Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Varifocals for the first time

17 replies

Enko · 03/11/2024 00:08

I picked up my first pair of varifocals today and my eyes are sore I only had them on for a few hours.

.the optician said it can take a while to adjust. I will admit they are amazing in the clarity but right now I'm sat with my old glasses to feel more relaxed.

For those of you who has varifocals how long did it take you to adjust?
In case it's relevant. Mine are mostly for reading I have a 0.5 for long vision but reading has become so bad now I can't read the cars smaller letters so it was time to change.

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 03/11/2024 00:13

Yeah, it does take a few days to adjust. You need to get used to looking through the top part for distance and the bottom part for reading. It’s fine to leave them off altogether at home and build up gradually.

HalloweenHaribo · 03/11/2024 00:13

I was exactly the same in that I mostly needed them for reading.

Got my first pair of varifocals about 6 years ago and couldn't get on with them at all, in fact I used to swap back to my reading glasses a lot.

Then I tried again about 18 months ago and the difference is amazing, they're absolutely perfect!

I can only assume the first pair weren't entirely correct for my prescription.

Give it a few weeks and then take them back if they're still not right. This is what I should have done.

Skinnylegend · 03/11/2024 00:14

Can't offer advice, but am following with interest. Just bought first varifocals, at huge cost and they are driving me mad. Feels like my vision is constantly blurry, esp close up. I have 30 days to return them if I can't get used to them and I'm already thinking they might have to go!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
adriftinadenofvipers · 03/11/2024 00:14

I still struggle with mine and I've had them for about 12 years!!

HeddaGarbled · 03/11/2024 00:16

Feels like my vision is constantly blurry

Probably looking through the wrong part of the lens. Move your head up or down.

T4phage · 03/11/2024 00:19

I've had them for years and I hate them. I have difficulty seeing the ground properly without distortion and I also have dyspraxia so I'm prone to falling over as it is. The lenses don't help and I have to concentrate hard when walking outside.

I can't see my crafting work properly either. The only thing that's okay is driving.

Original poster
Enko · 03/11/2024 00:19

Makes me oddly relieved that others have struggled. I wore the. Watching tv this evening while knitting and I can really get how they can become great. But oh my eyes are weary.

OP posts:
Original poster
Enko · 03/11/2024 09:18

@Skinnylegend I would go back w that. My vision is not blurry close up. I can see really clearly

@T4phage I struggle with walking and looking down too and I held back on varifocals due to this. I have stembrain migraines that mostly comes through as dizziness/vertigo and I worried this would set them off. I am very aware there but I think (Hope)I can get used to it.

OP posts:
friendconcern · 03/11/2024 09:20

I struggled for a day or two but wouldn’t go back now. You just get used to moving your head not your eyes.

Rocknrollstar · 03/11/2024 09:24

Sorry but I have never struggled with varifocals. In fact when I first got them it was so easy to wear them that I thought I was doing something wrong.However, they have to be prescribed by a very good optician who measures where the lines between the lenses go very carefully. Also, they do not work in small frames. You shouldn’t have to move your head to look through the correct part of the lens. There are different quality lenses - obviously you pay more for the better ones.

AnnaMagnani · 03/11/2024 09:30

I love my varifocals but it took me about a fortnight to get used to the first pair, slowly building up from my old glasses.

Sethera · 03/11/2024 09:31

It took me about a day.

Oblomov24 · 03/11/2024 09:32

I hated the pair I had, couldn't get used to them at all, and haven't tried again since. I should.

DangerMouseAndPenfoldx · 03/11/2024 09:39

This thread is worrying me!

I went to the optician last week to get new reading glasses. They were adamant that I should get varifocals, even though I will only be using them for reading and for the computer.

We eventually ended up compromising on something that I think were called “task based” but I didn’t realise until I got home and looked them up that they are still varifocal.

They also cost a fortune! £300+ compared to my reading glasses that were 2 for £100.

Pureshores499 · 03/11/2024 09:53

I absolutely hated them at first, as did my DH! I couldn't get used to them at all. DH gave up after a week and went back to his old ones. I persevered, and it took about 3 weeks for me to adjust and now I absolutely love them! No perching my glasses on the end of my nose if someone at work comes to chat etc, I just look up and can see them perfectly. You will definitely get used to them just give it a few weeks. At first I kept looking up and down and adjusting my head etc 😂 but now I don't even think about it, it becomes automatic.

Original poster
Enko · 03/11/2024 09:58

Rocknrollstar · 03/11/2024 09:24

Sorry but I have never struggled with varifocals. In fact when I first got them it was so easy to wear them that I thought I was doing something wrong.However, they have to be prescribed by a very good optician who measures where the lines between the lenses go very carefully. Also, they do not work in small frames. You shouldn’t have to move your head to look through the correct part of the lens. There are different quality lenses - obviously you pay more for the better ones.

Mine are from a really good.optician too and I never go.for the basic lenses.

OP posts:
adriftinadenofvipers · 03/11/2024 19:22

Rocknrollstar · 03/11/2024 09:24

Sorry but I have never struggled with varifocals. In fact when I first got them it was so easy to wear them that I thought I was doing something wrong.However, they have to be prescribed by a very good optician who measures where the lines between the lenses go very carefully. Also, they do not work in small frames. You shouldn’t have to move your head to look through the correct part of the lens. There are different quality lenses - obviously you pay more for the better ones.

I've always bought good quality too, and go to an excellent optician. I'd never dream of going somewhere like Specsavers! I just got new lenses fitted in my existing frames and the lenses alone were around £300. I've just never really got the hang of them! I still take my glasses off for close work! Maybe I will finally get used to them when my near vision deteriorates more 😢

New posts on this thread. Refresh page