Is there an OPTICIAN who could kindly advise please?

[52andblue]

I had my eyes tested at a well known chain branch.

My prescription is (hope this makes sense?)

LEFT EYE:
Axis: 50175
Distance: 03 Sph 0001
Near: 01 Sph 7501

RIGHT EYE:
Axis: 00180
Distance: 03 Sph 5001
Near: 02 Sph 2501

My Qu is:
I have been told that I can have varifocals or single vision lenses.
Varifocals are much more expensive even with my NHS voucher.
As I need 2 new pairs ideally then I am keen to buy single vision but not if that will be a detriment. I tend to read in bed with specs off anyway (though I've noticed I do tend to close my left eye? habit?)
I don't really mind taking specs on / off to look at phone / watch tv
Optician was rushed but just said: 'personal choice' but really rushed.

Be grateful for a 2nd opinion before I order specs.

They can be quite hard to get used to if you've never had them before. You have to do all your close vision work with your eyes down at the bottom of your lenses, so if you've never done that before, it can be hard work. Just something to consider too.

I'd stick with separate pairs for now if it's not an inconvenience for you. The biggest benefits of vari/bifocals are to enable the user to keep one pair of glasses on for all tasks. Tricky for some to adjust to but others take to them just fine, you just need to modify how you use them eg point nose at object you want to look at rather than just moving your gaze. Do you use a computer at all? How old are you? What is your occupation/hobbies? All relevant in finding out what will be best for your needs. Bifocals are cheaper but don't incorporate intermediate distances, and the reading segment is visible. This should have been discussed with you by a dispensing optician, sorry it was a rush job for you.

I got varifocals for the first time from Asda Opticians last month. It took some getting used to and still feels a bit weird but they are excellent value for money there. If your optician has recommended a certain prescription ie varifocals or a high prescription the cost of upgrade is included. Mine cost £80 for high index varifocals with uv and anti reflective coating.

Not an optician but a varifocal wearer. They are worth the extra expense, I tried the 2 pairs of glasses and couldn’t get used to them so I bit the bullet and went with Varifocals, best thing I did. However in my city we have a manufacturing opticians, and got mine for £89 and that’s with photochromatic coating ( I’ve the start of cataracts) Tescos wanted £333. Google manufacturing opticians you may have one in your city/town. Ours has a website and they have the latest up to date frames. All and I mean all the opticians use them ( I know because they had boxes with the names of local opticians on, and couriers picked up asking for them by name). They are the best kept secret in my area. Don’t know if I’ve helped but I know I can never return to 2pairs.

Forgot to say, you can go to the manufacturing opticians they do everything an optician will do, fitting, measuring etc except the eye test. You have to take a valid eye test prescription in.

sorry I think I explained badly.
the 2 pairs would be 2 pairs of single (distance) vision specs.

I am actually wearing varifocals now (got about 3 yrs ago, prescrip changed slightly since then). I guess they are handy for looking at phone screen then up at TV which I do do in the evenings.
BUT ... I tend to take them off for close work as much as I wear them too.

I am 54. I drive, watch TV and read / look at screens quite a bit.

Seconding Asda varifocals - mine were £45 complete and have been brilliant.

The prescription you've posted doesn't make sense fully but I'd guess you're shortsighted?

Optically, single vision lenses perform better. The entire lens surface is dedicated to one prescription.

Varifocals are optically a compromise but for most people are much more convenient. You can just keep the glasses on all day but since we have 2 prescriptions blended in to one lens you compromise the vision a little - most people are not aware of this

Your optician is right, it's down to personal choice. A lot depends on your job /lifestyle

I work in optics. I can't quiet fathom out your prescription from how you have written it sorry.
From your description of taking spex off to read i guess you are myopic (short sighted).
I'm in the same boat as you. I normally wear varifocal contact lenses so don't have an issue with my near vision. However, suffering from covid I haven't worn those for almost 2 weeks. I would normally only wear my spex briefly in morning and before bed. I'm finding my distance only spex a right pain as I need to remove to see my phone unless I hold it further away than comfy. Then I can't see anything clearly further than about 50cm away. When I get back to work I'm ordering some varifocals. Not all varifocals are made equal though. Some are far better than others and it is unfortunately the more expensive ones that are the best. Your best vision with varifocals is always where your nose is pointing. If you look out of the edge of the lens it will be blurry. The distortions created by getting the clear chanel of vision are pushed to the edges. The better lenses push it further giving a wider clear part down the middle. But yes, it is personal preference whether you go for the varifocal and accept the compromise (distortion at far edge) or have great vision all the way across but can see nothing up close with them. I know a lot of people who didn't realise their dinner would be out of focus wearing distance glasses.

I think sticking with varifocals so you can still see up close without taking spex off and then just taking them off if you want to do lots of close work is the better option.