Cataract Surgery/Bifocals?

I'm 23, I originally had iritis, which started at age 19 and eventually lead to cataracts in both eyes.

I had cataract surgery about a year ago. After the surgery I got bifocals. The lens that was put into both eyes is unable to focus like a normal lens, therefor I can only see far away, my eye cant focus up close without the bifocals.

I find myself with a constant hurting neck because I have to lift my head up in order to see things infront of me that are close. For instance, I have a desk job, lots of computer work, I cant look directly at the comp because I end up looking through the top part of the glasses so I have to raise my chin a little to be able to look directly at the computer screen through the bottom portion of my glasses.

I was just wondering if anyone else has the same problem? Have you figured out a better way to do things? Should I just get 2 pairs of glasses, although I dont want to constantly have to change glasses depending on what I want to do.

I am using non progressive lenses. I had no insurance and was unable to pay for the surgery and care and a foundation actually helped me out. They paid for the glasses and would not pay for more than they had to (dont blame them) so I got stuck with these.

Well what type of bifocals are you using? A progressive(no line) bifocal offers you the most natural range of vision from distance to reading and everything in between. But you really should have multiple pairs of glasses for the different things you do...Everyday to wear normally, computer glasses for your desk job and a pair of reading only for when your reading or doing just up close work. I know when you go into the eyeglass stores it can sometimes seem like they are just trying to up sell you or give you more than you really need but listen to what they offer you and why. An experienced optician can tell you the best products for you and the WHY it's what you need. Now No you don't have to go top of line on everything but glasses are really important and if you have to wear them make sure they work properly for you.

If the glasses you have now don't do this it might just be a simple adjust to realign the focal points for you. Go in to your Optometrist and have them do a fitting and usage demo for you. They should be happy to teach just how to use your glasses so your not having to strain your neck.

Yes, despite the positive outcome of the operation, you now have no focus adaptability, "accommodation". You're in the same boat as someone 55+.

If you main job is office/computer based, consider getting "office varifocals". There are a variety of these that can be tailored to your needs. Basically they work by not having a full distance portion in the lens, so allowing a better spread of computer/near vision activities. The one thing you can't do in them is drive home! If you need a distance Rx, that will involve a different pair, either single vsion or conventional bifocal/varifocal. Getting the right sset-up for you will involve noting the distances and angles you do need.

There's also the possibility of lowering computer screens so they fall at a better angle for bifocal/varifocal wearers. The ideal angle for posture for someone who doesn't need glasses is only ONE ergonomic consideration.

In the UK and you are on the computer for more than 16 hrs a week, it is up to the employer to meet the basic cost of any *specially adjusted* Rx that might be required for your work, including specialised varifocals.
I don't know what the health and safety/employment regulations are in the USA.

Pedestal is right a second pair of work glasses would be your best bet.

As you now have distance vision which will not change focus, you'll need to figure a way to have multiple focal lengths with your glasses.

You can use the progressive lenses already described or the Varilux, but I've found that the 'useful' vision area is extremely narrow.

If you get 35mm trifocalsss, the viewing area is wide enough so you don't have to swing your head back and forth to read, and you have that intermediate distance for computer work. I've used these for years and most don't see the trifocal, they just see there's a bifocal area. You could get two pairs of glasses, one with the 35mm trifocal, and the other the progressive ones.

At your age with college and studying you'd love the 35mm trifocals. You might like the progressives too, but I'll bet you end up using the trifocals more. They just work better for reading, computer and other close work without the narrow focal area outside of which it's blurred.

You can get contacts, one lens for far away and one for reading, its called monovision. also are glasses progressive no line bifocals? Those have a segment for distance, intermediate and near.

There are occupational compter type glasses that do address this very problem. You can ask your optician for a Business lense that is made for this kind of work. Unfortunately you might have to have two pairs, one for work and one for real life :) I know it is not convenient, but I think you would be surprised at the options if you ask your eyecare professional. O^O