Should my helmet be doing this to my eyes ?

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I've got an auto darkening lense in my helmet. A few years ago I don't remember this happening, but here lately with 50 year old eyes and now the need of wearing bifocal lenses, I have to keep my head up close to my work while welding so I can see what I'm doing through my bifocals. Today while welding, I noticed after I had run several beads and would stop for awhile, when I raised my helmet, I had that bright spot in my vision like you get when you glance at something really bright and then look off for awhile. Should I maybe try for a darker lense or is it just because I'm having to be up so close to my weld when I work  ?
Reply:it may be possible that you need a darker shade.
Reply:When you cut the distance between your eyes and the ligth source in half, you square the intensity of the light.  So if you're leaning in closer, you should dial in a higher number on the helmet to a darker shade.You should not see trails unless you're taking LSD or fighting a war at night.  Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:LOL.... No, no LSD and not using tracers at night.....My helmet is a Miller that I got with my welder 10-12 years ago. It has photo cells to darken the lense, but there is no adjustment for darker/lighter like the newer ones have. May have to buy and darker shade or even step into this century and go with a modern helmet. I didn't think I could remember this happening 10 years ago when I could see half way decent, just had to get the bifocals this year to see up close. Thanks for the responses.
Reply:Go to your local welding supply and try different magnifying lenses for your hood. They should help get your eyes further from the arc.                                                           MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Your batteries may have failed or the sensors may be smoked up.It seems to me that if it has batteries , they may have died,10 years is quite a long time.
Reply:i haave 62 year old eyes. i have stopped wearing my  trifocals altogether and weld with no glassesx at all..about 6" from the arc. i was tigging or trying to tig a thin saw blasde thre other day at 30 amps and kept bumping my hood on the table..
Reply:I agree with Jack, your getting a bit too close.For really particular work, I use a regular pair of glasses with a cheater on the inside, it allows me to see like a younger man, and still keep a proper distance. For average work you'll have to remove the cheater. If you use "better" glasses for reading small print catalogs and fine work, this trick may help. Picking the strength of the cheater was a trial and error type of thing. Start with a low number and work your way up. I'm currently using a 2.0, they can be had for reasonable money.Just my  opinion, not from a book, just from the road.Howes Welding Inc.www.howesweldinginc.com