I've always worn specs in the cockpit, just as I wear 'em for night driving.
In the air they 'sharpen up the numbers'.
However about 4 years ago, the CAA apparently moved the goalposts and I found my licence bearing the 'must wear specs' stamp.
I already had a pair like Gertie described with a tiny 'D' at the bottom to read the map on my lap.
Worked well in the cockpit, but b*gger all use anywhere else: to read the newspaper I got a crick in my neck tilting my head back.
These were IIRC£350.00 and I didn't fancy buying two pairs which were only of any use to me for 50 hours a year.
Then I discovered Varifocals ,which, with photochromic lenses, are the dogs spherules: I can use them anywhere , including in the cockpit, I can read the dials, see traffic and read the numbers on the ground.
They're light, and when my prescription changes with advancing age I'll get another pair.
Meantime my bifocals are well and truly relegated to 'spare'.
One Caveat though with varifocals: and that is if you have a high refraction error, the amount of head swivelling can be unacceptable: a friend of mine regularly found himself tripping up kerbstones on crossing the road because of the forshortening effect of high correction varifocals.
However, they suit me just fine.
Safe flying
Cusco
