Overwhelmed by the choices with prescription glasses

[lljkk]

I need them for reading and perhaps for driving, too. There are so many choices to make...

If you wear glasses, especially if you need 2 prescriptions, what sort do you wear and why?

Do you think "Eye plan" type thing is likely to be worth it (means one free eye test a year and a third off of other costs, as well as majority coverage in case of breakage).

Then there are separate nose pieces vs. built in ones, Anti-glare (or not), Sunglasses, bifocal, varifocal (3 types of varifocal), Adjustable tint... Or I could get 2 pairs of single focus (one for reading one for driving).

Is it always this complicated, how do you decide?

you need to discuss with your optician what are the best options relating to your personal prescription - lenses are not one type fits all - you also need to try on lots of different frames to decide what is comortable for you - again the lenses/precription may dictate to some extent the type of frame you have - most independant opticians will, if you chose varifocals and don't get on with them let you change them for 2 pairs 1 for distance 1 for reading.
be careful with tinted glasses for driving - there are legal tint levels and some coatings on windscreens affect the performance of transitions lenses
i work in an opticians so i hope this info is useful to you - i would really recommend
an independent opticians practice where you will be treated individually and personally -

Er, that's the sort of place I was today!
They said it was up to me to decide whether I wanted bifocals or varifocals or 2 separate pairs, or whether I wanted anti glare, or sunglasses, or their insurance which includes a price reduction package. This optician is spoken of highly locally, btw.

I really didn't like the varifocals, I could instantly notice the distortion in my peripheral vision. And I'd do tilting games with the bifocals, I just know it. I think he said that legally I don't need driving ones yet, but I'd probably appreciate them if I did have them. I only drive about 1500 miles/yr.

If they only cost 5 quid a pair including frames and lenses I'd just opt for one of everything, but with the given cost I am trying to figure out what to get now or maybe later. Nobody said anything about exchanging the varifocals if they don't work out, though .

But thanks for the reply, anyway. Especially with the tinted glasses info.