Frames For Varifocal Prescription

SallyUK

I was at opticians today and she's changed my prescription from single vision to needing varifocals - for lots of computer work and reading.

Now when it came to choosing a frame, I just couldn't find any that I liked and told the assistant this. She gave me the prescription, I paid for my eye test and left.

My question is though, does anyone know of anywhere that has nice modern frames that are suitable for varifocal lenses. All the ones I seen this morning were huge and looked like something my granny would wear! lol

Thanks.

Sal
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Running_Horse

Shop around.

The problem is the reading area of varifocals gets cut away if you go for a very shallow frame. There are special lenses available for such frames, but there are still limits, and (in my opinion) the performance is not as good as a standard varifocals.

Ahem. No offence, but now you need distance and reading, perhaps you are not so many years away from your granny???

SallyUK

LOl - Thanks, I'm only early 40s! lol - Still a young thing - I think! lol

Sal
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sandy2_2

Have a look at Zenni optical site, when you click on the frames they tell you if they're suitable for varifocals
http://zennioptical.com/cart/home.php?gclid=CIXlh-vihpECFQxNZwodvymHBQ

roddydogs

My Variofocal lenses from Specsavers are only 26mm x 46mm wide.
you will need the thinner (Dearer) lenses thou. and thats with quite a strong astigmatic perscription.
Most online store dont do variofocals, you will need your pupilarry distance for these (see the sites)

Tallymanjohn

My OH ordered new varifocals from Specsavers on Saturday - her first pair. Buy one get one free offer (after getting eyes tested for free at D&A ;-) ). Both pairs are 'modern style' frames and quite narrow - she had a choice of a very large range and there were only a handful that the optician said would not take varifocal frames. Cost was £99 for frame, £109 for lenses (they start at £59 but the varying field is smaller) optional £24 for coatings.

Running_Horse

roddydogs wrote: »

Most online store dont do variofocals, you will need your pupilarry distance for these (see the sites)

You will also need pupil height, which unlike PD, varies from frame to frame depending on final fitting. No doubt there are savings to be made online, but avoid varifocals like the plague.

In an ideal world you need your PD for single vision lenses to avoid prismatic imbalance.

SallyUK

Thanks for the replies.

She told me that because I needed varifocals that I couldn't have any of the nice modern narrow framed ones? Is this right? The ones she pointed out to me were absolutely huge big things like Deirdre Barlow used to wear, which is fine if someone wanted that style, but I don't! lol


Sal
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pattycake

I have been wearing varifocals for quite some time and my frames are modern and small. All varifocal lenses are NOT the same. The cheaper lens have more distortion to either side of the optical centre.

I know this is not necessarily money saving but I do believe that with specs you get what you pay for. I have been down the Specsavers 2 for 1 route but not really been quite as happy as with the glasses I have had from an independent optometrist. A cheap frame will hold the lenses the same as an expensive designer frame but will not last as long. I like a new look at least every two years as I don't wear the specs all the time but my friend who does need them all the time has new every year. We both expect to pay around £200+ but if you quantify that with times of wearing, it is not too bad.

If you want trendy, flattering glasses you have to pay a bit more for them IMHO

SallyUK

Hi Patty

Yes, I agree - I don't like to have the same ones for years either.

I wouldn't mind paying for some decent ones, but when she told me that I would have to go for an "older" style I didn't want them, I wanted some nice modern looking ones.

I know it's vanity, but still, if I'm going to be wearing them a lot more, then it's like choosing clothes, you want to look nice, don't you? lol

Sal
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SallyUK

Found some gorgeous frames that I liked at the weekend in Vision Express.

No price on them.

I asked the assistant to work out a price - he said that would be £222 for the best type of lense for me - plus the price of the frames - £140!

£360 for a pair of specs????

I nearly fell off the chair.

Needless to say I didn't get them despite the fact I loved the frames!

Sal
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