Varifocal lenses in existing glasses

[Globalwalker]

Has anyone replaced their varifocal lenses in a glasses frame successfully, and what opticians did you use?

I am on my second pair of frames for varifocal lenses but I much prefer my first pair. I think I’d like to update the lenses in the original frames but the last time I asked an opticians they were all antsy about them breaking and me losing my money.

The thing is that I have a small/narrow face as far as glass frames are concerned so only suit Petite frames, but these are extraordinarily difficult to find (and kids frames are awful at my age!) and I’d really like to keep this original pair.

I’m not too sure about online opticians as I’d worry about measuring my pupil distance etc accurately myself

Yes, I've done this many times, but always at independent opticians not the big chains. Some independent opticians have machines to scan the shape of your frame so they can order the lenses, so then they don't even need to send your frames off for reglazing. They just swap the lenses over while you wait.

I have had a favourite pair of frames reglazed (with bifocal lenses) at Specsavers. No issues. You do have to remember though that the frames are the cheapest part of the glasses, usually by quite some way.

I think I paid about £80 - £90 for the reglazing, I have bifocal transitions lenses with anti scratch coating, anti glare and some lens thinning.

I wanted to do it because I really like these frames, they are very comfortable, sit well and using ones I already have for as long as possible is much less wasteful than a new pair/pairs at every prescription change.