GLASSES - to varifocal or not

wallofbeans

Hi All,

I've just had my first eye test that has led to actually needing some glasses. My distance sight is fine, my intermediate is +0.75, and my reading is +1.50.

They've said I need reading glasses but could also have varifocals for the intermediate distance, suggesting that I can them use them for reading and looking at phone AND working on a desktop computer. 

There is also the option of just reading glasses, which put on when needed. 

Any experts out there that could give me advise on whether there is any point getting varifocals for +0.75? Or if I should just get reading glasses at +1.50?

I'm new to the glasses game so hope to get some advice from experts and/or experienced glasses wearers!

PterionPterion

Depends on your age and tasks
Are u struggling with desktop at present. If so that intermediate add of +0.75 would make life easier. 

wallofbeans

PterionPterion said:

Depends on your age and tasks
Are u struggling with desktop at present. If so that intermediate add of +0.75 would make life easier. 

Not struggling at the moment. Definitely noticed issues looking at phone in my hand, but not at computer screen yet... I was wondering if my further distance would be an issue but apparently that's fine.

Might the +1.50 help with working at computer? Or would that be too much? I'm not sure how this works...

lisyloo

I use reading glasses at a computer and often at TV, so I think it OTT and possibly money making.

If you are not astigmatic (nothing in the cyl column) then I’d get a cheap pair of readers from the supermarket (both eyes the same?) for a few quid to try,
if you have a more complex prescription (different eyes or CYL) then Specsavers do them for £19. Get a cheapo paid without coatings to try then you can leave them in the office for emergencies or have them as a spare.

varifocals are several hundred at high at of £45 at Asda in their budget range (limited choice of frames).

wallofbeans

lisyloo said:

I use reading glasses at a computer and often at TV, so I think it OTT and possibly money making.

If you are not astigmatic (nothing in the cyl column) then I’d get a cheap pair of readers from the supermarket (both eyes the same?) for a few quid to try,
if you have a more complex prescription (different eyes or CYL) then Specsavers do them for £19. Get a cheapo paid without coatings to try then you can leave them in the office for emergencies or have them as a spare.

varifocals are several hundred at high at of £45 at Asda in their budget range (limited choice of frames).

I do have -0.25 in both Cyl column, so I assume that means supermarket readers wont be good enough. I'm happy to pay a little bit for decent frames and the right reading prescription, I'm just not sure if I need them to get them for both reading and using the computer.

lisyloo

Supermarket/pound shop readers won’t work fully as they won’t have the CYL element. 0.25 is minimal but it still might not prove the experiment.

i use reading glasses all the time for computer work.
my Near vision is 1.75

i don’t personally find varifocals comfortable for any duration due to both the angle i need to hold my head and the physical position of the eyes, so I don’t use them for close vision for long periods. they are useful for other scenarios e.g. driving

As I said Specsavers are £19 for single readers if you want to experiment (no coatings, basic range)

my last pair I got from the £69 range (coatings, non designer range) but my company paid £50 for readers (Specsavers will probably tick the form to say they are for vdu use if you’re buying readers). Does your company contribute towards glasses for vdu use?

i would not recommend online glasses for astigmatism (CYL). They need to be fitted properly. A £19 pair will get you the correct prescription and fitting if you wanted to try that out.

PterionPterion

wallofbeans said:

PterionPterion said:

Depends on your age and tasks
Are u struggling with desktop at present. If so that intermediate add of +0.75 would make life easier. 

Not struggling at the moment. Definitely noticed issues looking at phone in my hand, but not at computer screen yet... I was wondering if my further distance would be an issue but apparently that's fine.

Might the +1.50 help with working at computer? Or would that be too much? I'm not sure how this works...

The +1.50 are likely to be too strong for the computer. 
Glasses are designed to work optimally at a particular focal length. 
So +1.50 would be fine for reading as the prescription would have been calculated for reading distance whereas computers are generally further away hence the lower +0.75 prescription. 

If you have no issues at the computer screen then maybe just purchase a +1.50 for reading and continue without anything for VDU.

If you do struggle at the computer then consider one pair for reading another for VDU or perhaps even occupational lenses which are designed incorporating both a computer and reading prescription.