2 pairs of glasses or bifocals?

[MaitlandGirl]

Saw the optician on Friday and was told I need reading and distance glasses - the thought of constantly changing my glasses and having to remember where I've put other pair has pretty much brought me out in a cold sweat.

The optician mentioned bifocals as an option. Are these easy to get used to? Are there any advantages to two pairs of glasses? What's driving like in bifocals?

Are you sure the optician said bifocals? Varifocals are the way to go- no rigid either /or lenses and line as with bifocals.

They take a little getting used to,so make sure they are fitted absolutely comfortably for you,and also go for the best quality lenses you can afford. I use Zeiss lenses and wouldn't now have any other (the bog standard ones didn't suit me at all and I gave up first time).

Persevere and you won't regret it. I love my varifocals!

I went for two pairs of glasses four years ago, it wasn't too bad, but I found I was constantly taking the distance ones off in order to read small print. When I had my next eye test I went for varifocals, and apart from a couple of teething problems with the fit for one of the two pairs (SpecSavers had a BOGOF) they have been absolutely wonderful and a total revelation. I have kept the reading glasses from four years ago for use on my PC though. I'm wearing them now . I used the BOGOF to have the second pair of varifocals as sunglasses, if anything they're even more brilliant than the standard plain coloured lenses.

You do not say if you wear your distance specs all the time, if so then you'll be better with one pair (bifocals or varis) otherwise it is constant swapping and changing, if you tend only to put them on for specific tasks...driving, reading, cooking, computers then you will be okay with separate pairs....nothwithstanding the keeping track of the buggers.

other options include contact lenses for distance with readers over the top...only one pair to keep track of ...keep spare distance specs though

or contact lenses...varifocal lenses exist these days and can work well depending on your prescription, or you have the option of mono vision, where one eyes does distance and the other does close, but that's becoming less popular because of the better options.

I have always been extremely short sighted btw so have been wearing glasses since childhood.

...and driving's fine.
I would also recommend not having a visible rim at the bottom of your frames as this makes close up vision easier (I think). I wear rimless with titanium 'arms' and bridge which are very light and don't go out of fashion!

Go for varifocals.
I had a lot of trouble getting the right lenses and getting used to them, but I wouldn't be without them now.
I had to get the very expensive thin lenses, but they are fantastic.
Like you, OP, I couldn't cope with changing specs all the time, having to carry 2 pairs around constantly. Also, faffing with 2 pairs increases the risk of dropping them or losing them.

Before I needed reading glasses specifically (have always needed distance lenses) I had separate 'sitting and reading or working at the PC' glasses due to my squint. And it was a PITA, it really was.
I'm on my second set of varifocals now and they are fabulous. I've had both sets from Asda and the price is amazing, esp as it includes all the lens adjustments I need

From my experience I found varifocals really hard to get used to especially the blind side bits that were fuzzy. I had to physically move my head to read a book rather than keep head still and use eyes (from side to side) to read which made me dizzy. Tried for over 3 weeks then had to return and change for separate distance and reading glasses.

I was told I would wear the varifocals all the time which also was difficult as not used to that and when I took them off my eyes took ages to adjust. I don't need them for driving or general walking around just reading up close and tv/ pc so they really miss sold them in my case. I love what I have now and it's not really a hassle as I have a pair by my bed for reading and in lounge and a different pair for tv.

I have two pairs of single vision glasses. One for long distance and one for mid range (using PC at work). I'm short sighted so I don't need them for reading/close vision.

I also wear single vision contacts with a pair of reading glasses for work.
It's a bit of a faff, but I hated varifocals and just couldn't get on with them. Some opticians will exchange varifocals for single vision within a set time period if you don't like them.

Am also trying mono vision contacts but it takes some getting used to. Getting the middle distance right is the problem I have.

DH was given a two week trial with bifocals

He kept them

Worth asking if they do the same

I'm the same OP, but made the mistake of going for varifocals. I felt so so sick wearing them and everything seemed distorted/at a funny angle whether it was close up or distance. I went back as I thought they were faulty but they were checked and passed. Worst £200 I've ever spent, and I'm now wearing an old pair of distance specs with a £5 pair of reading glasses off Amazon that DH keeps stealing off me.

100% go with varifocals. They do take a bit of getting used to but keep swapping glasses is a total pain.

The optician doesn’t recommend I try varifocals as I get migraines they’re likely to make them worse to start with.

I’m a student so constantly switching from reading to distance work and separate glasses will be a nightmare, but I’m worried bifocals could be an expensive mistake.

Sounds as if I need to take the plunge though, it’s either that or buy 4 pairs of glasses (so I have a spare for each prescription).

Thanks for all the comments - much appreciated :)

I had a short and frustrating phase of 2 pairs and rapidly went to varifocals which I love. No problems getting used to them. DH has recently got varifocals but is happy to carry on with separate pairs at the moment... as pp says it depends on what you do every day and the tasks that you need them for.

They haven't made my migraines any worse, and tbh I can't see how they could.

But when I got my first pair, the optometrist said that if I didn't get on with Varifocals, they would happily change the lenses to single vision for free

They haven't made my migraines worse,either. Nor,as a long term sufferer bad enough to have seen a neurologist twice about migraines, has anyone ever suggested my varifocals are implicated.

DH is a musician and wears varifocals. He has them slightly customised so that the near distance is comfortable when he's reading music but he doesn't have to tilt his head slightly when also engaging with an ensemble,conductor etc.
Looking from a screen to distance shouldn't be a problem if they are good quality and fit correctly. I can't emphasise that last point enough.

The optician doesn’t recommend I try varifocals as I get migraines they’re likely to make them worse to start with.
This is a new one on me. I’d find another optometrist who knows what they are talking about.
Optometrist should offer 30 day trial of varis, it’s well known a small percentage of people can’t tolerate the peripheral blur. This trial typically comes from the lens manufacturer.
Bifocals are cheap as chips in comparison to varifocals and probably the same as buying two pairs of single vision specs.
Once you need distance and near correction everything is a compromise, you just have to decide what compromises you want to make......

I also get migraines but my varifocals have never caused them nor ever been mentioned as a possible contributing factor. I'd suggest seeing a different optometrist.

I have to admit that for some reason my prescription single vision reading glasses are better than my varifofals.The print is larger. Though the optician doesn't agree.

Sunonthepatio I actually find this easy to believe, it’s interesting that you optometrist doesn’t agree, how do they know how it feels for you? The power of the add may be the same as in your readers but the visual experience of single vision lenses and varifocals isn’t necessarily the same. Being able to use your full field is different to a relatively small area in a lens.

I think it very much depends on the strength of your prescription.
I have two pairs of glasses and it's fine, but then I don't wear the reading ones very much.

I took the plunge yesterday and ordered some bifocals - was a horrendously large amount of money but I’m happy with the frames and it was $350 cheaper than varifocals.

If the optician was wrong about varifocals making migraines worse he’s done himself out of a very expensive sale.