Flying with varifocal eyeglasses

[RMK]

I’m a private pilot and recently had my eyes tested. I got a new prescription (age 50 with low-level of short sightedness). Per my low prescription and medicals (EASA & FAA), I don’t specifically have to wear glasses; but it’s a good idea and easier on my eyes. Day-to-day I don’t wear glasses; just for when working at computer, reading or driving.

I got both new eyeglasses and sunglasses with the new prescription. My primary glasses are varifocal (also called progressives) whereas my sunglasses (what I’ll nearly always wear when flying) are a single prescription.

I fly with a Garmin Aera 660 on a Ram mount in front of me and to my right on the bubble. On my first flight wearing the new glasses, I found my distance vision is sharpened up and I see the aircraft gauges fine except for close items. However, I couldn’t read my GPS clearly (was actually much worse than without glasses at that distance) and I subsequently just took the glasses off for the remainder of the flight.

Sunglasses that I cannot use while flying are not a great solution,so I’ve spoken to and am returning to my optometrist to change these lenses. I’m aware one solution could be to have varifocal lenses in my sunglasses also. However, I don’t want any distortion of distance/view when landing/taking-off from confined areas. Another compromise could possibly be a prescription “in the middle” so that my distance is better but not “spot on”.

Anyone have a similar problem and solution?

[MightyGem]

I've worn varifocals while flying for many years without any problems.

[Fareastdriver]

Same here; the last twenty years.

[Non-PC Plod]

Was the problem with the glasses or the sunglasses when looking at the GPS? Some electronic instruments are incompatible with polarised lenses - maybe this could be the problem?

[RMK]

It was just with the distance in viewing the GPS. The sunglasses are not polarised, as I'm aware some aircraft have instruments with polarised glass .


I was concerned if varifocals would give a difference of your "sight view" when looking around at landing/take-off with either moving your head around (looking through single point of glasses) or keeping head still and moving eyes around.

[helicopter-redeye]

My AME suggested wearing the v vocals regularly and let the brain sort out the images it's seeing. Appears to have worked :8

I always land my my eyes shut so I can feel the force :ooh: (Luke)

[Fareastdriver]

Varifocals have the reading correction increase progressively to the bottom of the glasses. Normal eye movement when hovering is horizontal and when formatting on a blade of grass your head naturally corrects its position to keep it in focus as it does with everything else.

[Sloppy Link]

I have been using varifocals for a long time, your head soon learns how to position itself to get the sweet spot, I have to do it very time I get a new pair as the focal length is corrected to where it should be.

[muffin]

I find varifocals are fine for cruise flying and I can actually read the binnacle mounted GPS and instruments while wearing them. However when it comes to final approach I just hate the things and normally take them off as I really don't know where the ground is. Ditto for anything involving hovering. After a few instances when I came into the hover to land and gently went down until I thought I was on the ground, then relaxed on the controls and dropped the last foot like a stone, I now take the things off before attempting it. I find the very low work so much easier without them. I do wear glasses for reading and for driving if I remember, but for very low level flying, no way!

[muffin]

Actually the very worst environment for wearing them is pushing a supermarket trolley. I need them to read the labels on the shelf so I don't wind up with dog food for dinner but the quick repetitive focus switching from shelf to in front to make sure I don't run somebody over does my head in.

[Fareastdriver]

After a few instances when I came into the hover to land and gently went down until I thought I was on the ground,

Are you trying to tell us that you land that gently?:eek::eek::eek::eek:

[500e]

I feel it is what works for you, but the polarizing effect can be very noticeable on some screens
Tried VF for 3 weeks hated them & this was the latest wide angle lenses, felt peripheral vision was not as good.
Went back to the trifocals don't even notice the change of lens.
The optician & I had a lively discussion years ago regarding the height of the lens the conversation was I would like it moved his reply was you don't want it moved or words to that effect any how it was moved up by 2.5mm it made a real difference stopped the nodding dog impersonation