Do varifocals not work with computer distance?

[Cattymonster]

I could do with urgent advice here if possible please.

TL:DR is - should I be able to use varifocals with computer work, or are they only for distance and reading a book/something on my knee? Have been offered refund.

I've just bought varifocals. So as not to drip feed, Boots tested my eyes and made me 2 pairs of specs: one for combined reading and computer (my prescription has measurements for both), the for other distance. Both are fine. These are my first distance lenses. I've worn reading glasses for years.

I soon decided I'd rather have varifocals as having to swap them over while watching TV and using iPad in evening was driving me mad.

It sounded from what Boots said as though it wasn't worth buying anything except the top end ones, which were very expensive, so I decided I couldn't afford them. Then on here I read about a place that does them online and claims to provide top-end lenses much less expensively. I decided to take a chance.

I've now had them a week and I can't use them. I can't use them with the computer - the words are fuzzy. If I use my Boots reading/computer specs the words are clear. Even extending my neck right back to use the bottom of the varifocal lenses doesn't really find a part of the lens that works properly with computer. They also don't work well with the iPad in the evening.

The problem as far as I can tell, is that almost all,of the lens (seems to me like 80-90%) is set to distance, and only a super-narrow part for reading at the bottom. There doesn't seem to be a gradual fade from one to the other, from top to bottom of lens.

I rang this week and (very long story short) was told this is how varifocals are meant to be, and that I should not expect to be able to use them with computer. I was told a few lucky people manage to find a spot on the kens that works with PC, but that that is just good luck. To me that sounds like bifocals - surely the whole point of varifocals is a graduated lens to cover the three important part in my spectrum of vision? Apparently not, though.

Another long story short is the discussion we had about way forward. They will refund me, which is a relief. However, I would still like varifocals I can use. I've spoke to colleagues at work and they use their varifocals with the computer. I therefore suggested driving over to their base so they could look at them and me. We've agreed this, and they've suggested remaking to replace the reading part with my computer reading prescription instead of my plain reading prescription. So still not a 'graduated' lens in the sense that I understand the word, and more like a bifocal, but hopefully something that will work.

Does this sound right? I don't want to waste time, and if this isn't right I'd rather just take the refund and rethink.

Please help if you can!

I have varifocals for general use but also a separate pair for reading / computer (single vision). This is what Specsavers recommended for me and it works v well. Having said that the vast majority of the time I wear multifuxal contact lenses and I can see very well both bear and far while wearing them. For context my prescription for distance is minus 4.5

I use my varifocals for computer work. It took a while to get used to, but it's fine now.

When I was teaching, I tried varifocals for a short while but found them inadequate for switching between working onscreen, using a text book and addressing the class. I went back to ordinary lenses and the tried and tested method of putting the glasses on top of my head for certain activities (kids were also aware of my habit of leaving them randomly around the room and were always very helpful in alerting me to this). I also found the varifocals useless for driving and considered the experiment with them a sorry waste of money.

I used to be able to wear my varifocals for computer work but as my prescription changed I can't any longer.
I've had to get some mid distance glasses specifically for screen work which I use just for work now.
Then use varifocals for everything else, driving, tv etc.
But I always find it best to read books with no glasses.
I hate it - would love to not have to swap glasses or take them on and off all the bloody time c

I would take the refund and start again with a local optician. I suspect online isn’t the right way to go as I think you need someone to look at you wearing glasses and measure more accurately the way the lens graduates, if that makes sense.

It can be difficult getting this right - I’m in the middle of trying to sort this for myself and I feel your pain with trying to find something that means you can see distances and read / look at phone and look at the compute. I haven’t found the solution yet!

I cant use mine for computer work either

I cant use mine for computer work either

I'm an optometrist and each week I see/speak to someone who isn't getting on with their varifocals which they bought online.
(the other thing I do weekly is deal with issues caused by people buying contacts online and changing the brand they've been fitted with).

You have to physically fit the frame to your face and then take the measurements and then recheck at collection or they don't work.

If you want varifocals, you need to go to an opticians and do it properly. Then you need to make sure that your eye are level with the top of the screen, so that you're using the correct portion of the lens.
My favourite varifocal for my prescription - low plus at distance and higher plus for reading is a Varilux XR, but their other lenses are good too.

I'm like roofhelp. I used to use my varifocals for the computer and they were hopeless. I always ended up straining my neck backwards so that I could see through the right part of the lens (or taking the glasses off and squinting)! I had the same issue when playing the piano.

I now have a separate pair which I use for laptop and piano. They make a huge difference.

I don't use anything to read (shortsighted).

I got mine from Vision express and it took three attempts at getting the placings right and now I wouldn’t be without them. Sometimes I to take off for computer if I’m working close to it but for seeing the car dashboard and distance at the same time they’re amazing.

Thank you very much, all, for the speedy replies. Very much appreciated

I think it sounds best for me to get a refund and get a bifocal or varifocal elsewhere for combination of watching television/reading Mumsnet on iPad, and just use my Boots computer/reading lenses for work.

This is frustrating. Why did they offer the option of buying the blue filter (which I bought) for screen use if I should not have expected to be able to use these lenses with a computer? 🤔

Thank you all again, as this will save me quite a long journey tomorrow after work. I appreciate it

I find it difficult with my varifocals so have computer( also called occupational) glasses when at my desk. You can still see everything with them ( I have forgotten to take them off at the end of the day) just not as sharp.

I have varifocals that are set for computer as their shortest distance, across the table for middle, and driving for long distance so I never have to take them off. If I don’t want to. The choice of frame, and fitting expertise are quite critical to getting it right, I think. I don’t know how they would have achieved this online. I get mine from Specsavers, and they have been brilliant.

My optician who are an independent and very good do two kinds of varifocal lens. One has a long and short area the other has a long mid and short are which is meant for computer type work. They are more expensive and take a little time to get used to but work well.

As it was your first pair of varifocals , going online for them was a big mistake

They really do need to be fitted correctly

Ive been wearing them for the past 30 years and Ive only ever had a problem with one pair. Im as blind as a bat for both distance and near without them. I can drive, read, walk, and use a computer no bother at all

Varis are not cheap, I typically spend £400/£600 every two years

Usually when going for a fitting they measure the distance you read from, view a screen from etc to insure that there is enough lens space to get the graduation . Im so glad fashion has gone back to bigger frames, so much easier to get a good fit

Mr first pair of varifocals were fine. I got used to them quickly and they worked well.

2nd prescription, 2 years later, not so much. Absolutely awful at the computer. I went back to specsavers and after a lot of to and fro, they suggested the same, a second pair for computer work. Now, the computer ones work fine, but it's a right pain swapping between them. If forget and pop out to pick up the kids in the car, i can see well enough, but I'd rather not do that for long distances, and probably couldn't at all in the dark. I didn't feel they really wanted to sort it out, just sell me another pair of glasses.

I'm going to go a different optician for my next pair.

Following with interest

I have varifocals for reading, computer & distance which work fine. But I did get them from my local optician with a full fitting service.
Pricey but worth it

I think the quality of varifocal varies… 😊

I have them and they’re fantastic. There’s 3 viewing areas and your eye moves seamlessly from one to the other, unlike some. They’re perfect for distance/computer/close work and reading.

the downside is that they cost over £600 for one pair of lenses then obviously the cost of frames on top. I went to an independent optician.

Is it better to try expensive ones with a wider field of vision for your first pair of varifocals? Or go for cheaper ones and see how you get on?

I've tried varifocals 3 times from 3 different small independent opticians over the past 20 years or so. None have been any good for computer work. Each time, when I took them back, they made minor changes to the lens, but even the second attempt for each was no better. Luckily all refunded.

I now have to have 3 pairs - distant, close reading and a third for mid-range computer work. As I can't be bothered carrying them all around, I have 2 of each made up, and keep one set at work and the other set at home. A very expensive way of doing it, but varifocals just never worked, so no choice really.

I found with the computer work that the actual "reading" area was so small I had to constantly move my head up and down and left to right to read the screen which caused a lot of neck/back pain. I couldn't hold my head in one position and move my eyes around the screen. That was the deal breaker really.

I won't be wasting my time trying again.

I can see well at every distance with my varifocals - reading, computer and long distance. I have been wearing them for about a decade. Sometimes I find one area of the lens a bit tricky when my prescription changes, but I get used to it over a couple of weeks or so.

I’ve had varifocals for about 5 years now and I’ve never had a problem wearing them for computer work, messing around on my phone, etc. I get them from Specsavers and update every two years. Decent varifocals seem to be getting cheaper as my first pair were £500 but the ones I’ve had for the last couple of months came in at just over £300 for two pairs, including tints etc.

I agree that getting them properly fitted locally is crucial.

Multifocal contact lenses, on the other hand, I could NOT get on with. Only tried them due to having to wear a mask at work during the pandemic and getting fed up of my glasses steaming up, but they gave me blurry vision and massive headaches.

I wear mine for everything, including a lot of computer work. What I have found useful by trial and error is to have quite large frames and spend money on very good lenses. I go to a small independent opticians and they are rigorous about measurements and making sure the frames fit properly.

I wear varifocals, but use a cheap pair of readers for computer work.

The problem with it is that it’s not comparing like with like. The difference between cheap and expensive varifocal lenses is massive.

The first pair I had were from Boots - they were dreadful and I found them unusable. The ones I bought subsequently are more expensive but they are fantastic. Having said that, I think it may be cheaper to buy the more expensive ones though than having to buy 2 different spectacles because the cheaper ones don’t work.