variofocal lenses

[benny123]

i have had a recent eye test where optician advised variofocal lenses, i have'nt had them before but friends have said they're hard to adjust to though optician did'nt think this would be the case, also the cost was a bit alarming, will be approx £250 with fairly ordinary looking frames, a lot more for designer type frame
any tips from anyone would be appreciated
thank you

[suffolkb]

Can`t really offer any advice, but I am looking at variables as well. Specsavers are doing a deal at the moment and if you can`t get on with the specs, they will replace the lenses with bifocals (in my case). I think I will try them as I keep putting my glasses down and then forgetting where I put them.
You`re right though - they are expensive.

[Ms Chocaholic]

I started wearing varifocals about 12 or so months ago and experienced no problems whatsoever in getting used to them. The first day I put them on I was slightly apprehensive but they were just fine and they never felt any different to my normal single vision glasses I had previously

Good luck

PS I got the buy 1 get 1 free deal with Specsavers and they cost about £200 for 2 pairs

[Alibat]

After a few years of being very nervous about trying them (due to the expense if I didn't get on with them) I've just taken the plunge and had my first varifocals. They literally took me all of ten seconds to get used to them. It's fantastic being able to read without having to swap glasses.

I had mine from a Tescos optician. They said if I didn't like them they would refund my money which went a long way in making the decision to try them. I got two pairs for a little over £200, which included the eye test, one pair with photochromic lenses and the other pair as sunglasses.

[McKneff]

Had my varifocals about 3 years now. Took me a week or so to get used to them. As long as they are properl fitted by an experienced person you should be fine. The brain needs this time (less or more) to adjust. I would recommend them highly. i got fed up of forgetting my reading glasses when i went on holiday or got to work and ended up with my ordinary ones perched on the end of my nose trying to type etc. or reading a newspaper with my face 2 inches from the print.:rotfl::rotfl:

[david39]

The only problem I found with them (being a couch potato) is that if you lie on your side on the settee watching television they don't work because one side of the screen is in focus and the other, looking through the reading part of the lens, is blurred!

[suki1964]

Get varifocals and you wont ever look back.

Specsavers 2 for 1 offer is a bargain OR they are also doing free varifocal lenses

Thats their basic lens or they will take £49 of a better quality lens

I get the £109 lenses and I have had no problems adjusting to them. The more you pay the less blur you get to the edges. Other then that the only thing to get used to is clarity of sight for everything

[BitterAndTwisted]

The only problem I found with them (being a couch potato) is that if you lie on your side on the settee watching television they don't work because one side of the screen is in focus and the other, looking through the reading part of the lens, is blurred!

Yes, you're right and I wouldn't have been brave enough to have admitted it on here myself. Hehe.

I got used to my varifocals in about five minutes flat. The only down-side as mentioned is the cost. I think I need a new prescription and I've been putting it off because of this

[roddydogs]

Their are 3 grades of VF lenses.......obviously the more you pay the better..........and you dont look as old as someone with Bi-Focals.
Why does Rolf Harris with all his money use Bi-Focals?

[benny123]

thanks for the replies, useful to get other opinions and prices

[Ted_Hutchinson]

Although I wouldn't be without my varifocals my partner and a neighbour both were unable to adjust to wearing them. So only get your varifocals from a firm that replaces them with single vision, or offers a full refund if not satisfied in 30 days.

Expect to spend a few days adjusting but be aware some people (both these people I know are over 60) just aren't able to adjust even struggling with them for a month and getting them refitted and double checked.

I wouldn't get my first pair of varifocals from an online provider for that reason.

I have had a pair of varifocals (for use a spare pair) from selectspecs and they seem to be fine now though they did take a while for me to adjust to them.

[sillyvixen]

i have had a recent eye test where optician advised variofocal lenses, i have'nt had them before but friends have said they're hard to adjust to though optician did'nt think this would be the case, also the cost was a bit alarming, will be approx £250 with fairly ordinary looking frames, a lot more for designer type frame
any tips from anyone would be appreciated
thank you

£250 with frames and lenses - if you go for 2 seperate pairs as an alternative you will have to pay for 2 sets of frames and lenses possibly costing more - with the disadvantage of having to chop and change depending on what you are doing.
where i work standard own brand vari lenses and entry level frames start at about £150 and depending on needs (ie thinnest lenses, finishes and certain brands) can top £600 with top of the range thinest lenses and high spec frame.. 2 seperate frames for reading and distance start at £89 per pair with cheapest unfinished lenses and entry price frames!! try varis as if they work for you will be more cost efective in the future!

[bignev]

Some opticians will let you try them for say, ten days or a fortnight, if you haven't had them before. If they don't suit you, they will swap them for distance glasses instead.

[tidus]

Just to clarify, almost all opticians will sort you out if you can't adapt to varifocals - usually a free swop to bifocals or to 2 seperate pairs. This is not something only a few places do. Just check the time limit. A swop to other lens types would be more common than a refund. Just clarify before you buy.

Also there are many different types of varifocals. If one place is significantly cheaper than another you may not be comparing like with like. I would avoid the very cheapest and at least pay mid range to get a more modern design - these offer less side distortion and are easier to get used to.

[lexie55]

Noticed on Specsavers website, they offer 4 types of varifocal lenses - I have the standard which they are doing FREE at moment, but would like to know if there is a difference if I went for any of the others...Also any codes or vouchers for FREE eye test with them.

[sillyvixen]

Noticed on Specsavers website, they offer 4 types of varifocal lenses - I have the standard which they are doing FREE at moment, but would like to know if there is a difference if I went for any of the others...Also any codes or vouchers for FREE eye test with them.

there are many different brands of varifocals (all differ slightly in design ie where the reading is and the areas of soft focus at the edge) - some are more addaptable than others (i truly believe you get what you pay for) brands like varilux and zeiss are harder to chop and change from than others and also more pricey!! if it is first time use it may be worth trying an own brand on the proviso that you can trade up or change if you dont get on with it... many opticians will state that these brands of varifocals are like beans there are lots of brands some cheaper than others - but if you are always used to a varilux or zeiss lens it is not the same as eating value beans on your toast occasionally compared to heinz!!

unfortunatly untill you try a varifocal there is no way of knowing if it will suit you and your lifestyle .. which is why any decent practice will change it for you - once you have tried a standard vari you will be aware of the issues which can give a decent dispencer an idea of what could be improved with a different type of vari or a different appoach - bifocals or 2 pairs!!

[Loopy Girl]

I would also say as well, having previously worked as a dispensing optician, that where frames are concerned you really do get what you pay for.