First time Varifocals - do I need a spare pair or sunglasses?

annie-c

I have good distance vision and never needed glasses until presbyopia set in a couple of years ago, but have decided to try varifocals now because of the increasing need to switch between reading and intermediate (computer) lenses for my teaching job.

I understand that I will be making a compromise on peripheral vision but want to give it a go for the sake of having one pair of glasses on my face all day, without switching. I will keep a pair each of spare reading and intermediate glasses for use as needed at home and work, but really want to give varifocals a go.

I can get a second pair of varifocals at the same time for a reasonable price but am not sure whether I need them, and/or whether it is worthwhile getting tinted lenses in the second pair to use as sunglasses, since I don't usually wear prescription lenses outdoors right now.

I wonder if anyone else has been in a similar position and can advise me, please?

For example, I know that it will be important to wear my varifocals all the time to get used to them, so would it help to have the tinted varifocals lenses on outdoors to help my brain get used to the new way of seeing, or is it OK to switch to single vision sunnies for a few hours here and there? (I want to give myself the best shot at adapting and have found a suitable frame that comes in two different colours so that if I get two pairs the lens size and wrap, etc, will be exactly the same, to help me out).

I am imagining that wearing the varifocals most of the time means I will be less likely to lose/break them than with readers that are on and off my face all day, but just wonder if others have found the need for a spare pair/sunnies when starting out?

Any thoughts from others new to wearing glasses in middle-age would be very welcome!

pollypenny

I have reactions lenses in both my varifocals. They've improved enormously and go dark quickly.

I'm with on the ease of varifocals. Much easier than juggling glasses.

unforeseen

If you can manage for a few days to a week without specs, or use your old prescriptions then there is no need for a second pair for emergencies.

I wear varifocals but am very short sighted. I keep a second pair without tints, reactolite etc in the car for emergencies. Without specs I struggle to see the end of the bonnet.

comeandgo

I too have the reaction lenses with anti glare and they are great, but I still need sun glasses for bright sun as my eyes are sensitive to light. I use cat 4 sun glasses and they are just normal lenses and I have no problem going from varifocals to normal back to varifocals.

I had to give the varifocals about a month until I got used to them and love them.

Torry_Quine

I wear varifocals with reaction lenses and they react very quickly. If you drive though you will need sunglasses as the reaction lenses don't react through glass.

Tigsteroonie

I have clear varifocals for everyday wear, and tinted varifocals for when it's sunny - they tend to live in the car

busiscoming2

I started wearing varifocals last October. I bought two pairs (bogof). One pair I had the photochromatic lenses put in but not on the second pair as at the time I thought it wasn't worth paying for again.

I haven't worn the plain pair yet as I am so used to wearing the photchromatic ones all the time. They have proved to be brilliant in this recent spell of sunshine

Next time I'd make sure I'd either just buy the one pair or have them both photochromatic.

annie-c

Thanks for all the replies.

I hadn't considered photochromic lenses. That does sound like a good idea, actually.... I am more likely to give them a good go if I can just leave them on my head as I pop in and out of the house. I don't need glasses for driving and always keep spare sunglasses in the car, so that shouldn't be a problem. I might just get one pair and spend the extra on photochromic lenses then. I don't need a spare for emergencies as I have several pairs of reading glasses around the place and I only really need the new stronger prescription at night when my eyes are very tired.

If I don't get on with the varifocals for any reason, I suppose I could have them changed to photochromic readers which would still be handy though I might not have splashed out on them ordinarily. I really want the varifocals to work though, so I am determined to give them a good try.

Another question then: grey or brown tint for the photochromic? Off the top of my head I am thinking maybe grey, so I don't get a 70s vibe if they take longer to transition back to clear indoors?!! My frames will be thin and a dark tortoiseshell or dark red colour.

unforeseen

Brown for photochromic. They enhance the greens and I think give clearer vision because of this