Bifocal or progressive lenses, in my experience shooting bullseye pistol, both work imperfectly. Have to move my head around to get in position to get the correct focus. The positive aspect of progressive is that by moving your head around, you can vary the amount of magnification. I guess that I’ve had better luck using the progressive lenses.

I've had progressive lenses for 20 plus years. I haven't had any issues at all using my glasses with a scope. I'm having cataract surgery this fall in my right eye also. I hope that your surgery goes well. Iron sights are another matter.

Bob, 
My 2¢...
I had a pair of safety glasses that I ordered with readers in them, progressive.  I didn't like them, but then it's what are you're used to?  Mine now all have definite lines in them and my pea brain realizes the definition, the gradual change - even as small as it was - messed with me.   One other feature I have in a set of glasses that I have adjusted to and really like, is a reader grind on the top side of the lense rather than the bottom...  Works well when working at the monitor at the CNC's, but keeps the bottom half of my lense clear for walking and looking through irons...
Greg

The problem that I have with the progressive is when I try to use a post front sight is that it always looks like it is bent.otherwise they are just fine.

About a month ago, I got some prescription glasses to replace the $20 readers that I have been using.  I got a pair of progressives and asked the doc for computer only prescription as well.  Those stay in my shooting box and seem to work well at least for scope use.  I will be trying them with iron sights quite a bit at Spokane in a month.  For general use I guess I am getting used to the progressives.  Everything looks like it is slightly sloping down to the left.  Drives me crazy.

I had cataract surgery in 2018. I elected for astigmatism correction at the same time. I am back to using open sights, only need glasses for reading tiny print. Never been sorry. You might consider that option.
Mike

KFW wrote on May 23^rd, 2025 at 1:54pm:


Kim,
Consider a Knoblock or Champion frame. Using your proper prescription, the lens position can easily be adjusted to accommodate whatever position you’re shooting from. I’ve used one for years.Shooting prone it enables me to look through optical center and not at the frame like with regular glasses. I noticed Dave Gullo wearing one at the Q. 
Bob,
I hope your eyesight is recovering by now. 
Jim

I did not have any luck with progressive lenses.   Walking in the woods was about impossible.   I have been using bifocals with the line 4 millimeters lower than usual.  It works very well.

I take my Flintlock rifle to the Optometrist and go outside and sight on something more than 100 yards, usually about 125 yards.
He has some of the old style testing glasses that have the changeable lens.  When the sights clear up I have a pair of shooting glasses made to that  prescription.
Works at all distances I shoot at.

Works good for me.

I've been wearing glasses since I was forty.

I can't count the number of times my eyes have been saved from flying debris, bugs etc. 

My vision corrected with glasses is 20/20... Even if there is a fool proof   
surgery method to correct my vision, I would still wear glasses to protect my eyes from foreign objects.

PS: I've asked many who have had corrective eye surgery if it was all that was promised, many have said NO.... 
gnoahhh wrote on Jun 25^th, 2025 at 10:32am:

My cataract surgery is scheduled in September for my right eye. My left eye has a cataract also but it isn't effecting my vision in that eye yet. I've been extremely near sighted all of my life since I was about 10 years old. My doctor recommends the lense for my cataract surgery to be for near vision since I will still need to wear glasses for distant vision. There might be a good possibility that I will not need bifocals or progressive lenses to see up close while wearing glasses for distant vision. Time will tell. I am not at all anxious about the surgery, it will be nice to see even just a little bit better out of my right eye.

I have been wearing progressive for many many years but I couldn't see with the glasses that 2 different optometrists made for me. They claimed they were right but one set made me feel like I was walking on the side of a hill all of the time. Can't remember what the other set did but I couldn't wear them. I can see fine with what I get from my current eye doctor. They say it's critical that the lenses be clocked exactly right in order to see right. Good luck

Before my cataract surgery my vision was 430/460.
Without glasses I was considered legaly blind which is legally specified at 400/400.
With cataract surgery I can shoot my iron sights without glasses since the new lens changed my eyes to 20/15.
That is until I have to read my Soule sight setting - cannot read them without glasses.
Still need the progressive lens so I can see up close.
I am approved to drive without glasses since I can read licence plates or signs without glasses.
My wife is a bit distraught I am elegible to drive without glasses since I cannot read the speedometer. 
But I am glad I still wear glasses when shooting since I have had a few rifle cases rupture (brittle brass) that resulted in gas blowback from the action.
Varilux® progressive lenses are designed for people aged 40+, offering sharp vision at every distance with seamless transitions from near to far. 
With Varilux lens when looking down; the ground is perfectly level, without the appearance the sidewalk is higher on the edges. 
Other progressive lens gives you the impression you are walking on a sidehill. 
I also had this problem until I switched to the Varilux lens which eliminated concerns of being able to better evaluate depth of field and where to place my feet when walking up stairs.
This was not the optometrist's prescription but the type of lens used to make your glasses.