Should I bother with varifocals ?

[667TheNeighbourOfTheBeast]

I’ve been for my two yearly eye test today and as I’m in my late 50s it’s changed a bit. I had previously been just using glasses for reading, needlework and laptop. But I had recently noticed that if I sit in my usual spot the furthest seat away from the TV sometimes things aren’t as clear like faces etc. This is easily solved by moving to the other end of the sofa! I mentioned this to the optician today and they suggested varifocals, but I’ve just seen the price plus as I don’t need them for driving(I don’t drive much and apparently my I passed the legal test for eyesight)
So would I still be able to just use the prescription to get reading glasses ? Sorry if this is a stupid question. I also just use my reading or near glasses for the laptop so was actually thinking maybe just Bifocals would be fine even though they will make me look like an old crone! Not really that fussed as I’m only wearing them at home. I’m also concerned that having to just move my eyes and not my head is going to be weird, this is what I’ve read you need to do with varifocals, I can’t help thinking that varifocals are pushed out because they cost more. Would like to know what anyone else thinks please.

Asda do varifocals for £45 complete (with their cheapest frames). I've had them for years, they're probably not as good as the expensive lenses, but they're fine for me. You can take your own prescription in.

I love my varifocals after months of trying to swap glasses for different things. I got mine from Boots and they didn’t break the bank

I too get my varifocals from Asda, work well and I have a complex lens ! You can get 2 pairs , so give them a try !

@maximist thank you for that I didn’t even know Asda did glasses.
@Thatsmorethanhalf thank you for that I only have a very small Boots store near me but I think you can get Advantage card points on Boots glasses too.

I got mine today actually and they are excellent - expensive but good. They said it might take a while to get used to them but I have had no difficulties at all - whether driving, out and about or in my office at the computer/screen. I also got a different pair for very close computer work at the same time but I am not sure those are really needed now (total bill was just under £1000!)

Vari focals are three lenses combined distance , intermediate and reading .

for many they are fantastic .. the research goes into varifocals not bi focals so you will get a better quality of lenses with a vari.

Please give Asda a try, i've just bought my 7th pair of varifocals with them. When I think at how much money i have spent over the years at other opticians I could cry😭

I use them in the main. They're great if you go for the most expensive or the one down from that, but the cheaper end ones are rubbish, as the field of vision is narrow. The first pair I had, I binned and got separates. So be prepared to spend £200.

@ToWonderWhyIBother I know, glasses are so expensive, do Asda do a money back guarantee if you don’t get on with them ?
Also just wondered if anyone had bought varifocals online ? Specsavers told me they didn’t do that as it required a consultation with one of their staff.

I got my vairifocals about 4 months ago and I've never looked back (no pun intended!)

My distance vision is such a mild prescription that I wasn't going to bother, but it just saves me constantly taking my reading glasses on and off. I also got the Polaroid lens so they double up as sunglasses.

They were expensive but luckily I was able to claim half the cost back through work.

If you decide to go with varifocals get them from Asda. Age related changes happen over some years and I regretted paying top notch for my first pair as the prescription changed within 2 years.

Wouldn't be without my varifocals but I can't see diddly squat without them at any distance!

Thanks everyone for your replies.
@slopsan yes that’s the problem isn’t it when it’s age related the prescription changed every couple of years and it’s a huge amount of money.

Sorry the delay was away for a few days. Yes Asda do have a guarantee that if you can't get on with the varifocals they will give you normal glasses for the price you have paid. They don't usually recommend you get varifocals on line as they need to see you in the glasses to put the different marks on the different prescriptions, these are usually checked twice before sending off, and also can be tweaked if you can't get used to them, but would be too difficult to do with an online retailer.