Eyesight related - question about glasses

[anonamater]

I'm near-sighted, and need glasses for driving. My sight has now deteriorated to the point that I need glasses for close work as well; reading, sewing etc. Have tried varifocals and HATED them, felt sick, couldn't cope with the loss of peripheral focus. Is it possible to buy lenses that have a bifocal component without the line (vain creature that I am)? Have googled but the description I get is essentialy varifocal - what I want to avoid.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Go in to the optician and explain the problem, i explained a similar problem and they moved where the lenses changes were to suit where my eyes actually are when i look through the lens at a distance or up close. it made all the difference.

You do have some options but it's worth thinking about giving varifocals another go, maybe a different design and double check the fit etc.

It really is very unusual not to be able to get used to them, which is why so many companies offer money back guarantees!

There isn't really a bifocal lens where you can't see the line.
But some are a lot less noticeable than others.
Your optician will probably be able to show you some samples.

Or you can think contact lenses which can work really well.

go back to your optician and speak to him/her about the varifocal problem - it may seem odd but just a different manufacturer of lens may work - don't ask me why but it does (on of my 2 part time jobs is as an opticians receptionist))
or you may suit contact lenses with distance in 1 eye and close in the other - sounds strange but the eyes work together to compensate for this

yes, I was offered contact lenses, but I get terrible hayfever come the warmer months, so not an ideal choice. Opticians have said something about seamless bifocals? really not keen on the varifocal, just do not like that loss of peripheral vision, really bothers me.

I got varifocals in October last year (having deferred it for a year......). I had the same probs as you and when it got to the stage where i couldn't thread a needle, I knew it was time! I really didn't want to get bi-focal (with the line) and was very nervous about varifocals. Not just because of the variation of the lens but the cost too
It took me around about 2 weeks to get used to them. I felt "seasick", dizzy, couldn't get used to focusing and generally got really fed up. I went back and explained what was happening and they adjusted the bridge slightly which helped. I got mine from Vision Express who were very helpful. They said that if i couldn't get used to them, I could change to a single focus lens. I was also advised against getting a narrow (top to bottom) lens as you need the depth the get the variation. Otherwise you might end up looking through the wrong section of lens. Hope this makes sense!

I'd go back to the optician and see what they can offer you. I was impressed with Vision Express and no, I don't notice that I'm wearing them. I do notice when I'm NOT wearing them now (I've got a spare single vision pair)!

HTH.

At the risk of getting repetitive, a good varifocal, well fitted should have little or no distortion in the upper periphery of the lens.

But you can get bifocals without a tangible seam.

By using two different types of glass, fused together, you can create a smooth lens with the extra power you need for reading without a noticeable line (by touch and very nearly invisible).

Being glass they tend to be heavy and relatively fragile.
They are also rare and thus will not be cheap.

They also can create a zone of distortion where the segment starts. Normally this is not an issue but you seem very aware of distortion so I will mention it.

But your optician should be able to talk to you about fused glass bifocals.

The lens in everyone's eye, you know, is an extremely crude device. It has vast amounts of distortion and colour fringing. What sorts it out is the brain, which as we grow from babies, sorts out and compensates for all these distortions, so we see what we think is a beautifully clear image.
That's how varifocals work. They also introduce distortions where the different focussing zones are, but just as with your own eye lenses, over a few weeks, the brain works out where all the distortions occur and automatically compensates for them. That's why giving up very soon after getting them isn't a good idea. Just give them a chance for a few weeks.