Eyesight

[Verbena17]

Hi - quick query about options for my mid-40’s eyesight.
At my last test 2 yrs ago, I need glasses for driving (ordered some cheap prescription ones online- they’re not good and make me feel funny and I can’t easily switch vision from the road ahead to dashboard numbers).

Then I have prescription reading glasses for all close up stuff but the newest /strongest prescription I don’t use, as they’re heavy on my nose, so I’ve been using my older prescription lighter weight ones and also my super light weight ones from about 3 prescriptions ago 😂.

My distance vision is getting worse but I can still see to do everyday stuff, but wouldn’t be able to recognise someone across the road necessarily.

A friend suggested I try multifocal contacts but I’ve read they can cause halos & blurring at night. I’ve never had contacts at all and do get hay fever from end of Feb through to June/July so I have weepy, itchy eyes a lot .

I want as minimal fuss as possible and don’t really want to be swapping glasses all the time.

Any solutions that are a good option?

A proper pair of multifocals would be my suggestion. Not cheap online ones, you need a proper eye test at an optometrist. It sounds like your distance vision is fairly bad (sympathies, mine has been rubbish for decades!). You should get eye tests every year, not just for changing vision but to show other conditions.

ETA I agree about avoiding contacts, too much hassle! Just glasses with light frames. I use Specsavers (I'm in Australia) and have always had good results from them.

Here in uk we have an appointment sent every 2 years i think. Although I guess it’s all private so could go annually.

I have opted to pay a fiver extra for the hospital grade scan thingy.
having them tested this week.

Im worried that multifocal glasses will make me fall downstairs and go dizzy.
do you think I’ll get used to them?

Oh hell yeah, you'll get used to them. I wore distance glasses from when I was 16 (when the lenses were actual glass, in metal frames - now they were heavy!) and had to go to multifocals in probably my fifties. They do adustments and measurements when you get the test, to assess how you hold your head and where the glasses sit on your face (this is after you choose your frames, of course - you need to pick a fairly deep pair to allow enough room) so you're only making minimal changes to where you look through them. Like any new specs, you'll have to adjust to them, but I find it only takes a few days. Mine are a bit different because I have astigmatism as well as being short sighted and no longer having clear close vision, so I soon know if the glasses aren't right.

Here in uk we have an appointment sent every 2 years i think.

if everything is stable, 2 years is fine - but if you've noticed changes in your prescription or any problems, it's fine to go sooner.

I wear multi focal contact lenses. They’re brilliant. I change to glasses in the evening as my eyes seem to get tired. They cost a lot more though than normal contact lenses. £45 a month.

I've just got my first pair of prescription glasses at 64 and it took me around three weeks to get used to multifocal glasses, but I'm fine with them now.

Thanks - can i ask which brand you use? A friend sent me a photo of their brand and they’re £30 for 15 pairs

Also, when I’m out walking the dog for example or shopping, I don’t feel i need glasses for distance yet - just that I can’t see well enough to read labels on things