Varifocal Lenses

SevenOfNine

Have been looking at various threads here with interest. I've worn these for years with not too much problem.

Years ago I started with Nikon lens from D&A - got on great & had them a few times.

Switched to Pentax Independence Tailor Made from Specsaver.........DREADFUL. Such a narrow 'viewing field' I insisted they change them.

They put in Sola One HDV which where marginally better than the Pentax but now I've had them 3 years so need to change. Don't want these again as I still think the 'view' range could be better.

So what should I pick?
Should I try Zeiss or Essilor and also been told that Zeiss wearers have been getting on quite well with some called Definition.

My specs are so expensive what with thinner lens and all, don't want to get it wrong yet again.

Any optomotrists out there :beer:

pmduk

What does your own optometrist say? S/he's the one who has expert knowledge of your eyesight. NB, I'm not an optometrist.

Yorkie1

I asked about varifocals on another forum, and an optometrist replied that there were broadly three types of VF lenses:

1. The cheapest end of the market. These tend to have the narrowest field of vision.

2. A wider field of vision.

3. The newest version, freeform lenses, which are much more bespoke and are designed by taking 3D images of the person's pupil / eye.

He went on to comment "One company Essilor who make the Varilux brand had a varifocal called the Varilux Comfort, this lens was for many years very patient friendly, they brought out the new flavour (digital) called Varilux Comfort New Edition. Same design but for whatever reason I (as well as others) could not get any of our old Vx Comfort wearers happy with them.

To be honest with modern designs there is no reason now why pretty much all people cannot get on with them if they were dispensed with the best design for them. The problem is people shop on price (I dont blame them) and with varifocals you get what you pay for."

paxtecum

I had a quote this week for just under £600 for essilor varilux physio 1.74 index lenses (the thinnest ones) and a frame from independent opticians.

Asda Stores have an opticians in some branches. A designer Nike frame or Nautica designer frame, both looked great on me, with the same lenses as above, wait for it....... £220.

Asda don't sell the Zeiss lenses but the optician said he prefers the essilor varilux physio lenses to the Zeiss ones.

I am going for the £220 pair from Asda.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Didn't know ASDA offered anything other than their 1 pair for £70/£90 or 2 pairs for £99/£157.

nedmundo

SevenOfNine wrote: »

My specs are so expensive what with thinner lens and all, don't want to get it wrong yet again.

Any optomotrists out there :beer:

TBH - a lot depends on other factors, such as occupational; requirements and your prescription. Longsighted patients get on better with one type and myopes another.

Ask a few local dispensing opticians what they recommend and go with who you feel most confident with.

paxtecum

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

Didn't know ASDA offered anything other than their 1 pair for £70/£90 or 2 pairs for £99/£157.

I asked Asda about higher grade, well known branded lenses, phoned a couple of Asda Optician branches to check the prices quoted were the same.

If you have had quotes from other opticians for branded lenses, ask Asda if they sell those lenses, phone around a couple of Asda Optician branches to check prices and availability.

Vision Express told me that they don't sell Varilux lenses for varifocals, they sell Zeiss Varifocal Lenses instead.

Below is what I was quoted three weeks ago for Varifocal lenses from Vision Express - no frame, the frame is on top.

Zeiss Individual 1.67 Index £505 1.74 Index £595
Zeiss GT - 3D 1.67 Index £487 1.74 Index £568
Zeiss Gradol + 1.67 Index £355 1.74 Index £525

I am sure with the optical advisers help I could easily spend £150 on a frame, making the total price £750 at Vision Express, when Asda quoted me £220 for varilux physio 1.74 lenses and a designer frame. The Zeiss lenses may or may not, be slightly better but not £530 more better, 3.3 times more expensive.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

paxtecum wrote: »

I asked Asda about higher grade, well known branded lenses, phoned a couple of Asda Optician branches to check the prices quoted were the same.

If you have had quotes from other opticians for branded lenses, ask Asda if they sell those lenses, phone around a couple of Asda Optician branches to check prices and availability.

Vision Express told me that they don't sell Varilux lenses for varifocals, they sell Zeiss Varifocal Lenses instead.

Below is what I was quoted three weeks ago for Varifocal lenses from Vision Express - no frame, the frame is on top.

Zeiss Individual 1.67 Index £505 1.74 Index £595
Zeiss GT - 3D 1.67 Index £487 1.74 Index £568
Zeiss Gradol + 1.67 Index £355 1.74 Index £525

I am sure with the optical advisers help I could easily spend £150 on a frame, making the total price £750 at Vision Express, when Asda quoted me £220 for varilux physio 1.74 lenses and a designer frame. The Zeiss lenses may or may not, be slightly better but not £530 more better, 3.3 times more expensive.

How interesting. My local ASDA never even offered any option to try other branded lenses. Even when I rejected the lenses they prescribed under their offer.

I get my contact lenses from them aswell, so I am a regular customer.

Maybe only certain ASDA opticians are allowed to supply other lenses, as opposed to being restricted to the lenses in their offer.

pattycake

I always got on very well with Rodenstock lenses from my local independent optometrist. However, he has sold out to Vision Express.

I have decamped to Specsavers and must admit their so-called Tailor-Made lenses took a lot more getting used to.

I am on my 2nd set of glasses from Specsavers and this time I have gone for the "geek-chic" look after having the very narrow frames last time. I find the vision so much better in the bigger lenses.

Joanstarling

I had loads of trouble with my Specsavers 'tailor made' lenses when they first came out. Just couldn't focus properly through the middle. I found a huge amount of information on the internet about this 'well known' problem. Ended up taking them back and buying Zeiss 'Superb' lenses from an online retailer in the end. You get what you pay for I suppose. I would never have been able to afford Zeiss lenses from my local opticians!

curlygirl1971

paxtecum wrote: »

I had a quote this week for just under £600 for essilor varilux physio 1.74 index lenses (the thinnest ones) and a frame from independent opticians.

Asda Stores have an opticians in some branches. A designer Nike frame or Nautica designer frame, both looked great on me, with the same lenses as above, wait for it....... £220.

Asda don't sell the Zeiss lenses but the optician said he prefers the essilor varilux physio lenses to the Zeiss ones.

I am going for the £220 pair from Asda.

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread, but I was wondering how you went on with the Asda glasses. I'm in exactly the same position. My options are:-

£240 for Specsavers Elite - which I've decided against because I don't like what I've read about their Pentax varifocals

£580 at an Indpendant Optician - for Zeiss Superb. Read lots of good things about them but it's the cost that is putting me off these (it's not just a one-off investment.....its every prescription change plus sunglasses)

Called in to Asda last night and was offered Essilor Varilux Phyiso for £220! (Plus £80 for higher index) Couldn't believe it.