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Original poster

Should I ditch the varifocals?

56 replies

stbrandonsboat · 03/07/2023 22:22

I'm on my second pair of varifocals. Can't say I'm impressed with them, but never used to do much reading or close work, so kind of got away with them.

I'm -7 and have astigmatism. The trouble is, I'm now doing some studying, cross stitch and music and I can't see 😭 I hate these lenses. I can only see distance. Should I just get distance glasses and a pair for reading and close work?

Anybody have a similar experience? I have an eye test booked for this Wednesday.

OP posts:
Original poster
stbrandonsboat · 03/07/2023 23:11

Carpediem15 · 03/07/2023 23:09

Get yourself a good magnifying glass on a stick. 😋 I have to have one to read the instructions on anything like pasta packets as these days they put the instructions on things in the smallest print ever no matter what.

Show quote history

Yes, I've noticed this. They also write the instructions etc. in virtually the same colour as the background, so I can't differentiate at all.

OP posts:
willowstar · 03/07/2023 23:12

I have been in varifocal contact lenses for a few years now but need to wear glasses more to maintain my eye health. I tried varifocal glasses about two years ago and I absolutely hated them, just couldn't get on with them at all. They were not cheap, about £600 I think.

Anyway, I decided I needed to just get on and try again. A few weeks ago I got a new pair and it is a completely different experience. My new lenses are top of the range Nikon. What a difference. I was able to wear them immediately pretty much. I am so glad I gave them another go. They were super expensive (in my view) at about £800 for lenses and frames, but they are excellent.

Original poster
stbrandonsboat · 03/07/2023 23:13

Not being able to see close up is causing me cognitive problems too because I'm so busy trying to actually see the musical notation and words that my brain is concentrating on that rather than just getting on with performing the musical task at hand. It's really stressing me out and I feel as though I'm thick.

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Original poster
stbrandonsboat · 03/07/2023 23:15

Oh gosh, I couldn't afford all that 😢

OP posts:
BunnyBettChetwynd · 03/07/2023 23:15

Even if your reading bit of your glasses ever did work, if these are 18 months old then your prescription has probably changed. When did you last have your eyes tested?

Tilllly · 03/07/2023 23:18

I get on fine with varifocals

But one time, they were awful for reading
When they checked, part of the prescription was wrong (something to do with + and a -)

Might that be the case? It doesn't sound as if you are struggling with varifocals, but rather the prescription isn't right.

Seeingadistance · 03/07/2023 23:18

Carpediem15 · 03/07/2023 23:09

Get yourself a good magnifying glass on a stick. 😋 I have to have one to read the instructions on anything like pasta packets as these days they put the instructions on things in the smallest print ever no matter what.

Show quote history

I take photos of instructions, labels etc, then enlarge.

I've tried varifocals twice now, and just can't get on with them at all. I have distance glasses, which I really just need in the car, and loads of cheap reading glasses.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 03/07/2023 23:20

Grimbelina · 03/07/2023 22:25

I think it depends what quality varifocal you have, especially with a prescription like yours. I have more expensive ones and the vision was perfect from the moment I put them on, I never had to get used to them. My husband ordered cheaper ones and is struggling with them...

I had the same experience at Specsavers, utterly useless , went to Boots and they were fantastic, took a day to get used to them and couldn't do without them now. Pay as much as you can afford,it's worth it .

Original poster
stbrandonsboat · 03/07/2023 23:20

I had them tested 18 months ago and they never did really work. When I was given the reading test in the shop I told the worker that I couldn't read it and they were sent back for readjustment. When I picked them up a second time I couldn't tell if they were any better tbh, so I just took them. I didn't read, do cross stitch or do music back then so it didn't seem to matter. I struggled with labels, but just assumed that it was due to the tiny lettering.

OP posts:
Original poster
stbrandonsboat · 03/07/2023 23:23

I got them from Specsavers. The distance part is fine.

OP posts:
Bobcat123 · 03/07/2023 23:23

I have distance contact lenses and a pair of readers for close work. Can you try that?

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 03/07/2023 23:25

Actually I've heard Asda varifocals are good but honestly I would suggest going to Boots, they are fantastic compared to Specsavers lenses couldn't see a bloody thing in the specsavers ones,they were awful!

Original poster
stbrandonsboat · 03/07/2023 23:25

Bobcat123 · 03/07/2023 23:23

I have distance contact lenses and a pair of readers for close work. Can you try that?

I can't wear contact lenses as I have a damaged cornea in my right eye.

OP posts:
Original poster
stbrandonsboat · 03/07/2023 23:27

I have heard Asda are good. I don't know what to do as I can't afford the more expensive ones. I don't think two pairs would be too bad though. I can just stick the readers in my bag.

OP posts:
RoaryMouth · 03/07/2023 23:31

I had my previous varifocals from Boots and current ones from specsavers. I only went to specsavers as was quickest appointment I could get but i really rated them and took my son there for his specs too. I pay for the best lenses they do . And game changer was getting a free second pair of varifocal sunglasses.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 03/07/2023 23:31

stbrandonsboat · 03/07/2023 23:27

I have heard Asda are good. I don't know what to do as I can't afford the more expensive ones. I don't think two pairs would be too bad though. I can just stick the readers in my bag.

I wore 2 pairs for about 2 years before going to varifocals. I think asda ones are very reasonable though from what I've read.

Carpediem15 · 03/07/2023 23:34

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 03/07/2023 23:25

Actually I've heard Asda varifocals are good but honestly I would suggest going to Boots, they are fantastic compared to Specsavers lenses couldn't see a bloody thing in the specsavers ones,they were awful!

I had a dreaful experience with Asda, when I got the glasses, I thought they had given me someone elses. I told them I was not going to pay and wanted another optician to sort it out and eventually they did sort it but wasn't happy. We lived in Asia part time and had the best ones ever from Vietnam but unfortunately can't go there now.
I have now been recommended to go to an independent optician in my town when I have my cataracts done which I am going to do.

UsingChangeofName · 03/07/2023 23:38

I don't think you need to pay £800 for good quality @stbrandonsboat
I mean, a lot will depend on your prescription, but mine (which I am finding excellent) were from Specsavers. Including the eye test, and - there was a choice of either having a free 2nd pair, or having reactalight in the lens - I still only paid £305 for mine.
As I say, different prescriptions will vary I presume, but I'd be surprised if they had to go up that high.

BunnyBettChetwynd · 03/07/2023 23:43

My prescription is very similar to OPs and it makes for very thick lenses. It's the thinning of the lenses which costs so much. My recent pair cost £400 just for the lenses. They're from Boots.

peucepetunias · 03/07/2023 23:46

I can only speak from my own experience.

I started with varifocals after the menopause when my eyes became too dry for contact lenses.

I was extremely short-sighted with astigmatism and they were fine.

Now I find I can read better in bed by taking them off. My optician says that is a normal consequence of age as, apparently, we become more long-sighted as we get older.

My husband has 2 pairs of glasses distance/close and is always mislaying them, or getting to a restaurant and finding he has the wrong pair and can't read the menu.

OP I would go back to your optician for advice.

Dorkwillow · 03/07/2023 23:59

I worked in Specsavers a few years back, you really do get what you pay for with varis! The higher up the price scale you go the wider your field of vision will be, plus with your prescription you’ll feel the difference more too. Off the shelf reading glasses will do nothing for you as you have an astigmatism, I know people cringe at them but would you consider a bifocal? It’s easier to adjust to as you can see exactly where you’re meant to look through for your close up tasks. If you’re going back to Specsavers last I knew before I finished you could get a 2 for 1 offer and get 1 pair just for distance and pay for the bifocal lens in the other pair.. might be your best value option!

Original poster
stbrandonsboat · 04/07/2023 00:10

Dorkwillow · 03/07/2023 23:59

I worked in Specsavers a few years back, you really do get what you pay for with varis! The higher up the price scale you go the wider your field of vision will be, plus with your prescription you’ll feel the difference more too. Off the shelf reading glasses will do nothing for you as you have an astigmatism, I know people cringe at them but would you consider a bifocal? It’s easier to adjust to as you can see exactly where you’re meant to look through for your close up tasks. If you’re going back to Specsavers last I knew before I finished you could get a 2 for 1 offer and get 1 pair just for distance and pay for the bifocal lens in the other pair.. might be your best value option!

I am wondering about bifocals. I'll have to speak to them on Wednesday.

OP posts:
PickAChew · 04/07/2023 00:17

DH has a similar prescription to you and has varifocals as his primary pair and a second pair just for cpu use, which would be a similar distance to you from your sheet music.

Mine is completely different. Strong astigmatism and slightly longsighted so day to day tasks like shopping and cooking are very difficult without varifocals. I have prescription reading glasses for close work but they feel quite claustrophobic because if I look up, everything around me is blurred.

margegunderson · 04/07/2023 00:21

My previous specsavers pair weren't right - I couldn't read recipe books on the book stand or music. I took them back and the point where distance blended into close was in the wrong place. Once they redid them they were fine

Tornado70 · 04/07/2023 00:23

I have -10.5, astigmatism and a retinal problem.
my latest varifocals are from specsavers and are excellent.
But it took them 8 attempts to get them correct!
It was a problem with the different brand of lenses they selected each time. I refused to accept them every time.
Eventually I just insisted I had exactly the same brand, thickness, prescription etc as my previous pair.
I am going to try somewhere else next time I replace them.
I would certainly advice not to accept them next time until they get them correct.