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Original poster

Varifocals advice please!

30 replies

clare8allthepies · 17/02/2022 10:00

I’m pretty short sighted (about 5 in each eye) with astigmatism but over the past few months I’ve found myself peering underneath my glasses to look at my phone etc and sure enough at my eye test a couple of weeks ago they said I needed varifocals.

I picked them up yesterday and the assistant did say that they could take a bit of getting used to. The near vision is great, reading etc no problems but the distance vision is rubbish! Anyone who has had varifocals before - is this something that will improve as I get used to them or do I need to go back to get them looked at? Thanks for any advice.

OP posts:
Mydogisagentleman · 17/02/2022 10:12

I have a pair.
I hate them, I think I was talked into them. I have no issue reading or writing without glasses, but need them for driving.
I always have them on top of my head when I am not using them for distance. For me they were a complete waste of money.
I would go back to the optician. Most offer money back or exchange if they don’t suit your eyes

BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 17/02/2022 10:16

You need to take them back and complain. The distance vision shouldn't be rubbish, it should be as prescribed. Either the lenses are wrong and the distance section isn't big enough, or they're poorly fitted and need adjusting.

I wear varifocals and Specsavers had to redo my latest lenses because the reading section was too narrow and didn't come up far enough - I don't know the technical terms.

Pennypie · 17/02/2022 10:24

You should have decent distance vision with varifocals when looking straight ahead through the top part of the lenses.

If you can't, I would go back to the optician asap to help them checked, you shouldn't have poor distance vision. They may just need an adjustment, but get the optician to check.

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Original poster
clare8allthepies · 17/02/2022 11:04

Thanks for the replies, I’ll give specsavers a phone.

OP posts:
Iheartmysmart · 17/02/2022 11:08

I hated mine so much that I took them back for a refund. Had my usual distance prescription put in the frames and bought a separate pair of reading glasses. It’s a pain having two pairs of glasses but I couldn’t see anything in my varifocals and certainly couldn’t drive in them!

Custardpudding · 17/02/2022 11:51

I Have this dilemma right now
I have new varifocals but can’t get on with them because of the soft focus bits at the side. I’m back at the opticians later… I’m wondering if swap to bifocals so small reading bit and then usual distance. Does anyone know if bifocals miss a bit too? I paid too price for my varifocals but they still don’t give me enough all round vision.
I’m debating either new reading or computer strength? Can’t decide what is better or varifocals… but Is there a line on these?

pickingdaisies · 17/02/2022 12:09

I don't think modern bifocals look as obvious as they used to but I've never worn them.
Varifocals, the more you spend the less you should notice them (those fuzzy bits at the sides)
Watch it with Specsavers, you have to flag up the issues quite quickly with varifocals. And because they tell you to take time to get used to them, you can end up missing out - or in a battle with them. My last pair from them weren't right. They refitted them but really I suspect that the frame wasn't suitable for the lenses ( too flexible). The thing is though that when I went back with them, they told me I was on the last day for free replacement, it was shorter than the normal time. Not mentioned when I actually ordered them. Not sure if that was standard Specsavers policy, or if the assistant I saw was spinning a line. Anyway the whole thing broke my trust in them.
I went elsewhere for my latest pair, they cost far too much but at least I can see.

Bagelsandbrie · 17/02/2022 12:14

I am very short sighted -9.50 both eyes and have astigmatism and retinal issues. I love my varifocals and can see really well with them both distance and close up but I had a very bad experience with specsavers where they didn’t measure the line / where the lenses should change properly and it screwed the whole thing up. I took them back and complained and they did the same thing again so in the end I went to an independent optician and they started from scratch and the glasses I got from them are amazing. Varifocals should give you excellent vision so please do complain, but they’re hard to measure correctly so it may take some persistence!

peridito · 17/02/2022 12:20

IME you have to get top of the range .If you get cheaper ones there is more distortion ,out of focus areas .

That said ,the OP's problem sounds different .One aspect should not be rubbish .

Custardpudding · 17/02/2022 12:56

I paid the top price but just think they aren’t great! Mine are specsavers too and they have been good to be fair. They have given me +1.25 reading or 1.75 computer and this comes off my minus figures of -4.25 and -3.25. I have a big astigmatism too. I just want to be able sit watch tele and look at book/ phone too and I just don’t like the missing bits of soft focus.
I don’t know what to do, I could see work computer ok ish with usual specs but not read but if I go for the +1.75 it might mess up lap top, or 1.25 might mess reading. I’ve already paid 100 thin lens abs 175 varifocals. Normal reading are just 30 extra on top of the main pair I have. I don’t mind paying if they work!

Seeingadistance · 17/02/2022 13:06

I’ve tried varifocals twice now and just don’t like them at all. I use them for driving only as they do let me read the dashboard info as well as seeing to drive, but other than that - nope!

People say to persist with them, but in my experience the people who do like them took to them almost instantly.

milveycrohn · 17/02/2022 13:12

I've worn varifocals for many years. I love them, and wear them all the time.
Prior to having them, I used to have Reading glasses, but was constantly putting them on and taking them off.
With my glasses, I have 3 settings, distance, which with me, is still quite good, then a mid range for the computer, and then a close range at the bottom for reading.
As someone said, it is also important to get them fitted properly.

Kezzie200 · 17/02/2022 13:37

I have varifocals but still take them off for close reading as my short sight is pretty good. Although my prescription generally are -4s with astigmatism, like you.

I didn't get on with my first pair from Vision Express but have done with my two Specsavers pairs.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 17/02/2022 13:54

I've tried varifocals with Specsavers 3 x now, they simply cannot seem to get the pupil distance correct. I'm going to Boots next time where they have a machine which measures it so is more accurate.

I won't use Specsavers now after being told I need to lower my expectations, I told them I expect to be able to see when wearing glasses and have the field of vision in the correct place. They changed my glasses to long distance and near but I do really need variofolcals.

Original poster
clare8allthepies · 17/02/2022 16:41

Well they said to come right in. The assistant checked them on a machine and said that the lenses were spot on for the prescription. She tried a couple of adjustments to the frames but it didn’t improve matters.

She said that I could try them for a while longer to see if things got better (and said that I had 3 months to return them) but agreed that it wouldn’t help if I was swapping back and forth between them and I would have to as I wouldn’t have been happy driving in them. She said that maybe varifocals weren’t for me and I’ve agreed to get the lenses replaced with single vision distance lenses. They’ve also refunded me the £130 that I paid for the varifocal bit without me having to even ask.

Thanks all for the advice.

OP posts:
mdh2020 · 17/02/2022 16:45

It sounds to me as if you need to have the prescription checked. There also seems to be a bit of a common thread running through the replies here. I have worn varifocals from a private optician for years with no problems.

TheSmallAssassin · 17/02/2022 16:54

I went back a few times with mine and now love them. I had the "they are spot on with the prescription" but it turned out that my eye test hadn't got the prescription right (I'd gone down another -1 and the optician didn't believe her measurements...)
They can also get the levels wrong. If the distance prescription isn't correct for whatever reason, no amount of "getting used to them" will help, either you can see properly when you look through the top of the lens or you can't!

Custardpudding · 21/02/2022 21:05

I’ve had a recheck and they said the prescription is right. I’ve had a refund and ordered computer distance new lenses so hoping they are a bit broader than reading ones.
I paid too price for my spec savers and they just weren’t good enough: I do think when I’m next due I will try a private smaller optician and hope they will be better

Custardpudding · 21/02/2022 21:05

*top price

DetailMouse · 21/02/2022 21:07

When I got my first pair it was like magic. I know some people find the transition difficult to get used to but the actual.vision should be good from the start. I'd go back.

Houseplantmad · 21/02/2022 21:09

My husband hates his and took ages to get used to them but he persevered. He thinks they've actually totally wrecked his sight, particularly for close work, and he can't see anything without them. Before he had okay sight without them.

Jessicabrassica · 21/02/2022 21:11

I love mine - I can watch telly and read my phone at the same time. I've spent 2 years listening to the tv whilst sewing/ doodling/ looking things up because I couldn't see close up with my glasses on and couldn't see the telly without .. .

I was very concerned about blurring in my peripheral vision when driving so I paid for expensive lenses. I think it was worth it.

I'm sorry you've not had the same experience.

gogohm · 21/02/2022 21:12

Fine are rubbish, still can't see my phone

Oblomov22 · 21/02/2022 21:21

I'm worried about this. I probably need them, but I know that for many they just don't work.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 22/02/2022 08:23

@Oblomov22

I'm worried about this. I probably need them, but I know that for many they just don't work.
They usually sell them with a guarantee if they don't work for you,it's something that needs to be discussed beforehand obviously.
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