Varifocals cost dilemma

Yorkie1

I'm shortsighted and have worn specs for 30 years, and have just got my first pair of varifocals, from specsavers. The assistant practically refused to sell me anything other than the most expensive lens, and said no when I asked if they did any other brands of lens.

I've only been wearing them under a week but am not overly happy with them. My distance vision does not seem as good - things which were crystal clear before cannot now be focused on at all, and it's hard when cycling because it's not possible to turn your head / body sufficiently far round to look straight behind you when you need to.

I also need to have my chin on my chest (almost) in order to focus on the floor.

I'll give them a decent try for a couple of weeks before making a final decision but the compromise of being able to read the date on my watch as opposed to being able to focus at distance seems too much at present.

Herongull

I'm finding thread this very interesting. I have fairly high myopia (-9 in one eye and -7 in the other) and I've been wearing varifocals for around 10 years.

My local independent optician always gives me specs I am happy with, but the prices seem to be getting higher and higher. I was quoted something like £160 for new frames (Superlite titanium rimless) and £650 for lenses (1.74 index varifocal, latest transitions) and £55 for the eye test (including retinal photograph).

So I'm checking out alternatives:

ASDA: £99 for 1.74 index varifocals or 2 pairs for £158. They don't do transitions for these 1.74 lenses, but a couple of pairs of prescription varifocal sunglasses (different darkening) for £158 would be very useful.

Specsavers: Free eye test including retinal photograph. Alas they don't do 1.74 index varifocals with transitions, but a rimless frame with their top of the range varifocals in 1.67 index and transitions costs £368 (and there was also a special offer if I got 2 pairs).

Online offers: Superlite titanium rimless frames are available for only £40 and various companies can do reglazing with high spec varifocal lenses at reasonable prices.

C_Mababejive

I know the discussion is a little old but i wonder if the OP has considered single vision contacts with some cheapo reader readers as and when required or even multi-focal CLs?

curlygirl1971

Thanks but Am not really keen on wearing CL's for more than a few hours a day although may consider multi focal CL's as an additional option in the future

Due to other things going on have still not got my lenses sorted however had decided to go to local Asda who do Shamir lenses and if I struggle with those will upgrade me to Varilux. If these options don't work out for me then I'll start saving for Zeiss!