Bifocals vs Progressive Lenses

[Dlr60]

I have worn Varilux  lenses for at least 15 years.  I am middle age,  female.     I was never able to adjust to the reading area of my lenses.  I recently had a new eye exam and the trouble with the reading area of my new lenses is no better.   What happens is,  when I try to read with the lowest part of my glasses I get a bit of double vision, like I am crossing my eyes.   But if I cover one eye and read,  it is all clear.  The same thing with my other eye,  but using them together does not work.  Eye doctor says I have "messed up"  eye muscles and the best bet for me would be to use 2 different glasses.   One for distance and the other for reading.   I do already have reading glasses and do very well with them.   (No double vision)   Or the other alternative would be for me to try the good old fashioned bifocals with the line,  not progressive lenses.   Does this sound like a reasonable solution?  
Thank you for your time.  

[KayakerNC]

The field of view in the reading area of progressive lenses is MUCH smaller than bifocals.  I use bifocals because I could not get used to constantly moving my head side-to-side to read a line of print.  
With the bifocals I can see a whole line of print instead of 2 or 3 words.  Be nice if they could blend that bifocal line a little, but I'll take the line in order to comfortably read.

[ola1000]

Do you mean lazy eye

[ola1000]

Please can you explain what messed up eye muscles mean, i didn't know it was possible to mess up your eye muscles

[Dlr60]

Thank you for your fast reply !   I was curious,  this feeling like my eyes are  crossed,  when trying to use the progressive lenses,  is this a common problem?  I have had this for years but notice it  being more bothersome as I am getting older.   I have never really thought much about it before because I think I was just sort of used to it,  used to my vision seeing this way.   Maybe I should  be a bit more concerned than I have been?
Thank you very much for your time.  

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Yes.  The other alternative is to prescribe and ad about .25 diopters stronger so you do not look at the bottom of the progressive.

Dr. O.