Varifocal glasses

[daffodilandtulip]

Where is the best place for varifocals? I had some from specsavers, and whilst it achieved what I wanted them to - being able to read a text while watching tv, see the satnav while driving etc, they just aren't right. I have to either move the glasses or move my head to read, and the blurry sides drive me mad.

Is there a better option?

I do like them, they do achieve what I want. It was very much a wow moment when I first put them on, so I do want to stick with them. I just feel like they could be better.

@DorothyWainwright yes absolutely, no issue with driving at all. I don't know if it's a factor that my prescription is not very strong?? Maybe worth a chat to the optician to set your mind at ease.

I do also drive in varifocal sunglasses with no issues but much prefer driving in the lenses.

My varifocals from Specsavera were rubbish. I went to a local independent optician paid a bit more money for better lenses and they were great!

I too went to a highly recommended local independent and went for the more expensive type. Instant success which I didn’t expect (bad astigmatism in both eyes). They’re great. I’ve been using them for 10+ years and with various different lenses and frames with no issues.

I love mine. I had an expensive pair from my local optician (about £400?) and I've now ordered 2 pairs from glasses direct for £160 which are just as good for TV and reading by the pool on holiday. All the sets I've gone for the intermediate quality lens.

My prescription is fairly weak though 1:25 and zero, so I'd imagine it makes a difference if you have a big leap between the lens strength?

I'm another who went to Specsavers after a really bad experience with an independent. I also get the most expensive lenses and love them. Cannot get on with varifocal contacts though, they make me feel seasick.

Mine work perfectly for driving, but I can't read with them. Instant headache every time.

Yes they do. I had the same problem, went back and they fixed them. Mine were £600 too and for that price they need to be perfect.

The fact you said you have a useless and expensive pair just sat there. The first time I tried and decided it wasn’t worth the hassle they just changed them for ordinary ones. When they get it a bit wrong they remake the lenses. I’ve never been left with a useless pair and the expense of new ones when I’ve gone back to ask - that’s both an independent and various branches of Specsavers as I’ve moved about the country.

I can’t use thos3 either. Jus5 can’t see anything clearly!

Go back and get them to check. That shouldn’t happen if it’s the right prescription and the lens is calibrated correctly.

Well not every independent optician is the same.
Nice that you had a better experience.

If you go to a good optician eg Specsavers, then they should take them back if they aren't quite correct for you.

I have varifocal glasses and sunglasses from the same independent opticians, and my sunglasses are miles better - I think the bigger frame shape helps a lot. I can wear my regular glasses, but I end up removing them for computer work and reading (my near vision is still fairly good). I wish I’d got slightly bigger frames for my glasses though, my sunglasses are perfect.

The most important thing with varifocals is the measurements and fitting of the frame combined. The frame needs fitting first - measuring side arms and bending to fit correctly behind the ear - nose bridge splaying or squeezing and then temple width adjustments. Then put the frame on Only then can you take the measurements on the dummy lenses. Many dispensers don’t fit before measuring and so the lenses are not lined up properly when the frames are adjusted later.