Hey... Old Guys.....

“I have been playing head waggle trying to find the appropriate focus section on my tri-focals. That reminded me of trying to play eye lotto on the trail. Am I the only one who has this problem? Has anyone found a reasonable alternative to neck waggle?

I do have a couple of maybe unique issues. I have bad nerves in my feet and so need to watch the footing directly ahead of me more than many people to make sure I step on whatever is there properly. I can not always trust the feel of the trail. I also tend to have poor balance so I want to make sure I know what I am on. Obviously the balance would be helped by looking directly ahead, but then I fall because I step wrong on the trail.

Any ideas as to what might make things easier for me? Other than "stay home and don't slow every body down...."”

“LOL...I have bifocals & it is so hard to hike in them, or go up & down stairs....when looking down, I have to look over the bifocal....it sucks to get old....I suppose tris are next for me!!!”

“wrt to the glasses issue - I use two pair - one a mono focus for computer and bench / desk work and a pair of bi-focals for general use other than the above

wrt walking issues - can't help you there other than recommend talking to Frolicking Dino over on Whiteblaze - she has some nerve damage in one of her legs”

“Ditch the Bi's as quickly as you possibly can. Tri's are so much better. I would never go back to bi-focals. But that said... I still have to crane my neck way down to see the trail at my feet clearly. At times I just take my glasses off and hike blind.”

“get a guide dog you old pfarts”

“...i meant that in a loving way being old and crunchy myself with LASIK eyes.”

“Ditch the bi's and the tri's; get progressives. I can teach you on line how to use them. Bifocals give you two focal lengths, near and far. Trifocals give you three, near, far and a mid range. Progressives change gradually and you get more inbetween, or intermediate, ranges. No "image jump" that you get from bi's or tri's when you get into the power or add segment. Image jump is what creates the problems with walking, tripping and stumbling. You just learn to point your nose at what you want to see. Nothing will be perfect, but progressive lenses are as good as technologically available at present time. If you decide to get something like that, let me know and I will advise you as to type, etc.”

“I wear monofit contact lenses. The dominant eye is fitted for distance vision and the non-dominant eye for close up. Sounds wierd but your brain adjusts for it nicely. I've used this method for 10 years and like it a lot.

Some folks can't stand it, though.”

“I can wear non-corrective sunglasses if I trust someone else to read the maps. I have to take the tris off 20 minutes before the fish bowl feel goes away.”

“I tried them for about 2 years before I just gave up and went back to bifocals. Now I just move me closer or farther away (usually easier that moving the object).”

“if you got a stick, i got a german shepherd you can use.”

“Speaking of hiking blind... I was living in Maine when Bill Irwin and Orient finished their thru hike. My family was too young to drag them out to hike with him, but I almost wish I had. It would have given them a good story.”

“Any ideas as to what might make things easier for me?

”

“It's nice to be near-sighted. I take my prescription sunglasses off to read maps.

Progressives are the way to go - I have them in my safety glasses at work, but they are too goofy looking to wear in real life.

Pass the geritol...”

“It smells like farts here.”

“and pee !!”

“I don't use bifocals because of wading issues (fly fishing). I just use reading glasses with my lenses (I'm using them now).

Doug”

“Thanks, Minish - I guess. I will turn 60 in July, but happily, I feel great.”

“Just having fun !! I think it's great you guys are still hitting the trail. I pray I'm still able when I hit 60.”

“heh... yeah fifty is fading from the rear view mirror real quick. As far as hitting the trail.... I did on Friday. Face first. That's what prompted this whole line of thought.”