birding-aus

birding and glasses (and contact lenses now)

To: "Arwen B. Ximenes" <>
Subject: birding and glasses (and contact lenses now)
From: Carl Clifford <>
Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2012 09:26:29 +1000
Arwen,

I have been using multifocals with photochromic lenses (maximum tint) with bins 
for some 25 years, with no perceptible image degradation. There is a slight 
period of gloominess when you come from sunlit areas to shade, but that only 
lasts for a minute.

Cheers,

Carl Clifford

Sent from my iPad

On 22/07/2012, at 7:40, "Arwen B. Ximenes" <> wrote:

> 
> Hi again,
> 
> sorry I haven't had a chance to reply since my last email, thanks for all the 
> additional responses!!!
> 
> well, I've been doing some research and I'm leaning towards trialling 
> contacts (I also found the contact lenses thread) - mostly because of all the 
> issues with glasses - I don't want to have to switch between normal glasses 
> and sunnies, and I don't like the idea of having to look through the frames 
> all the time, then there's the problem with rain/steam/spray, getting used to 
> glasses+bins, etc. 
> 
> My research so far indicates the glasses lenses that would be most suitable 
> for birding are the new (expensive) Japanese freeform lenses - these are 
> multifocal but with a wider distance field as I understand it - perfect for 
> birdwatching and also easier to get used to apparently. I thought it worth 
> mentioning for those out there who said they wanted a wider field of view. I 
> might need to wait for these, another reason to try contacts.
> 
> I am interested in Judith's suggestion of putting one contact lense in the 
> dominant eye - I didn't discuss this with the optometrist though as I was 
> really thinking glasses at that stage, but will do so. Apparently you can 
> also get multifocal contacts now - I'm not sure about those, or how they 
> work. 
> 
> I do have a question - I thought it odd that the optometrist didn't think 
> there was a problem using bins with sunglasses (i.e. prescription sunnies) - 
> surely you need light to see through the bins? Both people I talked to in the 
> shop, one being the optometrist, were convinced sunnies would hardly make any 
> difference.  
> 
> My heartfelt thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences and ideas, 
> there were many points I would not have thought of. 
> 
> I'll keep you posted.
> 
> Arwen
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ......................................... 
> Arwen Blackwood Ximenes
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> From: 
>> To: ; ; 
>> ; ; ; 
>> 
>> Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:32:11 +1000
>> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] birding and glasses
>> 
>> 
>> Hi all,
>> 
>> thanks so much for these ... insights... (sorry). 
>> 
>> Very interesting to hear people's experiences, would be glad to hear more.
>> Especially good to know about the issue with the multifocals' gradation, 
>> Greg, thanks, glad they work better for you now. 
>> Rob and Dave - contact lenses - yes, I had wondered about those but thought 
>> maybe try glasses first - but if it makes such a difference in terms of ease 
>> of use maybe it's worth more consideration. I haven't looked into cost of 
>> contacts - the multifocals are expensive and I already have reading glasses 
>> so I could just change the lenses on those if I got contacts or single focus 
>> and I think it would be a lot cheaper.
>> Bill, I have astigmatism too, and glare makes it worse, hence the need for 
>> sunglasses in the field (or anywhere) - I thought the fitover ones would be 
>> good but it's probably more cumbersome taking them off to look through the 
>> bins, though I won't be able to buy prescription ones for a while either.
>> 
>> I'm still thinking multifocals sound like the way to go, I'm just baulking 
>> at the price tag. 
>> 
>> sounds like having glasses is going to be very annoying, but if they get rid 
>> of the headaches I'll put up with them.
>> 
>> thanks,
>> Arwen
>> ......................................... 
>> Arwen Blackwood Ximenes
>>  
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> From: 
>> To: ; 
>> Subject: RE: [Birding-Aus] birding and glasses
>> Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2012 03:08:20 +0000
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Hi Arwen
>> 
>> I've used contact lenses - now for 20 years. Never had a problem with them 
>> apart from a dusty dry trip around India, and my eye sight is near perfect 
>> with them.
>> 
>> I have used glasses successfully but it is an issue in hot and wet climates 
>> & on pelagics if there is spray (rain, condensation etc.) and in very sunny 
>> conditions you inevitably get light coming in between your glasses and eyes.
>> 
>> When I have used bins with glasses (Zeiss, Leice and Swarovski)- I can use 
>> them interchangeably with the eye-cups down.
>> 
>> I once got at eye infection birding on a long trip to India (so the contact 
>> lenses were a no go) and after a while glasses with bins just become second 
>> nature and you barely notice.
>> 
>> That said, contact lenses are a lot better in general.
>> 
>> Cheers
>> 
>> Rob Morris 
>> 
>> Brisbane, Australia 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> From: 
>>> To: 
>>> Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:27:05 +1000
>>> Subject: [Birding-Aus] birding and glasses
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Dear birding-aus glasses wearers,
>>> 
>>> Numerous headaches later (especially following birding outings!), I have 
>>> now been told I need glasses, not uncommon in those approaching 40 
>>> apparently!). 
>>> 
>>> I’m interested in hearing what set-up birders prefer. (I have bins with 
>>> screw down eye cups). 
>>> 
>>> Are multifocals good for birders? (and what its it like to use the fitover 
>>> glasses whilst birding?) 
>>> What would you go for? 
>>> 
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>> 
>>> Arwen
>>> 
>>> ......................................... 
>>> Arwen Blackwood Ximenes
>>>  
>>> 
>>> ===============================
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