Any opticians out there?

lou49

If so, please could I ask for some advice on the wisdom of changing from varifocals (which I have had for several years) back to single vision lenses with a pair of reading glasses?

Reason I ask is that I need a new prescription but because of neck issues I have to go for varifocals with a big lense area otherwise I can't see properly! Have had the titanium ones for ages but I would like something more interesting and possibly a smaller frame - which wouldn't work for me with varifocal lenses.

Whenever I ask (Specsavers) they say that I shouldn't go back to two pairs of specs. However yesterday I saw a lady with the most fantastic frames which were reading glasses (Primark!). Her main glasses are single vision prescription lenses.

So I thought I'd ask here. It made me think - are high street opticians just interested in selling varifocals because they generate more money for them? It's my 60th b'day very very soon and want some exciting specs (also there was something about cheaper specs for over-60's)!

Thanks so much in advance.

helenut

You can always try going back to two seperate pairs. it works for some and not others, the main problem being intermediate distance eg. on the computer or when cooking etc.

A lot of people say they miss their vari's when out shopping for example as they keep having to switch glasses.

What's your distance vision like?

There's always no harm in trying. It's just the cost if you decide they're not for you!

katrina1981

I would get a pair of varis to use when you are out and about etc and order a separate pair just for near vision to use as well.

We often advise varifocals wearers to have a separate pair just for reading.

lou49

Thanks for these replies. Helenut - my distance vision isn't brilliant. My near vision (I assume you mean for reading) is - well, i can't read a newspaper or a book without my specs!

Katrina - why do you advise vari wearers to have separate reading glasses? Does this give more flexibility in terms of what vari frames I could have? I thought the point of varis was so that you didn't have to have separate reading glasses. Oh dear, I feel I'm missing something here.... For example, if I had a frame like this:-


http://media.specsavers.com/common/images/frames/angle0-large/25210118.jpg

they wouldn't work for me with varifocals as lense area looks like it is pretty small.

Really appreciate your help!

nedmundo

I think you've answered your own question here. If you need a distance prescription to see clearly then you have 4 options-

1. Separate distance and near specs in nice small frames - less convenient
2. Varifocals in slightly deeper frames or
3. Varifocals in small frames which may be possible - but the compact design will invariable lead to a visual compromise of distance and reading areas compared to the option above.
4. Bifocals

The choice is yours.
There is no real financial advantage to Opticians advising any particular type of lens and a lot depends on exactly where a particular frame sits relative to your eyes.

torbrex

Ask your optician about your suitability for 'Monovision' specticals, I have been wearing them for over 6 years and they make things so much easier without the need to strain my neck using vari or bi-focals and I don't need to keep changing to readers all the time.
I use a pair of ordinary distance glasses sometimes but mostly just wear my mono's all the time.

lou49

Just to say thanks everyone for advice. I've reluctantly decided I'll stick with varifocals as it will drive me mad having two pairs and will end up losing at least one pair. Have visions of shopping in Tesco in some sort of frenzy of changing specs every two minutes!

Well, the idea was fun while it lasted....Thanks again.

Mrs_Arcanum

lou49 wrote: »

Just to say thanks everyone for advice. I've reluctantly decided I'll stick with varifocals as it will drive me mad having two pairs and will end up losing at least one pair. Have visions of shopping in Tesco in some sort of frenzy of changing specs every two minutes!

Well, the idea was fun while it lasted....Thanks again.

If it is any consolation, the fashion seems to be heading for larger frames again.

lou49

Will be welcoming back the Deirdre Barlow look then, lol! Although the last time I saw Corrie was about 20 years ago!

I'm thinking about finding an optician with perhaps a wider range of frames?