Anyone heard of slab off varifocals?

elsien

Just been to the optician and come out thoroughly depressed.

I'm at the age where as well as glasses for distance use (very shortsighted in one eye), I now need reading glasses as well. As I struggle to keep hold of one pair of glasses, the thought of two (plus a possible 3rd pair for computer use) is not inviting. Plus I can't buy off the shelf reading glasses, and two or 3 pairs of glasses with the thinner lens to stop them looking like bottle glass is still going to be pricy.
However when I asked about varifocals, the optician said because of the discrepancy between my two eyes, I'd get double vision with ordinary varifocals. I could try slab off ones (which I've never heard of before) but he said I could still have problems. I don't want bifocals (which would still need to be slab off apparently) as they scream "old lady" at me.
The independent optician quoted £250 just for the lenses without frames or anything else which is a lot of money for me if I then still can't wear them. Specsavers had heard of them but said because they were specialist they'd have to phone me with a price. Still waiting a week later. And vision express looked particularly gormless and advised me to stick with the independent optician.

I may still consider contact lenses plus reading glasses, but the optician said if I needed to wear them every day (which I would) to go for the better ones that let more oxygen through as it's better for the eyes in the long run. Which still sounds like it could get quite expensive for some one on a budget, in the long run.

Is there a money saving way to do this, or am I looking at silly money whichever route I take?

oldandhappy

I intend if possible to have laser treatment but I was in a Tesco yesterday that had a spare eyetest appointment announced over there sound sytem, so I went for it and as its been over 5 years since my last one I was pleased to have this done. I only had with me distance glasses... as my reading ones are bifocal which I have never really got used to I rarely take them with me. The optican did wonder how I managed to read whilst shopping...guesswork and squinting alot basically:eek:. He said like your one...maybe 3 pairs or even 4 pairs he must have been joking...unbelievable or back to bifocals that I already told him I dont get on with. So One pair for computer One pair for cooking/recipes duties One pair for normal reading and One pair for driving and everyday on the move stuff....;). I am long and short sighted of an age now that hopefully will not change much... so laser is the way to go for me...I expect to still use reading glasses but just one pair:). Dianne

GlasweJen

If you take a copy of your prescription into another opticians and ask to speak to the dispensing optician (not the person who does the tests though they will be able to help too) you will get a lot further than just talking to a normal worker.

Dispensing opticians have a degree in fitting glasses and will be able to give you a quote for the lenses you need.

nedmundo

Your's is an atypical dispensing, with a likelyhood that some trial and error may be involved before (if!) you end up with a satisfactory outcome.

In this instance, I would definitely have your specs made where you had your eye exam. That way, any teething troubles are easier to rectify.

Slab off Varis are a rare beast and I doubt you're going to find anything much cheaper elsewhere.