First varifocal lenses/glasses: Go for the best?

andre_xs

Hi All,
I've been short-sighted my whole life, wearing glasses (around -3.5 plus astigmatism), but now I'm getting older and also need reading glasses (+1.5). I'm an office worker, spending most of the day in front of the computer.

I went to a local optician (I think he's *very* good) and (provisionally) decided for the Essilor Varilux Xclusive 4D lenses. They are tailored towards the eye, see some info here:
https://www.essilor.co.uk/lenses/varifocal-varilux/x-series
Of course, they cost good money, the offer I have:
- Lenses £450 (usually £400, but with these 'adjusting' toning for sunglasses which go clear insight and dark outside/in sun; 1.65 refractory index)
- Frame £165 (frameless, good quality brand, titanium frame)
- Second identical pair of lenses £50 (clear, i.e. no sunglasses shading. These will actually be my main glasses)
- Second identical frame (£80)
Comes to £745, but minus £20 some discount, and most likely £75 vouchers from the employer, so £650 in total.
(Or, put slightly differently, I could get one set only (non-sunglasses) for £470, and a second set with adjusting sun-shading for an additional £180)
Having history with proper glasses, that is expensive but doesn't sound too unreasonable to me. After all, this is kind of the Rolls Royce among lenses.
When using two frames, my experience is that they should be identical, otherwise I need at least a day to adjust to them (the vision is always a tiny bit different with different frames).

Well, and then you go to the Specsavers site and see the offers: Until the end of March, their Premium Varifocals "with the latest technology" for £219, incl a £75 frame, incl a second pair of glasses free ("The second pair of glasses are available in the basic version" - not sure whether this also means 'Premium Varifocals' or Standard/cheapest ones). 

Of course it's clear to me that this is not comparable, but it's more than £400 cheaper, so one get's of course doubts whether the good ones are really necessary...

What's your experience?
(in particular for those who have office jobs with a lot of screen work, reading, etc)

Silvertabby

I've worn varifocals for some time now.  As one eye is much worse than the other, I've always had to go for the most expensive ultra thin lightweight lenses. 

I've always been happy with specsavers, but now don't bother with the 'free' second pair  (Don't know if it's a manager's discretion, but I've then been given an extra discount in lieu of the 'free' pair) because the lenses are indeed the bog standard cheapies.  The one time I did take the 'free' pair I paid a little extra to add the light sensitive lenses, but I couldn't wear them because the heavier lens pulled the glasses lob-sided and made them very uncomfortable.   

I did a lot of screen work before I retired and my varifocals were fine - you just need to tell the optician what you need them for (ie, bottom level for reading, mid level for screen and top level for distance/driving). 

Floss

I've worn varifocals for 9 years now, working as a PA its lots of screen work plus driving. I would suggest you don't opt for the cheapest lenses, or the most expensive. 
My current ones are Specsavers in DKNY frames, with Kylie frames on my sunglasses (which have the same lens & prescription plus a tint). They are the not-quite-top lens and cost around £370 for both pairs last September. 
Previously I had 2 lots of lenses from an independent optician as I had bought frames from the USA (cheaper to buy, pay tax & have lenses put in just once than pay the full cost in another opticians), then some from Asda and my first pair of varifocals were from Boots, again mid-price & with tinted ones too.
Also look at Asda - good value & easy pricing.

luvchocolate

I've worn varifocals for 30 years..and tried many different opticians and prices. 
By far the best are Asda with thinner lenses 

greyteam1959

Varifocals lenses are NOT the same as Varilux lenses.
Varifocals have a distinct line across the lens.
Varilux have a graduated lens with no line.
That's why Varilux are considerably more expensive.
I have Varilux lenses & they a very good in my particular case.
One pair only of Varilux lenses from a local optician cost around £400 

Floss

greyteam1959 said:

Varifocals lenses are NOT the same as Varilux lenses.
Varifocals have a distinct line across the lens.
Varilux have a graduated lens with no line.
That's why Varilux are considerably more expensive.
I have Varilux lenses & they a very good in my particular case.
One pair only of Varilux lenses from a local optician cost around £400 

No they don't, I've never had a line across mine which is possibly because they have not been the cheapest lenses. 

OP, one thing I would suggest is to be sure you are happy with your frames, as they will be on your face all the time you are awake 😉

pattycake

greyteam1959 said:

Varifocals lenses are NOT the same as Varilux lenses.
Varifocals have a distinct line across the lens.
Varilux have a graduated lens with no line.
That's why Varilux are considerably more expensive.
I have Varilux lenses & they a very good in my particular case.
One pair only of Varilux lenses from a local optician cost around £400 

Varilux is a trade name.  Varifocal describes the type of lens.  It’s akin to calling all vacuum cleaners Hoover.

i have worn varifocals for many years.  I’ve had the best ones that Specsavers provide and been perfectly satisfied.  There’s a skill in the dispensing as the position of the various areas is critical to a successful pair of specs.

andre_xs

pattycake said:
 There’s a skill in the dispensing as the position of the various areas is critical to a successful pair of specs.

Yes, that's what I've heard. And that's where they seem to make a real 'effort' here: For the Varilux they measure not only the eyes but also a eye 'behaviour', using quite some setup.
I'm still a little undecided, but given that with a proper frame and 'add-ons' I might end up at £300+ at Specsavers as well (with a comparable frame probably even more), I might try the Varilux. After all I need my eyes a lot 
And then still need to decide whether I'll take a second pair of glasses as spares and, if so, as self-toning sunglasses or not...
Thanks to everyone, was very helpful and informative!

roddydogs

Its  bifocals that have a line, not varifocals,  another vote for ASDA if your fairly near one. The prices you quote are ridiculous that in ASDA will be about £150.

getmore4less

when I went progressive(vari),  ( i am around -3.0 with 1.5cyl

I first tried with a cheap online pair and they did the job(just) around £50 did not use them much 

Sometime later(2013) I use Specsavers and they were good pairs and that was me converted to vari for good
forget the price ~£400 for 2 pairs.  

We have used Asda and the OH got her last lot of 4 pairs of varis from them all good and reasonable price.

if not happy with on-line and doing my own measurements I would go with Asda,  two pairs I think are around ~£200  with their pricing model, won't be top end lenses for that.
Problem with Asda tends to be selection, been in to look and nothing I like 

My next pair was from the now defunct optical4less(Hong Kong),  great pair of titanium rimless with good vari lens and photo,  £150($200US)
These now have a chipped lens and the nose legs have come off  still great vision so use them in this state when on the computer.(lasted 3 years before I broke a chunk off the lens hitting concrete) which is quite a lot .
can't remember the brand of lens in these 

the last pair I got was back to the first company(goggles4u), fully loaded  £50, rimless, vari, photo, coating/blue.
Had them 6 months the vari lens is not as good as my O4L ones, the mid range is to narrow for my computer use so use these when going out fine for long distance and reading.

They had another offer this week and could get similar for £40 (with a 65% off code),  they don't to higher end vari lenses so may have to look at high street again I get value from my glasses unless I break them.

The issue you can have is if your add is changing fast you might need to change in 1-2 years unless you stick a little extra on to change into as long as the cyl is not changing and the add/sp change together for the eyes its just the bit you look through that moves

Floss

andre_xs said:
...I'm still a little undecided, but given that with a proper frame and 'add-ons' I might end up at £300+ at Specsavers as well (with a comparable frame probably even more), I might try the Varilux. After all I need my eyes a lot 

And then still need to decide whether I'll take a second pair of glasses as spares and, if so, as self-toning sunglasses or not...

If you are wearing varifocals I would recommend that you get tinted / sunglasses as well, if only for UV protection & so you can see to drive or walk in bright daylight. For that, Asda or Specsavers are best value.