Glasses - some help please

busiscoming2

I have worn prescribed glasses for driving and reading for a couple of years now. I've had a recent test and need to wear a pair full time now. I will need varifocals.

Being new to this I have been offered various options: photochromatic, thinner lenses, coatings etc

Are these all a good thing to have? I know ultimately I have to make up my mind but would like peoples opinions to perhaps help guide me.

I only use a pc for leisure and don't do any competitive sports. I do however spend some of my work time outside so I think the photochromatic lenses are a good idea.

Also is there a downside to getting my glasses where I haven't had my eye test?

TIA

Hermia

Thinner lenses are good if you have a strong prescription. I am -8.5 and normal thickness lenses are uncomfortable as they are so heavy and they look hideous. If I had a low prescription I would not bother.

theoretica

I think photochromatic lenses would annoy me - do you wear sunglasses much at present?

Nick_C

I wouldn't recommend photochromic glasses for driving. If you drive from bright sunshine into a tunnel it will take some time for the lenses to lighten and you will not have proper visibility.

Do you definitely need varifocals for driving? I use distance glasses for driving, or varifocal contact lenses.

McKneff

I hated the photochromic glasses, awful as in the post above, you had to wait and its not safe.


Thin lenses, yes,


Coating, debatable, it does start coming off,so another excuse for the optician to sell you some new one.


Varifocals, I have had mine for years and they are great, but I still find that sometimes I am reading something over the top of my glasses lol

pattycake

Personally, I do not like photchromatic lenses as I am sure they make your eyes light sensitive. That is, there is no going back from them.

I have varifocal lenses (several pairs of specs I must admit) and I also have prescription varifocal sunglasses.

My advice would be to buy the best quality varifocal lenses you can afford. The less distortion, the easier they are to get used to.

I have never paid extra for coatings.

busiscoming2

theoretica wrote: »

I think photochromatic lenses would annoy me - do you wear sunglasses much at present?

I do. I also have the beginnings of cataracts which the Optometrist said exposure to the sun is one of the causes and so want to protect as much as I can.

I have to say I don't actually like the look of the photochromatic glasses as I am sure everything will look slightly duller?

teddysmum

Coated lenses help with night glare, when driving, but, in my case ,reduce the multiple white rings seen around lenses which are thicker on the outside edges (ie concave ). Your optician should have samples to show you the possible improvement.


I have my eyes tested at Specsavers or Boots, in order to have retinopathy tests, but buy my glasses from Asda, who do better deals on thinner and coated lenses.

busiscoming2

teddysmum wrote: »

I have my eyes tested at Specsavers or Boots, in order to have retinopathy tests, but buy my glasses from Asda, who do better deals on thinner and coated lenses.

I've had my eye test done at Tesco. I know that some people find that the glasses they have had made just aren't right. I asked in Tesco about this as I am concerned about spending up to a couple hundred pounds and losing it. I was told I have up to 30 days to bring them back and get a refund. If I got the glasses elsewhere I assume this would not be the case as they hadn't done the test?

theoretica

busiscoming2 wrote: »

I do. I also have the beginnings of cataracts which the Optometrist said exposure to the sun is one of the causes and so want to protect as much as I can.

I have to say I don't actually like the look of the photochromatic glasses as I am sure everything will look slightly duller?

My untinted glasses have UV filters on them as that is what I want to protect against. Check with your optometrist, but that may be what he or she meant.

katsu

I love spec savers reactions lenses but I'm in normal prescription, not varifocals. I find them fine for driving too.