Tangent Streak tri-focals

I've seen my new OD and life is good. I'm currently
sampling Cooper Vision multi-focals. I can see.
Amazing improvement over the Acuvues with the
distance centered eye (which is also my very
dominant eye). Bit of fuzz when looking left and
some other problems. I have small pupils and
more or less doing monovision with these. They're
not the end solution.

I intend to try RGPs. It doesn't look like simultaneous
vision designs are going to work very well for me.
Someone here previously recommended Tangent
Streak bifocals. It looks like Tangent Streak also
makes a tri-focal. Any comment on those? I have
a low distance requirement (~+1.00) and use
+2.00 readers. Heavy computer usage at about
28". I have tight lower lids (one of the few body
parts that isn't sagging).

-Quick

 

I fit and personally use Tanget Streak No-Line (aspheric) multifocals.
(+1.25 distance, +1.75 near add). I've tried many aspheric multifocals
and, in RGP, TS is my favorite of the moment. If your pupils are smaller
than 3.5mm at near/average illumination, the soft versions would do the
trick. If they are that or larger, consider an aspheric soft multi.

RGP's are a better bet. For your situation, I'd try standard TS
No-Line's and see if that satisfies your nearest near vision needs. At
the computer, they'll likely be just fine. IF the near is not
satisfactory, you could make the non-distant dominant eye a little over
plus power and that will be a good fix. The lab can also put a little
extra plus power on the front periphery and your tight lids will aid in
positioning the lens into that zone upon downward gaze.

So it's good you're not sagging there yet!

--LB, O.D.

 

Thanks for the reply. It seems that my pupils are 3mm in
normal room light and 5mm with it darkened. At dusk
I'm getting a lot of flare/starburst from headlights. I can't
really put my finger on it but I'm always aware that my
left eye is sort of out of it at distance (left has the near
center). I can see a shift from pretty crisp to fuzzy when
looking left. I *think* I really want the acuity there in both
eyes and I want to minimize or eliminate the flare. I'm trying
to talk my doc into trying to fit me with the TS translating
tri-focals. I'm willing to deal with head positioning, etc,
for the mid and near. He doesn't carry them but he is
going to look into it. If what I have now is the best we
can do I could live with it. Either way I have my mind
set on going RGP.

thanks again,
-Quick

 

I've fit quite a few Tangent Streak bifocals (the true ones,
translating, with the lines) over the years with pretty good success. I
detest and will not fit all the other types of bifocals that use the
smeared, compromised and garbage optics. I'm frankly surprised to hear
that the good name of TS is being used on "aspheric" non translating
bifocals.

Anyway, I came close but have not yet tried the trifocal. I'm a little
concerned about the size of the intermediate, and would only try it on
someone with fairly small pupils. Good luck on whatever you try, but be
sure to consult an o.d. who has actually fit the lens.

w.stacy, o.d.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Good I guess I have pupils on the small side.
3 mm under normal room light but 5 mm in very dim
lighting.
Not so good My doc has no experience with
TS and I don't think he has ever fit a trifocal. He is
sort of balking at it but I'm working him over pretty
hard to give it a try. So far I really like this guy and
am willing to experiment with him if I can talk him
into it. Current ploy is "This is an opportunity to
broaden your experience and give it a try on really
easy to work with patient"... Keeping my fingers
crossed. I'm prepared to pay for it, success or failure
but haven't sprung that on him yet. -

I understand they have a large distance and bottom
segment with a 1 mm intermediate segment. Given
my 3 mm pupil size do you think the entire 20" CRT
screen would be visible through the 1 mm intermediate
segment at a distance of 28 to 30 inches?

thanks,
-Quick

 

I'm not surprised that he hasn't fit a trifocal cl; I'll bet you could
count on your fingers the number of o.d.s who have done that in the
entire U.S.

But I like your ploy, and it might work. Your last sentence should
work, it always works in my office...

Make sure he charges you enough to cover the "per case" costs, so you
can get a couple of exchanges if necessary. On Tan. Strk. bifocals, my
average is 1.5 exchanges or so per eye before I get it right. Let us
know what happens.

w.stacy, o.d.