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Original poster

Varifocals - how long to get used to them?? Panicking!

42 replies

PunishmentRoundupWithJoon · 18/05/2022 15:07

I've been told I need varifocals. Had the option of one pair of varifocals or seperate distance/reading glasses. Was persuaded to go with varifocals as you're forever searching for your reading glasses and it's a pain. I've heard differing opinions on how long it takes to get used to them and I'm dreading the 'settling in' period! Can't bear the thought of weeks of misjudging distance or not being able to focus on reading/the computer/whatever....

Can anyone with varifocals let me know your experience with them? How long did it take to get used to them? Do you ever wish you'd gone with separate pairs? For those with two pairs, can you read at all with your distance glasses?

I have so many questions!

OP posts:

IanOsenfrote · 18/05/2022 15:10

I've never really got on with my varifocals. I would much rather remove my normal glasses for close-up stuff and put them back on for distance stuff, rather than wear my varifocals.

SpringSparrow · 18/05/2022 15:15

They didn’t take me long to get used at all, but I bought a top of the range pair. I think it’s worth getting the best you can afford and you need to make sure that the measurements correct. Actually I remember that one pair of mine were slightly wrong and I had to go back and they checked the measurements and sent them back to be altered. I got mine from Specsavers and found they had good customer service, some sort of no quibble guarantee. I am shortsighted and can still read well without my glasses on so if I was just wearing a distance pair I would take them off to read. If I’m just wearing distance ones I find it hard to see the instrument panel when I’m driving.

JennyAct3 · 18/05/2022 15:16

I got used to mine straightaway, as in the same as normal glasses. I was told some people need time to adjust but it wasn’t the case for me.

Re your question as to whether people can read anything with their distance glasses obviously that will depend on their prescription. My prescription is -3.50 in both eyes and I know with normal glasses (non varifocals) I can’t read a menu or the car dashboard without a lot of squinting and guesswork.

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Yarnasaurus · 18/05/2022 15:18

It took me ages, weeks to get over feeling nauseous and swimmy, months to feel properly comfortable in them when moving about. But, for me, I really do need to constantly flit between close, middle, and further distance so I stuck with them. I'm 2 years in now and am really glad I did.

hattie43 · 18/05/2022 15:21

I hated varifocals and now have to juggle 2 pairs of glasses but at least I can see.

JaneJeffer · 18/05/2022 15:30

My first pair I got used to straight away. The ones I have now are ok but I can't wear them when I'm walking!

macshoto · 18/05/2022 15:32

A few days / maybe a week. Did go for top of the line lenses.

WillMySofaEverArrive · 18/05/2022 15:35

Buy the best quality lenses you can afford, they have the largest reading area so less distortion at the edges. You just need to practice moving your head up and down (like a nodding dog) to see/change between distance, intermediate & near vision, rather than your eyes.

I’ve heard someone say the best advice they were given was to run up and down stairs wearing them to help them get used to them quicker but that sounds a bit risky so I’d keep a hand on the bannister if you intend to try that.

clarrylove · 18/05/2022 15:36

A few hours for the first pair, no issues with the second. Again, I went for the premium ones. Different issue with my sunglasses though. New immediately they weren't right but was persuaded to take them away and give them a good go. Ended up taking them back, turns out the measurements were a bit off, so they made me a new pair. Still not as good vision as my specs though.

Forestdweller11 · 18/05/2022 15:37

My first pair I got on with straight away (my dads varifocals made him feel sick though). My second pair i hate. I think the varifocal line is in the wrong place, I went for the second cheapest option, and probably should have paid extra for the wider banding lenses. I routinely remove them for close up work.

etulosba · 18/05/2022 15:38

No time at all. I got used to them as soon as I put them on.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 18/05/2022 15:42

Used to be an optician assistant - we advised a getting used to period of 1-2 weeks. If you didn’t click with them after that time, and some people don’t, then you probably won’t get used to them.
you don’t HAVE to have varifocals! It’s just that most people prefer to have one pair of glasses to find/lose. Fwiw I wear varifocals for work/ daily use, but swap to readers for phone use/some hobbies/ reading. I also have a mid distance pair for playing my flute, and swap to distance ones if going for a walk. - we are all different and have different needs. Just make sure you are told what the returns policy is and if they will swap lenses from varifocals to single vision or bifocals if that’s what you want.

Peckhampalace · 18/05/2022 15:43

A few days each time. New pair collected on Friday and now adjusted, but I have had them before.
I did have a driving experience that scared me a bit ages after I had had them and eventually realised I had been tired and was sitting down a bit in my seat. Once I sat up properly and looked through the right bit of the lens I was fine.
For me they have worked fine, and I am glad I am not forever looking for the other pair

Carrotmum · 18/05/2022 15:45

I put off getting varifocals for quite some time as I was worried about adjusting to them as I am extremely short sighted -12 prescription at that time. I don’t find many people who spend more money on lenses than I do, and I have an extremely experienced optician, who is contracted to do a lot of work that hospital department used to do so I don’t think that cost or the optician is really the issue tbh. It took about 8 weeks for me to get really used to them and I was on the verge of giving up with them, I’m fine with them now and had no period of adjustment when my prescription changed and I needed new varifocals.

Babdoc · 18/05/2022 15:49

Never could get used to them - they make me nauseous to the point of actively retching, it’s rather like travel sickness from the shifting focus. I have 3 pairs of glasses instead - reading, driving and sunglasses for driving. I suspect it’s because I am very long sighted, so the variation is huge.

HelenHywater · 18/05/2022 15:53

I've had one pair and haven't got used to them at all. Have just switched to a better (i.e more expensive pair) to see if they work, but it's likely I'll be one of those people who can't wear them. I just can't read in them although distance is no problem. I think I'll end up being one of those people with 2 pairs. (I wear varifocal contact lenses most of the time which have their own issues).

northernstars · 18/05/2022 16:17

I had no problems adjusting straight away but my husband could never get on with them so went back to bifocals. I now have varifocals for everyday and separate glasses for reading and hobby and sunglasses for driving so it's still a pain in the arse!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 18/05/2022 16:20

I tried ones from specsavers which were awful but I suspected they just weren't fitted properly . I tried my dad's on recently as we have the same prescription and his were lovely! They were from Boots and a better lens.

Movingdreams · 18/05/2022 16:23

My first pair took just a few days to adjust to but the second pair took about 6 weeks.

user1471538283 · 18/05/2022 16:33

I've been wearing varifocals for over 10 years after having many near misses with doors. I just couldnt judge space whilst walking and thought I was going mad/becoming seriously sick.

It took me about a week walking like a baby calf and feeling wobbly. It was hard to judge the ground. It took a further week to be okay with stairs. Oddly enough I was great driving.

After that I was absolutely fine. They really are brilliant!

OccultGnuNew · 18/05/2022 16:35

I picked my first pair of varifocals up about four weeks ago. In some ways I got used to them straight away, in others I'm still getting accustomed.

I find I can wear them no problem when I'm fresh, my eyes seem to automatically find the area that gives me the best sight for what I'm doing.

When I'm tired I don't seem to do this as easily and I have to do the swivel head thing to get to the correct bit of the lens.

I did get the more expensive wider banded lenses to give me a fighting chance of using them properly. And I wouldn't now swap back to separate readers/distance glasses.

JudgeRindersMinder · 18/05/2022 16:42

I took to them like a duck to water! I think what helped me though is I started with them as soon as I needed reading glasses so that wasn’t a massively strong prescription. Been wearing them about 8 years now and despite needing a much stronger reading prescription now I’ve never had any issues

chickensandbees · 18/05/2022 16:45

SpringSparrow · 18/05/2022 15:15

Completely agree with this. I went for a top of the range pair from Specsavers, they were great and said if I didn't get on with them I could return. It was fine as soon as I left the store. It's brilliant for driving a I can now see the dashboard as well as distance and for everything else.

hippolyta · 18/05/2022 16:50

I've tried twice to get used to varifocals. Bought the top of the range best you can get. I hate them and am resigned to having two pairs.
However I don't just have two pairs I actually have at least 6 of each, plus sunglasses. I buy them from Glasses Direct or similar.
There are also old fashioned bifocals which are more pleasant to wear and I have some of those in the car.

ClinkeyMonkey · 18/05/2022 17:36

I was happy in varifocals from the minute I tried them on and walked out of the optician's. I had been told to expect a period of adjustment, but honestly forgot I was wearing them very quickly. I'm on my third prescription for them and wouldn't wear anything else. I couldn't go through any more of that whole glasses swapping and searching for missing glasses business. 'Has anybody seen my glasses?' was my catchphrase for a couple of years! MIL took a while to get used to hers, but she's not complaining anymore, so I assume they're ok now.

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