Varifocals or Reading Glasses

Torry_Quine

I'm another Varifocal user and have found them very useful. I agree that it's helpful to get the higher range. Other than when I first get them no issues with stairs 

sammyjammy

elsien said:

 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.

Similar to you I would have three different pairs of glasses but was talked into trying varifocals last year, my employer will also cover the cost of the computer glasses and they just adjusted the cost accordingly.  I think I paid around £35 after the reductions.  It took a long time to get used to them, mostly I think as there are three different lenses but I certainly wear them alot more than I did the three separately so must be better for my eyes and I don't lose them like I did the others!

Marcon

RajaStyle said:

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.

What that backed up with a clear explanation of why, with supporting scientific evidence...? Thought not!

RajaStyle said:

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.

Probably. Varifocal technology has developed hugely over the last 20 years or so, like many 'new inventions'.

It's essential to get them properly fitted, because if they don't line up exactly, it will impact on your vision. Buy the best you can afford - and try to go for larger lenses to give maximum visual field.

If your optician has recommended varifocals, talk through your concerns with them. They are the treating professional who knows your eyes and can allay your fears.

Marcon

MikeyPGT said:

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 ...

I was really interested to read this, because that's certainly not my experience. If I only move my eyes, I'm then looking through the wrong part of the lens, or looking at the wrong angle, and can't focus in. All the advice online (and from my excellent optician) is that you need to move your head, not just your eyes. 

ka7e

Due to age, I have been the route of single lens - bifocal - varifocal over the past 15 years. Varifocals definitely need a period of adjustment and I felt a bit "seasick" in the first week or so as the floor and steps weren't quite where you perceived them to be! But they are great with one small caveat, you cannot clearly see your face close up in a mirror which is annoying if you need to attend to stray eyebrows or blemishes/spots - a mixed blessing.

Martin_the_Unjust

I tried varifocals* but couldn’t get on with them but I’d not give up my bifocals for separate distance and reading glasses.

*Note. After using bifocals for a few years I treated myself to an expensive pair of varifocals, I tried them for a month but really couldn’t get on with them so I took them back to tha opticians and they happily exchanged them for the equivalent bifocals and refunded me the difference. I was glad I went to specsavers!