish' boiled dinner is a staple as winter wanes, the hills begin to turn emerald green, the mists lift, skies clear, and the sun comes out.
In our house when I was a kid, New England style boiled dinner was a kind of staple, too, and not necessarily reserved for St.Paddy's day. Back then, it was an inexpensive meal and could be cooked all in one pot over the course of some hours...
By virtue of our heritage, we are not Irish. My dad was a staunch Scot, so when it came to St. Patrick's Day, he would recognize the day by wearing orange instead of green. He had an orange tie for the occasion, too. I suppose it set him apart from others in his office.
My sis and I were having a conversation last weekend... and she wanted to know what 'holiday' was coming up that everyone wanted to have a 'boiled dinner'... and I remarked ... Saint Patrick's' Day!
Then my sis commented she disliked mushy veggies...Frankly, I'm not a fan of 'mushy' veggies either. I'd prefer to 'mush' them myself... I can remember Mum's boiled dinner usually acquired mushy veggies in the process of the 'all in one pot' cooking method.
When I thought about doing this post... I thought of my sis and her 'mushy veggies comment'. Hey, sis? My veggies are not mushy! And everything was cooked in the same pot! It was delish too! The corned beef was not overly salty either...
So, it is Saint Patrick's Day... celebrations abound... Green beer (please consume responsibly), and eat some 'boiled' dinner, too! It's a hearty filling meal that takes the edge off the dreary cold late winter weather... and, spring is just round the corner.
10 March 2013
Something new and different...
The mountains and hills around my place are turning emerald green. We've had enough rain this winter for a profuse bloom, and I think the cacti will be in full bloom in the next few weeks.
I'll definitely be out and about shooting those blooms. There is evidence a burn area on the hills behind where I live are recovering and will see some green this year too. The fire was in 2005.
The desert spring is fleeting ... the 'nice' weather (those of us who live in AZ live for) quickly turns into the blistering heat of the summer.
.....and this (above) taken late in the day on Friday past as another wild storm passed through and cancelled our work for the day.
So, let me know what you think of the new layout...
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