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 wear mine all the time and haven't had any issues with the computer or anything else. Optician said they would take a few days to get used to but they didn't, they were fine within minutes for all purposes.

I'm using the computer glasses for screen work as with the vari I would either need to be very closed to the screen or quite far away.

To be fair, boots are correct - with varifocals you get what you pay for.

The more expensive the lens, the wider the clear corridor of vision.

I got varifocals a year ago and it became clear very fast that they don't really work for more than a short bit of reading like a restaurant menu, bit on the phone or anything similar.

I went back to the optian who is absolutely amazing and they checked the whole thing.
They think my frame is too small to be usable for 7 hours computer work. DH has varifocals for years and can work on a laptop with no issues and his frame is a lot bigger.

I moved then to a pair of reading glasses for work and longer stretches of reading plus my varifocals for day to day life.

But - it is worth spending money on varifocals if you can afford it, the difference between the lenses is massive.

I’m long sighted. I have some glasses that the optician calls ‘occupational glasses’ that are supposed to be for computer work. To be honest, I find my off the peg reading glasses are just as good

I have worn varifocals for years. No probs with computer work. But, some years back l did have one pair of glasses, that really didn’t work for me.

I've worn varifocals for years.I use my pc at home daily and never had a problem. I'd never order them online as they do need to be measured and fitted properly otherwise you won't benefit.
I find bigger frames better as my optician advised.

Edited for spelling mistake.

I have varifocals and use them at work all the time on the computer. DH couldn't get used to his at all and got rid! I persevered like the opticians advised, and after around 2-3 weeks it all seemed fine!

I have just checked with DH who has had them for years and his experience is the same as @DappledThings . We both went to Specsavers for our last tests a couple of years ago and DH got some new glasses which were considerably cheaper than our local opticians. He has been pleased with them.

They did suggest to me that bifocals or verifocals might be an option but on the basis I don't need glasses all the time I declined. I've got some reading glasses and separate distance glasses which I need for watching tv, driving, going to the theatre or football etc. When I was working I had glasses that I could use for reading and computer - the optician called them 'office glasses'. I still use them if I'm doing anything on the laptop as neither my reading glasses or distance glasses are suitable. I do get fed up with taking two lots of glasses around with me so I might consider different option in the future.

I got updated varifocal lenses in my existing glasses last year from vision express and had exact same issue not being able to see my laptop properly but the other two sections were fine. I went back in for another eye test/lens check. What it turned out to be is that you can two different sizes in your middle bit (if that makes sense) and I was supposed to get a wide enough one cause I use three screens and they had put in the narrower version accidentally. Once that got fixed the glasses worked perfectly.

Adding to previous comments (afterthought). OP, it sounds to me that the positioning of the change in the lenses (layperson’s term) is not correctly aligned.

ln addition, distortion, particularly at the sides, can occur. If you can afford it, it is better to go for the top quality lenses (l accept the OP might have already done this), maybe going cheaper on the frames.

Opticians can get it wrong.

Definitely go for the best you can afford for your first pair. Varis can be difficult to get used to so the better the lens the easier. Ive been wearing them for near on 30 years and now Ive gone down a grade ( and price ) as Im not on a screen all day anymore.

For me its all about being able to see clearly when driving, thats the most important thing for me. Its also when I know I need to go back, distance is becoming difficult

My varifocals are fine for distance and computer work.
Bloody useless for reading books, kindle, phone.
Am due an eye test and hoping to get something better.

Varifocals require very precise measuring and fitting. They take a while to get used to, my first pair took a fortnight and each subsequent pair a few days. I wear them all the time and have no issues with using a computer. In fact the optician said the midline vision was great for computer use. I would suggest having a pair properly measured and fitted by an optician. I use Specsavers and they’re excellent.

I've had varifocals for a while now and use them for everything including being at a computer all day.

They took a couple of weeks to get use to but apart from that, I've not had any issues.

I do get mine from a local opticians who do all the correct measurements.

That's the main benefit of mine. I am shortsighted so for sustained reading of a book I can take off my glasses and hold the page close to my eyes, but I need the middle vision for screen work.

I've had varifocals for years and they are fine for everything. I didn't even really have any of the problems getting used to them that people often describe. They cost a fortune though. My spares don't have quite such expensive lenses in and I can tell the difference. I also think I have a very good optician. One of the eye doctors at the local hospital told me that that's where he and most of his colleagues go for their own glasses so I thought that was a pretty good recommendation and I've never been disappointed.
I do now find that for really close up work I need to take my glasses off but it's only occasional, like threading a needle or reading really tiny print so the optician said she didn't think it was worth changing a prescription that otherwise works really well for me. But otherwise they are great and I am not even consciously aware that I use different parts of the lenses for different things. So it is possible but I think you need a skilled professional to help you get the right lens and frame combination and, unfortunately, fairly deep pockets. I only had my distance prescription put in my sunglases as I mostly use them for driving and I baulked at the cost of another pair of varifocals but it was a false economy and next time I go I'm going to get them changed. I'm normally a bit stingy about spending on most things to be honest but have come to the conclusion that glasses are one thing where it's really worth buying the best I can afford.

I had the opposite problem with my varifocals, couldn't see for distance unless my head was right down looking out of the very top.

You should be able to look straight ahead and focus

Mine have gone back as they put the distance vision too high in the lens

Hello all, and many thanks for all the further advice.

I have two further questions, arising out of the above.

Since I'll now need to get a different pair of glasses for (i) TV and (ii) iPad combined use, would it make more sense for me to just get bifocals? Distance at the top and reading at the bottom?

Also, if I did get a different pair of varifocals, and only intended to use them as above (i.e. TV plus iPad in the evening) would the distortion at the sides that is often a feature of less expensive varifocals be likely to be an issue? Or is that only a problem if using them for general distance sight outside the house?

Thanks again all :)

With big enough frames you shouldn't be getting distortion. The only "trouble" I have with varifocals and it is possibly cos I really cant see without them, is I have to stop at give ways and actually turn myself to get a good view, cant look out the sides

OP, l have responded up thread. Looking at your further comments, any pair of glasses are only as good as the initial test assessment and the prescribed lens.

Why not have a conversation with your optician and, belt and braces here, pop into another optician and have a general chat?

Regardless of whether it’s a chain or an independent, any optician is only as good as the people who are working in that particular branch.

Do you have 3 prescriptions. One for distance/tv, one for computer screen distance and one for reading/iPad when held at book distance? If so did the varifocals you ordered have all 3 prescriptions in them or just two the distance and reading prescriptions? That might explain why they didn’t work at computer distance.
Depending on what you want them for varifocals with just the prescriptions for computer distance and reading distance can be really good - sometimes called office focals or occupational focals - as they allow you to work on screen through the top section and still read or write something on the desk.
Also if you have an astigmatism it would help to have any varifocals fitted properly.

I have varifocals, that have a high prescription and have distance, computer and reading in them. I went to Asda Opticians who have the cheapest prices on the market as I was quoted from Boots and Vision Express and needed the highest priced lenses due to my prescription, they quoted over £300, plus extra for a tint, anti scratch, anti glare and thinning the lenses.

Asda £49.99 including all the extras.

I've since been back and bought prescription sun glasses, had another eye test and bought another 4 pairs of glasses, sometimes I buy from the more expensive range but the budget range has some really lovely frames.

Also no distortion at the edges, the prescription goes to the edge of the frame, so I can look out the corner of my eye and see just as clearly as I can from the front (hope that makes sense)

They really know what they are doing and make sure that your different prescriptions are matched up to your pupils so you can use each section without too much hassle.

They are brilliant for adjustments, issues and problems.

It's not advisable to order varifocal lenses on line as they need to see where your pupils sit inside the lenses to be able to match up the different lenses in the glasses.

Interesting thread.
I am looking at getting some varifocals to use for reading music. I play in several bands/groups so ideally need to see the band leader as well as the music.
I did try a pair of varifocals a couple of years back and had to return them.
Are varifocals ok for reading music (mixed views online) or occupational glasses a better bet?
I have been recommended Asda opticians as well...

I have varifocal lenses and never have any problem to use them everyday. I use a computer at work for 95 % of my work with no issue.