Varifocals or Reading Glasses

RajaStyle

HI All

I went for an eye test and I have been told I will now need varifocals.

Someone told me - her mother ( admittedly years ago) was told by an old school family optician to never go varifocals and to always use separate reading glasses.

Not sure if this was because it was new a thing back then and the optician was just old school and not keen on new developments or in actual fact it impacted your eyes more having all lenses in one, hence better to just get separate reading glasses.

I just thought I'd ask people on this forum of their experience and thoughts.

Thanks in advance.

elsien

 I have three pairs of glasses. One distance for driving, one mid range for the computer, and a pair of off-the-shelf reading glasses for close up work. It’s a right pain in the arris keeping track of them.
Varifocals weren’t really an option mainly because work were paying for the computer glasses so they were free. If cost wasn’t a factor, I’d have gone for the varifocals because pretty much everyone I know uses them without difficulty. And you’re not constantly rummaging around wondering where the other pair of glasses have got to.

The main difficulty I have found with the single lens driving glasses is because they’re long distance, I can’t focus on the satnav anymore.

MikeJXE

It depends on how old you are and how  bad or good your you think your eyes are 

I'm 82 on the border line for driving hence I wear distance glasses for driving. 

I read books on Kindle and look at the internet so I can magnify the print

Most of the time I'm out and about I don't wear any although it's getting to the stage where I willl need to wear distance glasses more often 

I have had both varifocal and bifocal and personally I don't rate them, they cost more, take time to get used to and you have to be very careful going down stairs 

RajaStyle

ok i'm 46 and I wear glasses for distance anyway (have done for 30 years) but now for near vision it is not so clear and it is clearer when I take my glasses off.  

Ayr_Rage

Varifocals all the way !

As you may know there are various specifications of lenses available, ask your optician what would be best for your lifestyle but from my experience paying the extra for the best available is a no-brainer for my needs.

A lot of outlets often have deals, I bought two pairs of varifocals and got a free pair of intermediate/computer glasses which have been in their case since new, the varifocals are so good.

You will find your head moving around a bit for the first few days but your brain soon adjusts, you have to persevere and not keep taking them off.

Edit : I have just seen the comment about stairs and I disagree, extra caution is only required in the first few days.

MikeJXE

Maybe your best bet is a new optician ? 

Boat_to_Bolivia

I have varifocals for everyday use and can read with them. However, mine are from the cheaper end of the scale, so the reading area is small and for me, only adequate for short term use.

For dedicated reading, I find it easier to use an off the shelf pair of reading glasses.

MikeyPGT

I've had varifocals for the past 10 years or more and not had any problems.  Good advice from my original independent optician was to remember to move your eyes and not your head when focusing in on anything.  Last few pairs have been from GlassesDirect and have been more than happy with them but would definitely go local for the first pair ...

RajaStyle

Sounds like people are saying go with good quality varifocals?

Has anyone seen their eyes suddenly weaken due to using varifocals? 

Ayr_Rage

RajaStyle said:

Sounds like people are saying go with good quality varifocals?

Has anyone seen their eyes suddenly weaken due to using varifocals? 

Your eyes will not weaken due to use of glasses.

My prescription has hardly changed over the 10+ years since I have been using them and all of that is due to normal ageing according to my optician.

Do buy the best you can afford, ask your optician to show you the comparison chart for the lenses on offer.

Boat_to_Bolivia

RajaStyle said:

Sounds like people are saying go with good quality varifocals?

Has anyone seen their eyes suddenly weaken due to using varifocals? 

If you can afford them, then yes getting a varifocal with a bigger reading range is the way to go.

No your eyesight will not be at all affected by varifocals.

One thing I will say is that it took me a while to adjust to varifocals. I often felt a bit sick and dizzy whilst getting used to the lenses and moving my eyes, not my head.

 I avoided escalators for a while ...Probably just me though!