Who wears varifocals?

rosie383

Firstly, please let me say that I can't believe I am even talking about this!!!!:cool:
I am only 44!:eek::eek::eek:

Anyhoo, I have always been short-sighted and wear glasses except when at home, unless I'm watching TV.
I have noticed now that, even though my distant vision hasn't changed (had an eye test a few months ago), I now can't read anything with my specs on.
Eg, If I am at college, and need to look at a book, then look up at the rest of the class, board, whatever, I either have to look under or over the glasses to read!
I can still read small print, (smaller than this is no problem).
My dh is going to get glasses for computer work, and we want to take advantage of Tesco's, buy 1, get one free for friends or family, offer.

My question is, would varifocals be useful for me? Or are they only good for people who need to use reading glasses all the time?

Amanita_2

I have varifocals and tbh if I have to read small print then I almost always use my dedicated reading glasses and just peer over the top if necessary!

I find the field of view for reading too small and seeing all the blurry area out of the corner of my eye gives me a headache.

They are useful if I'm on a course and seminar and need to keep looking up and down but otherwise I don't use them much.

rosie383

That's very helpful, thanks. I was just wondering if they would be what I should be going for. I definitely don't need reading glasses yet. I just can't read with my 'normal' specs on any more.
Maybe in years to come, that would be the right time to think about them.

Nicki

I am younger than you, and I have had varifocals for a couple of years! I am also very short sighted, and can read without my glasses on though it can be a struggle. With my non varifocal glasses though I couldn't manage it.

What I have found is that you need to go to a good optician and get good advice about the right frames. My first set of varifocals were fantastic and I had no problems. With my second pair though, I struggled a bit with reading and thought my prescription had changed. Although it had (slightly) the real problem was that the frame was too shallow really for varifocals and so I only had a very small reading area on the lens. Changing the frame to something more suitable, even with the same prescription, made all the difference. I have to say, I wouldn't go back now. The advantage of just being able to see everything perfectly without having to swop glasses or peer under or over frames is just great. I also sometimes wear contact lenses in a compromise prescription, and although I can see well enough to drive, and to read, with my lenses in, I still prefer my sight with glasses on as there is much less strain.

No one can tell by the way from looking at my specs that they are varifocals so vanity shouldn't really play a part here as the only person who will know they are varifocals is you, and you already know your near sight is deteriorating, as if it wasn't you wouldn't be having any problems with your old prescription

rosie383

Thanks Nikki, more food for thought there. Vanity is not a problem for me, I was just wondering if they would be useful for me, considering my eyesight isn't very bad yet. I will talk to the optician and see what they think. May be not suitable for me.

roddydogs

DONT get cheap Vf lenses good VF lenses arnt cheap.

System

ive just had [about 2 months ago] my 1st varifocals and its taken me some tine to get used to them ! i found it hard shopping cos you are looking everywhere at once and it made me feel sick but its much better now .my teen has had vf since she was 13 yrs old.

horsechestnut

I have worn varifocals for years (progressing fron bi-focals, which I had to wear from my early thirties!) I think that they are wonderful, but as others have said, get the very best, and the thinnest, that you can afford and make sure that they are of a good size. I always say "give me the all-singing and dancing lenses". Mine are Nikon lenses which I get from D&A ; now taken over by Boots, so I am hoping that they still offer them as I am due to get a new pair in January.
It is one of the items that I do pay a VERY lot of money for; but of course get them when they are on offer!!!
I don't wear them as soon as I get them but take them home and put them on first thing in the morning when I wake up as you would normally.

GlasweJen

Chrissyg, why does your teenager wear varifocals? Kids can accommodate through their prescription so don't need a reading prescription with their distance one?

I know in Japan they don't like kids accommodating and fit varies but the NHS definitely do not do this and will not fund varifocals for anyone (they do fund bifocals and allow bifocal funding to go towards varis). Some children with specific disorders need bifocals but I've always been told it is bad practice to allow them to wear varifocals.

wallbash

horsechestnut wrote: »

I have worn varifocals for years (progressing fron bi-focals, which I had to wear from my early thirties!) I think that they are wonderful, but as others have said, get the very best, and the thinnest, that you can afford and make sure that they are of a good size. I always say "give me the all-singing and dancing lenses". Mine are Nikon lenses which I get from D&A ; now taken over by Boots, so I am hoping that they still offer them as I am due to get a new pair in January.
It is one of the items that I do pay a VERY lot of money for; but of course get them when they are on offer!!!
I don't wear them as soon as I get them but take them home and put them on first thing in the morning when I wake up as you would normally.

Another long time wearer here. If you have a good Spec savers near you give them a try . Yes I know we hear bad things about some branches but the one I go to is very good . it all depends on the staff. My lenses are by Zeiss , not always Spec Savers first choice but they are mine and I pay the bill.

Ps my bill was cheaper last time , £280 for the lenses and another £200 for the frames.

System

GlasweJen wrote: »

Chrissyg, why does your teenager wear varifocals? Kids can accommodate through their prescription so don't need a reading prescription with their distance one?

I know in Japan they don't like kids accommodating and fit varies but the NHS definitely do not do this and will not fund varifocals for anyone (they do fund bifocals and allow bifocal funding to go towards varis). Some children with specific disorders need bifocals but I've always been told it is bad practice to allow them to wear varifocals.

she has them because she needs for both reading and distance and this was the best option for her , she got an NHS vouchers towards the cost but the rest was covered via her DLA money.