Does anyone still have two pairs of glasses.

[dottypotter]

Does anyone still have separate reading and distance glasses?
Just gone to multifocals and trying to get used to them?
Anyone not got them and prefer two separate glasses?

I’m an optician. Plenty of people have 2 separate pairs. Or several pairs!

I’ve got varifocals and computer glasses. The varifocals are no good for the computer because you’d have to tilt your head up. If I’m reading for a long time I take my specs off, I’m short sighted.

And it's a total pain in the arse!
Worse since I had cataracts done.
Strictly speaking I should also have prescription sunglasses and reading/sunglasses too

So expensive!

3 pairs! Don't wear specs all the time, but have a computer pair, mid distance pair for tv, and long distance for driving.

Yes both Varifocals and prescription readers. I used to buy readers from the market but need more accurate ones now.
The full lens readers are more comfortable for reading for a long time and able to read in bed better because the head angle is much more comfortable.

I do that too. I have contacts for my distance vision and cheap pairs of magnifying glasses for reading (which I only need when wearing my contact lenses, weirdly).

I tried varifocal contact lenses but they were horrible.

I also have glasses for the days I don't use my contacts, but on those days I can read by just removing my glasses.

My optician tried me on varifocal contact lenses and I couldn't see near or far!
I then tried monovusion contact lenses (1 distance, 1 reduced prescription for reading - mine are -1.75 & -0.75) and that works perfectly for me.
With the added bonus that they are just normal lenses and so are no more expensive.

The optician preferred the vatifocal route, but I knew about the monovision as my mum has had them for 20+ years.

Possibly the same reason I do - varifocals are unpleasant to use for an extended period

I’ve got varifocals and computer glasses. The varifocals are no good for the computer because you’d have to tilt your head up.

I think this must depend on the prescription. I have one pair of varifocal specs that do everything without any unpleasantness or head tilting.

I have three pairs, distance, reading and intermediate, for the computer.

Me too. Absolutely can't wear varifocals so have lots of glasses (some of them on strings 😂). This is because I have an eye problem caused by an accident, which means my eyes just don't work well together.

Do give it a really good go though, OP. Because I understand most people do get on with them given time ... and I'm so envious of people with one pair that does everything!

I'm an optometrist: I'm 49. My distance vision is good, so just need glasses for reading/computer.

1. a pair of varifocals (which cost a fortune and work well in most situations except reading books in bed and by the pool and for long periods in front of the computer)
2. A pair of reading glasses which sit by my bed for reading in bed.
3. A pair of reading sunglasses for holidays.
4. A pair of computer glasses - so designed for slightly further away than normal glasses. Mine are an old pair of reading glasses.
5. An off the shelf pair of glasses that live in the back of my phone for reading forms when I'm out. They give me a headache if I wear them for more than about 20 minutes
6. I also have contact lenses for when I go out in the evening, which I'd really recommend. They are NOT great for driving in, but it's really nice to be able to see a menu and other things especially when the light is poor.

You need to spend a decent amount of money on varifocals, they do take time to adjust to - it took me a month, at least.
With reading glasses you don't need to spend a lot, you just need to make sure that they are set up for the distance between your eyes. Otherwise they can cause eye strain.
With the contact lenses, your local optician will offer a trial - you'll obviously pay for the fitting, but they'll give you some and you can try them out. If they don't work - other brands might.

I think I've posted this previously, but I was very dismissive when I first qualified about people needing reading glasses - but it is bloody annoying!

I have so many pairs of glasses 😳
I have distance glasses which are great for distance seeing, but not good for anything up close. I use working glasses for reading my computer monitor/laptop. And take off my glasses for reading/sewing.
I also have distance sunglasses.

When I don't want to wear glasses, I use contact lenses, which eliminate the need for distance/working glasses - but then need I reading glasses to read/sew/use my phone (not so easy to take out lenses for a few minutes!).
And also reading sunglasses for reading outside.

As I wear the contact lenses quite a lot, I have multiples of cheap reading glasses stashed in handbags, by the sofa, by my bed. So many glasses 😵

I have separate ones. I've tried varifocals a couple of times and couldn't do with them at all.

Varifocals AND reading glasses, as reading from a screen doesn't work for me with the former. I have to tilt my head too far back for the comfort of my neck otherwise. They are ok for reading from the page held at waist level.
And prescription lense sunnies.

Not in the slightest, I've worn glasses for years so it's just normal for me.

Thanks for your advice all
I have taken multofocals back and got a refund since I posted

I will start all.over again and go for a pair for reading and a pair for distance.

If you've had cataracts done privately you don't need glasses anyway
Opticians tend to push multifocals