Any opticians around? I'm really confused and would appreciate some help

[IwishIwasyoda]

OK, so I started wearing varifocals about 5 years ago. I am longsighted with astigmatism so gets quite complicated prescription-wise.

My independent optician recommended Nikon varifocals - I paid to go for the presio power option and I adjusted to them really well. Have had absolutely no issues. Fast forward 5 years and the same optician has just told me they no longer supply Nikon lenses - they’ve moved to Zeiss. I asked why and they said they felt they could get a better product for the price point.

They have suggested I try Zeiss but I am finding it hard to understand what the differences are and if I would really be getting something similar to the Nikon. Money isn’t so much of an issue - I would prefer to get something that is good for me as I wear glasses all the time and cannot function without them.

Are Zeiss and Nikon varifocals similar? Also how do price points compare? One of my biggest issues with opticians is that the pricing is so unclear / non-transparent that you can’t shop around easily. What can I legitimately request if I try zeiss and don’t get on with them -would the optician give a refund or merely suggest separate distance and reading glasses?

I’ve found another optician who can supply Nikon lenses but they are encouraging me to get my eyes tested there. They said they don’t really like just supplying glasses in case something goes wrong. But I thought you could take your prescription anywhere but then friends told me they had problems when they took their prescription from one place to another for glasses and there was an issue. both opticians refused to take responsibility and she was left with glasses she couldn’t wear.

I find navigating opticians tricky because your eye test is a health-related but then you are confronted with a retail transaction where you don’t know if you are buying apples or oranges or something else.

Not an optician but I work at one. Varifocal lens technology is changing all the time and they may be offering you a lens that they feel will offer you a better field of vision. All varifocal lenses are covered by a non tolerance guarantee so if you try the new lenses and don't get on with them they can return them and find an alternative. You can absolutely shop around other opticians with your current prescription and find someone who can offer you the lenses you are used to. Independent opticians are not usually tied to one particular supplier so should be able to find you the lens you want providing it isn't discontinued.

Can I ask what you wear your glasses for? Do you drive, read a lot, have any hobbies such as sewing or knitting? Do you work with computers or do any sports? These are all questions a good dispenser should be asking to find you a good quality lens tailored to your needs.

As another astigmatic high-prescription varifocal wearer, I would definitely have an eye test from the provider of my glasses. I've had several occasions when the opticians have redone my eye test to tweak the prescription to get the lenses just right, and having my previous test results on their records has helped.

The test is a tiny proportion of the overall swingeing cost of varifocals.

Thanks everyone. It's really helpful to talk this over. I don't really have any special requirements other than I do work at a computer and am beginning to think I need occupation specs as well as my varifocals.

My opticians has said that although they still have an account with Nikon they are moving everyone over to Zeiss and they will not provide me with Nikon moving forward. I've been to about 3 different opticians over the past 10 years as I've struggled to get frames that fit (apparently I have a small face even though the rest of me isn't!) that work with varifocals and a high prescription. Most of the current styles are just too deep / too square / too heavy. I find it a bit depressing to be honest and never particularly enjoyable. I really don't understand why more opticians don't offer much more choice.

My varifocals do not work with a computer, nor for any extended close-work. Occupational varifocals are awesome.

TBH I'm rarely delighted with any of my frames. It's always a compromise. Deeper frames accommodate varifocals better, but then my lens becomes outrageously thick and heavy - even with maximum thinning. I'm beyond giving a monkey's how they look at the edge - I don't see it so I'm not going to care - but the weight is an issue.

What about frames from their teens ranges? They might be smaller.

I just realised that you're longsighted, whereas I'm shortsighted, so the challenges we face regarding lens sizes and shapes may be different.

Yes teens ranges has been suggested but they are just too blingy / decorative for my liking. I suspect we have the same issue with frames although the shape of the lens are going to be different. I just find the heaviness difficult.