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Original poster

Anyone finally get used to varifocals after weeks and weeks?

28 replies

hugoagogo · 02/08/2021 17:28

I have had them checked and the optician thinks I should maybe go back to single vision. I don't want to give up to soon.

OP posts:
romdowa · 02/08/2021 17:29

Nope I tried for 6 weeks and finally ended up putting them in the bin.

Original poster
hugoagogo · 02/08/2021 17:31

I can relate to that. I miss being able to see.

OP posts:
SquirryTheSquirrel · 02/08/2021 17:37

DH and I both got our first pairs at the same time. I paid extra for a higher grade; he didn't.

I took to them straight away - I wore them full time from day 1. DH simply could not see properly through his. They were fine for reading but the distance part was no good. He went back and had them adjusted, to no avail. In the end he had them changed for separate reading and distance specs while he was still in the guarantee period.

What grade of varifocals did you go for? - supposedly the more expensive ones are easier to adjust to.

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campion · 02/08/2021 17:37

Get the most expensive lenses you can afford as that makes a difference. Keep going back to the opticians to get them adjusted.

Or find a new optician as that's pretty rubbish advice from an optician. Maybe they haven't been made specifically enough for your vision.

You do need to persevere initially but that soon passes. They are amazingly better than changing specs all the time.

SquirryTheSquirrel · 02/08/2021 17:38

Just to add to the above, I am short sighted for distance and DH is long sighted - I don't know if that makes a difference.

Original poster
hugoagogo · 02/08/2021 17:41

I went for the most expensive. It's the middle distance bit that I just can't seem to adjust to.

OP posts:
Notavegan · 02/08/2021 17:43

I'm about 2 weeks in. The lenses were so stupidly expensive I'm embarrassed to even admit it. Seems to be getting better.

SquirryTheSquirrel · 02/08/2021 17:44

What sort of effect are you getting in middle-distance? It's normal to have some blurring at the furthest periphery of your vision if you look sideways without moving your head, but you shouldn't notice any difference from your normal glasses looking straight ahead.

Is the distance part of the prescription the same as for your single vision lenses?

middleager · 02/08/2021 17:46

I've always adapted to my Asda ones straight away. They are inexpensive.

Intherightplace · 02/08/2021 17:47

Mine were like a magic miracle from the first time I put them on. I did pay for the upgraded lenses, I don't know how much difference that makes?

StillMedusa · 02/08/2021 17:49

I've been wearing varifocals for about 8 years now... they are fab ONCE they are right for you.
I had a new pair made 6 weeks ago.. with a different make of lens, and though the prescription was correct the lenses were not right for my eyes and I could not see well... I took them back and they changed them for another make of lens..all good now. So don't be afraid of going back several times if needed.
I like the reading part quite high

SquirryTheSquirrel · 02/08/2021 17:50

Mine are Specsavers 'Elite' lenses - £129.00 - you get two pairs for that, so I had one as sunglasses.

SquirryTheSquirrel · 02/08/2021 17:52

Mine were like a magic miracle from the first time I put them on.

Ha ha, yes, same for me. I'd forgotten what it was like to be able to read and write without taking my glasses off and holding the page an inch away from my nose.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 02/08/2021 17:52

Most expensive lenses and NOT from Specsavers is my advice.

RavenT · 02/08/2021 17:55

I ordered 3 pairs, varifocals, computer and distance glasses from asda.

Initially hated the varifocals and put them away for a couple of months and only wore the distance and computer pairs (but it was so annoying having to change between the two). After a while I re-tried the varifocals and as my eyes had adjusted to the new prescription in the separate glasses I could wear them no problem. I think adjusting to a new prescription and the varifocals was too much in one go. It was the first time I'd needed a prescription for reading as well as distance.

I now hardly wear the distance pair at all, and predominantly wear the varifocals. I do find for work and reading that my computer glasses are more comfortable. Prolonged close up reading makes me feel I have to keep moving my head in my varifocals!

Would recommend asda opticians, in the end I got these 3 lenses and some sunglasses for under 250 pounds.

PostMenWithACat · 02/08/2021 17:55

I am on my third pair and each pair has been perfect from day one. My shortsight is about 7.5 in each eye, plus astigmatism and some long sight nowadays.

I go to an independent optician where they take the measurements very carefully. I attempted to replace the 2nd pair via an upmarket chain and they were hopeless but did provide a full refund and I went back to optician one. The high St chain was the most expensive and flogged me top of the range £894!!

My usual optician for a couple of steps below top charged about £820, £740 and £670 so the price seems to be coming down as technology advances. I think it largely falls to the skill of the dispenser.

Will add that the frames are probably at the £200 mark so the cost arises from the prescription, thinning, etc.

laselvar · 02/08/2021 17:57

I paid a lot for my varifocals and they are amazing! I'd had friends and family who had struggled with them, and held off getting them, but couldn't cope with constantly taking glasses on and off. I went to my very good independent optician - they suggested getting a mid range varifocal, but I insisted on the best they had. Within an hour of putting them on I thought they were the best thing ever. Had them 3 years and probably need to get a new pair, just bracing myself for the expense.

ItWasntMyFault · 02/08/2021 17:59

I am very short sighted and took to varifocals straight away. My DP who is long sighted just couldn't get used to them at all and gave up in the end.

Disfordarkchocolate · 02/08/2021 18:02

It took me quite a few weeks. Most of the time I was OK but it took ages to feel comfortable it our local M&S which has no natural light in the food hall and narrow aisles. Glad I persevered though.

BridgetInHerBravery · 02/08/2021 18:09

It took me ages. I went from no glasses at all to varifocals including correction for astigmatism. I absolutely love them in the house but do find them tricky if I'm in open spaces and I have to take them off for escalators.

MackieMayor · 02/08/2021 18:35

Mine are the cheap ones from Specsavers and they are amazing! Adjusted to them within a day.

Reloxa · 02/08/2021 18:59

Tried for about six weeks and after two adjustments still felt like I was in a goldfish bowl so went back to single lens.

middleager · 03/08/2021 15:19

I went for an eye test today at Asda (which I mentioned upthread)and ordered two pairs of varifocals for £120.

These will be my third set from Asda over the past few years and compared to some of the prices quoted on here, they are a bargain!

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 03/08/2021 15:44

Has your prescription also changed? I have been wearing varifocals happily (just being careful on stairs!) for years. I got my new prescription made up in Asda and just couldn't adjust at all. I went back and it turned out that though my new prescription was correct it was just too much for my eyes!! My old ones were fine!! So they reduced it for me. So increased it slightly but not as much as the new ones had been. All perfect ever since! 🙂

Lunariagal · 03/08/2021 16:00

I got the most expensive grade and it took about 4 weeks. Wouldn't be without them now.

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