Occupational Lenses- users help me

[NotAgainFHS]

In 2023 I discussed with opthalmologist having occupational lenses. She explained bottom for reading, top for computer screen. Separate pair for driving. Everything great. Needed new glasses 2024, same prescription, same high street store. Distance glasses great. Couldn't see properly in occupational lenses- they're like varifocals in the sense that I can see a car number plate through the top of the lenses. Where as in the 2023 pair, I couldn't. I could see computer screen great but anything further away than a metre, it actually made it slightly blurred. I've been back several times but it is like talking to the wall. They've even changed the lenses but they keep telling me I should be able to see distance in the lenses and that occupational lenses and varifocals are the same thing and talking to me really patronisingly, telling me I have to persevere. I have to go back again on Monday as apparently it'll be how they're fitted that is the problem. Have I gone insane and invented something that doesn't exist?

I got offered these last year and didn't bother - felt specsavers were just upselling more and more on a basic prescription.
You mention seeing more than a metre - surely the lenses are for PC screen - about a metre away possibly less, and reading 45-60cm?

I am an optician. Yes - you are correct. You should NOT be able to see clearly in the distance with occupational lenses, so if you can the prescription is wrong (or they have not given you occupationals).

Varifocals customised for work do indeed exist. It seems strange that the same store can't repeat what you had before.
The customisation may need to be different depending on how you work. DH's last pair took two goes - they had mistakenly customised for screen and middle distance, presumably the latter for talking to colleagues - but he works from home and talks to them on screen, so like you, he needed screen and reading distances.
Maybe they were working from the same prescription, but making different assumptions about what you needed for work.

Go to a private optician and ask for an eye test and ask them to check your prescription and your lenses.

I have occupational lenses and as you say, I can see middle distance out of the top and read with the bottom.
I can't see distance through the top and have to peer over my glasses for that when I'm using them.

Hope you get it sorted soon. It was so annoying when I was trying to work on the computer in my varifocal, but with the occupational lenses it's fine.

I have occupational lenses. They offered me a set that did 3 areas, reading, screen and if I look up and speak to someone.

I just wanted the two areas, reading and screen.

Could it be that they have added an extra part at the top that you're used to using for screen?

Thank you for your responses. I thought I was going mad. I repeatedly said I just wanted them for 2 uses but it is like talking to yourself. I have no concerns with the opthalmologist's written prescription, it is just how the lenses are being made.

I've had almost a similar experience just this week. I have a complex prescription -10 distance plus 2 reading. I have been struggling with work using computers and my varifocals even though I paid over £500 - it's the lense which costs not the frame. This is affecting my work which employers don't seem to understand that I have limited field vision so I'm now slower. I'm starting a new job and wanted to get everything right so I went to Boots and they seemed to understand my needs and suggested I go for a occupational lense and explained I would not see distance like other side of room etc. But would have a wider area to see in the computer I paid out another £300 and was really excited about getting them. As soon as I put them on I saw no difference. I could see far as clear as my normal VF and in fact it was so clear the distance I drive 30 miles in the dark in them. I would never have attempted that if I couldn't see. The reading is worse than my varifocals. I explained this and they said I just need to get use to them. I haven't been able to sleep as I'm now worried about starting my new job and struggling once again to see the screen. I didn't really have the money to spend on them but I also need to be able to work in roles that pay the bills. I'm at a loss.

There's a few different options when choosing which occupational lenses you want. One option gives you just computer distance and near which it's sounds like you had before. Another option is computer distance and near, and a small amount of distance at the top so you could see someone entering the room which would be useful in an office if you need to look at and recognise your colleagues. It's sounds like they have given you these. If they are unable to sort the issue then get a refund and try a different optician. Occupationals and varifocals are often described as similar, in that they both offer more than one focal distance in one lens, but they are actually not the same. Don't let them try to tell you otherwise!

My occupational lenses are great but from my experience you need to pay good money for them at an independent optician. I got some from specsavers and they are awful- specsavers even themselves said they don't have access to many of these and the quality is poor. Mine from an independent are exceptional!

Would you mind sharing your independent opticians ? I too got mine at Specsavers today- the varifocals seem to be ok (first pair so nothing to compare with), but the occupational set are awful! Thanks.

I am Norfolk so it’s a firm called Cecil Ameys but I my lenses are Nixon.

I've been using occupationals for years, and wouldn't be without them. They are varifocals with the top half set for computer and music stand distance and the bottom half for reading. They are not for distance vision at all.

A few years l progressed to also needing distance vision glasses. They are also varifocals, but for distance and close reading (so I can read supermarket labels).

I've only ever been to Specsavers, but I pay for the most expensive lenses and they seem fine to me. But maybe there's a whole world of very fancy occupational lenses that I'm just not aware of.

ETA I did try some occupationals a few years ago with a bit of distance at the top, so three different modes. I hated them and took them back within a week to get them changed.

Much appreciated! Will look for Nixon lenses in future, thanks.