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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To hate my varifocals and it's really distressing

84 replies

LEMtheoriginal · 01/03/2018 16:24

I suffer with anxiety.

I left it ages before I got my eyes retested since last time I got glasses so there is a big difference in my prescription.

I have been studying the past few days quite intensely and my eyes are screwed.

It takes me ages to adjust between reading and distance. I mean up to an hour but this was with my last pair.

I'm terrified that there is something with my eyes.

Someone please talk to me - not about my anxiety. I kniw know I have this . It's my eyes that are bothering me

OP posts:

SimplyJaded · 01/03/2018 16:42

It's too bad to tell a load of strangers on the internet?

You need to see a GP about anxiety.

TheViceOfReason · 01/03/2018 16:42

If you've had an eyetest, they would have picked up on a problem.

I know you say you don't want to discuss your anxiety, but this sounds very much like your anxiety talking.

Varifocals take a lot of getting used to - and it is possible they've messed up the lens focus point - i've had that happen before.

Because you are anxious you will be hyper sensitive to the slightest niggle and then focusing on that.

liltingleaf · 01/03/2018 16:42

Mari I never claimed you could exercise presbyopia away. However exercises can certainly help with convergence issues and to relax tired eyes and so might help the op.

Maryz · 01/03/2018 16:42

LEM, it's unlikely to be that bad.

I got varifocals from Specsavers and had to take them back and demand my money back; I felt constantly sick. I know lots of people who are the same.

I went to my local opticians and got a fantastic pair; yes they cost more, but I could wear them from day 1.

Bluelady · 01/03/2018 16:42

I found it really difficult to get used to mine but I got there in the end.

Maryz · 01/03/2018 16:44

You know this is your anxiety speaking, don't you? You've been here before, sit down, have a cuppa and try to get the logical side of your brain working.

It is very unlikely symptoms of something truly terrible would happen at exactly the same time as you got new glasses.

clownfaces · 01/03/2018 16:44

Not everyone is suitable for varifocals. Official. I'm not. I paid a fortune for a very thin pair but couldn't get on with them. Went back to the opticians a couple of times. In the end, I reverted to normal glasses.

Lem What is it that you're so scared of?

Piffle11 · 01/03/2018 16:46

I got my first pair of varifocals about a year ago (I'm nearing 50). The optician I use told me that although I could get away without them for a while yet, he would advise anyone considering them to try them sooner rather than later, as it is easier to adapt to them whilst the prescriptions are not too strong either way ( if that makes sense!) I had very few problems and got away with them quickly, perhaps because of his advice. I really don't think it's your eyes: I've heard many people have had problems with them, some feel sick, some have headaches ... I got a few 'dizzy' sensations, but nothing much after the first week.

knockknockknock · 01/03/2018 16:49

But the whole thing about varifocals is that you have to have the thing you're looking at in the right section. If you're reading a book your eyes need to be looking down and not upwards the top of the page otherwise you're looking through the long distance part.

FuzzyCustard · 01/03/2018 16:50

I've been wearing varifocals for years and am now on my 4th pair. The first three pairs I got used to immediately, but this current pair took longer. When I first got them I was convinced they had the wrong glasses and made the opticians check and check again!

But....because the frames were larger than my previous pairs, the focal point was in a different place. This was the only issue.

Although convinced I would NEVER get used to them, I did, in a couple of weeks and now all is completely fine. I'm a bit embarrassed at having kicked up such a fuss!

Fekko · 01/03/2018 16:52

How long have you had them? Some people just don’t get on with them. As my presctiption gets stronger the longer it takes for me to ‘wear in’ new glasses.

The last lot took a week of me feeling sick, headachey and with sore eyeballs before I got used to them.

Mari50 · 01/03/2018 16:54

You need to go back to your optometrist and get the glasses checked.
They need to check the centres and make sure they are fitting properly.
With varifocals there are several things that could be causing problems and your optometrist/dispensing optician can’t check these.
Don’t worry though because there isn’t really anything that you’ve described that is concerning or means you’re in serious trouble.
And don’t google any exercises because you might end up doing the opposite of what is required.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 01/03/2018 16:55

This happened to me, one of the lenses was the wrong prescription. Go back for a retest. Sometimes larger frames are better with varifocals.
You'll soon be sorted either way, it's not a big deal.💐😄

AllisLost · 01/03/2018 16:57

Go back and check them.

Bear in mind it takes a while to get used to them

I wear reading glasses for extended study or screen work as the "reading" bit is in the wrong place for a screen that is in front of you.

Harvestmoonsobig · 01/03/2018 16:59

I’m on my third pair of varifocals from Specsavers. The latest pair I had to take back - tailor made spec. Had a good chat with dispensing optician who has changed the spec without any fuss but did recommend persevering for two weeks. Trust her advice, they’re losing money replacing the lense so worth a try. If a fail, will have to try a more expensive spec.

liltingleaf · 01/03/2018 17:05

And don’t google any exercises because you might end up doing the opposite of what is required.

Mari, might I ask you why you are so invested in dissuading people away from eye exercises?

They really are quite simple and don't involve anything you might not do in the course of a day just looking at things. One I do is just to focus on something near and then something further away and back again. Another is to just scan across the horizon. They just relax the eyes. Nothing scary.

Topseyt · 01/03/2018 17:11

I have bifocals because I am not convinced that I could take to varifocals, but we are all different and I know that some people love them.

I really do think that you should go back and get them all checked out though. Anyone can have problems with any type of new glasses, and there can be a bedding in period. It is all part of the guarantee and the service that you are paying for from a good optician. They are well used to such things and you will certainly not be the first or last.

Are any friends or family willing to go with you as moral support? Would that help?

For what it may be worth, I have had my glasses from our local Specsavers for the last few years now and have always found them very good.

Ivebeenaroundtheblock · 01/03/2018 17:23

OP, you’ve bought something your unhappy with plain and simple.
Go back to a real dr. of optometry a prescribing optometrist have a proper medical eye exam by someone qualified and discuss your options.
Last week my dh went and was suggested a lense with a prism, they did up the prescription and asked them to give it a try for a week as not everyone likes the prism. Very sensible staff.

Knittedfairies · 01/03/2018 17:42

It's possibly the fault of the varifocals, not you. If they're not spot on accurate it could cause the issues you mention.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 01/03/2018 18:05

If you ordered them from Specsavers they will change them if you’re not happy as they have a guarantee. DH has varifocals from there and it took a couple of tries before they were right but he’s happy now.

I also bought glasses and found the frames uncomfortable and they changed them for different frames without a problem. When I said I wasn’t happy with the frames I was given an appointment with someone senior who spent over an hour with me making sure I was happy.

I know Specsavers get a bad press on here (I’ve no idea why) but I’ve always found them much better than the independents I’ve gone to.

MistressDeeCee · 01/03/2018 18:24

I won't wear my varifocals from Specsavers anymore. I nearly tripped down a tube escalator with them on. A friend had similar problem. I went to Tesco opticians when next test was due - thorough examination, glasses cost £50 I've had them a year, no trouble. & they aren't varifocals - I'm shortsighted..can't see long distances but no blur with close reading, looking at phone etc so I don't actually need glasses for that. Varifocals were a nightmare, the world was a blur. I will never go to Specsavers again. I think you should go back IP, tell them the glasses are causing problems and let them sort this out.

Original poster

LEMtheoriginal · 01/03/2018 18:37

When my eyes get tired I get a ghost of the image of some of the things I'm looking at. Just above or below - mostly in bright light but it can be really disorienting and I'm terrified I've got a brain tumour. I told my Dr just now as I've had a major meltdown panic attack. Dp wanted me sectioned which is ridiculous but he's been through so much. It's only if my eyes are tired as I'm studying just now and having to spend hours on end reading. Glasses have been fine at work in fact I've been taking blood and putting iv catheters into dogs at work for the first time this week and I'm happy because I was worrying I'd not see veins pop up but they are like tree trunks with my new glasses I genuinely could hardly see them before.

I'm so scared. Dr has prescribed sleeping tablets but can't get to the chemist tonight.

Keep having to move my glasses. Need to revise but I can't concentrate

OP posts:

YearOfYouRemember · 01/03/2018 18:40

I had to give up my varifocals and now have two pairs, reading and walking about / driving ones.

It's highly unlikely you have a tumour but if you do the sooner you are checked the better.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 01/03/2018 18:45

LEM it took a long time for DH to be able to read in his varifocals. He was fine with them day to day but if he was reading or using a computer he used to change to reading glasses. Now he reads a lot and uses his varifocals.

I know it’s no help to you at the moment but it may be a case of getting used to the glasses.

I’m not going to tell you not to worry as I know it’s not that simple. Eyes do strange things when you are tired. Did your Dr have any suggestions about what’s causing the shadows?

for you

Nutellaand · 01/03/2018 18:58

Hey, I’m actually an optician. Don’t worry these things are very normal if it’s your first time wearing the glasses - however sometimes if the glasses aren’t fitting you right this can make the adaption process a bit harder for you - so go back and they will be able to check everything over and make sure they are aligned correctly.

On average they can take 2-4 weeks for your eyes to adapt and that’s if your using them all the time however one you get past that first few wears they’re a very good lens.

Specsavers have a good policy where you can take the glasses back at any time and have them checked over / adjusted as all their aftercare is included.

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