Are varifocals worth the money/easy to get used to

amandacat

Now I’m over 40, I need different glasses for distance, computer use and reading. At the moment I have different pairs but it’s a pain changing and if I’m out with my distance ones on I get a headache because while I can still see close up, it’s not clear and is hard work. 
I’m debating getting varifocals but they’re expensive so don’t want to waste money it I can’t get used to them. 
My husband has some for work that they paid for and after a year he still doesn’t like them but they only paid for the cheapest lenses. 
Is it better to pay the extra for a premium varifocal lens? 

sillyvixen

With varifocals you get what you pay for, the cheaper entry level ones are shocking, so are most of the own brand - but branded lenses like varilux or ziess are brilliant and come with a garentee if varifocals are not suited to you!!
The better quality lenses cost more but are so much easier to get on with and adapt to!!

Silvertabby

My right eye is much weaker than my left eye, so the right lens of cheap varifocals would be noticibly thicker and heavier than the left.  So, I have no option but to go for the branded top of the range ultra thin lenses.  I've worn them for some years now, and they are brilliant.  Yes, they took a few days to get used to - just avoid moving your head up and down too quickly - but I'd never go back to different specs for different things now.

Browntoa

I've got the expensive option , no obvious graduation of the lens.

Well worth the money , I had the old split lens version before , made me dizzy

Misslayed

I've got the expensive lenses too, Hoya brand, worth every penny. It took me 24 hours to get used to them.

suki1964

TBH I don't find them expensive. Yes they cost a lot compared to ordinary prescription glasses but you only need the one pair and they last for two years till I need a new script.

Ive worn varifocals since my 30s, with astigmatisms and a very complex prescription I spend around £300 a pair. I tend not to spend on the designer frames now Im older which brings the price down a bit. I have to have the lenses thinned, even thinned as much as possible the left lens is noticeably thicker. I wouldn't be able to drive without Varis so for that reason alone they are worth every penny

Only once have I ever had to return a pair. We thought I could get away with a cheaper lens, I couldn't 

Once you start to wear varis, you would never go back to swapping glasses

If you are open to contacts, you can get one lens for long and one for short distance and whilst it sound weird, your brain gets used to it and the combo works really well. However you won't get the same clarity of vision as you do with glasses

Martin_the_Unjust

I use bifocals, for my birthday the other year I decided I would treat myself to an expensive pair of varifoculs from specsavers.

After a month of using them I decided I really didn't like them, couldn't get on with them so I went back to specsavers and explained my problem, they replaced my varifocul lenses with bifocals and refunded me the difference.

roddydogs

Any ASDA opticians near you? 

unforeseen

I've worn varifocals for about 30 years now and always go for the expensive lenses. I have no problems at all. 
The only thing to get used to when you get a new pair is the slight change in which part of the lens is best for which distance. 
The only drawback I have found is trying to read something at reading distance for example but space constraints prevent you tilting your head to use the right bit of the lens. 

However my wife can not get on with varifocals at all and has gone back to two pairs

luvchocolate

Worn varifocals for almost 30 year now. 
I get mine from Asda thinned down lenses and as good as expensive ones from independent opticians. 

comeandgo

From not wearing any glasses I needed distance and reading so decided on varifocals.  It took me close on four weeks to get used to them.  I felt like a nodding dog trying to find the area I could read with.  My last ones were just under £600 and that is not designer frames.  I need lenses that darken even when I'm driving.  I am glad I persevered with them, they are brilliant.