Struggling to get used to varifocals

[NorbertDentressangle]

I've worn glasses for reading and computer work for about 5 years but when I had my eyes tested recently it showed that my distance vision had deteriorated for the first time so varifocals were suggested.

I have to say that I wasn't struggling with my distance vision so it obviously isn't that bad -driving, watching TV etc wasn't a problem. So it's not as though I need to wear them all the time

Anyway I have my varifocals and I'm not getting on with them at all. The prescription seems to be right for the close up and the distance vision but it's the bit between close-up to mid-range that I'm finding a pain (the sort of distance that a lap-top screen is when you're sitting with it on your knees).

This range seems to be through the bit of the lens that has the narrowest range so peripheral vision is limited and also I find myself having to move my head around to find the right spot to look through and then my head/neck seem to be at an unnatural angle (double chin a-go-go!) although this may be because the laptop is quite low, perched on my knees.

The thing is I'm wondering if I actually need varifocals as I don't feel that I need glasses for distance stuff yet. I've only recently become quite dependent on glasses for reading so should I just stick to those? Have separate pairs for close-up/distance vision? Have one pair reading/1 pair varifocals to get used to in case I eventually need them full-time?

Anyone have any words of wisdom or experience please?

I've had distance glasses forever, separate reading glasses for a couple of years, but only had varifocals for 2 weeks. I did find laptop distance hardest to get used to.

I went for vari as I couldn't read much at all with my distance glasses on anymore, so it was necessary

Its worth going back to the opticians - they said they could get them reglazed as single vision for free if I didn't get on with them.

I guess the question is whether you can be doing with whipping out reading glasses every time you want to read something?

Hi there CMOT

I do have all sorts of options as the deal was BOGOF - the pairs can be the same or different (frames and lenses). They advised just getting one pair made up as varifocals to begin with and seeing how I got on and will change them at no extra cost.

The thing is even if I master them for laptop use then I'm still unlikely to wear them all the time so would still be "whipping them out" every time I need to read something which is what I currently do with my reading glasses.

How long have you had them for?

I wear varifocals and they are the best thing since sliced bread. It is extremely important to have them fitted properly and lined up correctly by an optician. They aren't something you can just buy online.

It took me about 4 weeks to get used to them and IMO it is worth persevering. I would go back to the optician to make sure that they are aligned correctly.

Go back and get them checked then, and if they say they are correct, maybe another 2 weeks and if you don't get on with them, get them changed to reading only so you have two pairs of reading glasses to keep in separate places

I have only had them a week so maybe I'll give them another week, then go and get them checked if they still feel wrong.

Also, I'm back at work next week so will need to try them out there as it's a desktop screen rather than laptop.

Trouble is I try them for 10-30mins then get annoyed at all the moving my head around to find the right spot so ditch them and reach for my old reading glasses.

If I needed to wear glasses all the time I'd probably get used to them quicker as I'd be having to wear them constantly.

That feeling is perfectly normal when you first get them. Honestly, it really is worth persevering. Like I said, it took me about 4 weeks and now I can read small print, read my computer screen, drive and just live a normal life without having to faff around changing glasses all the time.

I love my varifocals, have been using them for about 10 years.

I am quite short sighted so wear them all the time.

It is vital to get them properly fitted, the last new pair I had I went back 4 times until the opticians (Specsavers) got them 100% right. It's tiny adjustments that make them sit just right.

it took me about five years and three pairs to deal with varifocals. I definitely needed them as my work meant frequent swapping between reading, near distance and distance lens.

I used to find I could not work on a computer or read with varifocals for more than 5 minutes as I found myself staring, looking up and down, blinking etc. I discovered that the reason was that the lens were not graded correctly, but I found that out only when I changed opticians and the lens were graded correctly.

I wouldn't be without them now. No more faffing around, swapping glasses every five minutes (think trying to read a road map and see road signs and looking for turnings way ahead).

If you are having difficulty adjusting then the chances are they are not fitted correctly or the lens have been graded badly.

5 years - not sure I've got the patience to persevere for that long!

Norbert - needn't be 5 years. T'was my fault. I assumed it was me being awkward when it was the spectacles' fault all along. I should have twigged earlier…….

I would go back to your optician and explain the problem. You shouldn't have to faff around looking up and down etc. I bet it's the specs, not you.

if you are not too bothered about the distance correction for work you might be better with an Occupational lens, it's a reading/close prescription at the bottom, but comes back up to mid range/desk/ computer screen/laptop distance at the top

Like a varifocal, but better width/field of view in the middle distance. But you would definitely need a separate pair for driving if your prescription is required for that.

The main disadvantage of varis is the narrower field of vision for close and mid range but once they are on then you do not have to take them off to mill about the house/shops like you do for just reading glasses.

I've had no real problems with varifocals apart from having to be a little careful going down staircases/escalators. I use two screens at work but these are at the correct height.distance (firm keeps sending ergonomics person round to tell us off otherwise). The transition from close to distance has no problems - just as if I didn't have to wear specs at all.
My varifocals have had good quality lenses (they can vary a lot) fitted by a very good optician. I have a pair of sunspecs with cheaper lenses and they are OK for the occasional use they get but I wouldn't want to use them all the time (very unlikely to happen in the UK). You might need to return to the optician for adjustment and keep checking that you are wearing them correctly.

I use varifocals too, and have good unaided distance vision. I use varifocals because I can't be touching glasses as I put them on and off! I really struggled with my new ones, which had a stronger 'reading add' than my previous '1st' pair, and it was the narrower reading and intermediate sections that threw me. They are however fine for distance and multiple tasks when I don't need to sit and read for ages, or need to read very tiny print. I took them back after a couple of weeks and they adjusted them to sit angled into my cheeks a little and that helped a lot. They told me the trouble was the smaller intermediate and middle zones in the stronger pair, than in my weaker old pair. I now keep a simple pair of intermediate specs by the computer (calculated for the specific distance) and use simple reading glasses for reading in bed, because this is where I find the varifocals work least well.
So I would advise going back to the optometrist who made your varifocals, in case adjustment would help, or they may need to choose a design of lens (there are different ones available) that is designed primarily for near and intermediate use.

Thank you all - some interesting points and experiences.

I think, from your replies, that I need to go back and get them checked and maybe adjusted (or even new lenses).

Maggiso - you're right about the varifocals not working for reading in bed! I really struggled, probably because I mainly lie on my side to read in bed.

If your distance prescription is small and you do not have significant astigmatism, you may be able to buy inexpensive reading specs, to keep by your bed for reading in bed. Reading on your side might be a little closer (I imagine) than other reading, so it might be worth checking the distance from eye to book, before you go back, so they can advise which power of reading specs to buy. However I found I could no longer read on my side once I needed to use reading glasses as I tended to get double vision, so it might be best to check the distance when reading in another preferred position.