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Original poster

Varifocals

35 replies

TenCornMaidens · 09/05/2021 11:38

Please talk to me about varifocals/bifocals!

I have been v myopic since age 7. I got new specs six months ago. Now, age 45, I noticed I was having to move things father away to read them a month or so ago, so went back to my optometrist. I asked for reading glasses since my distance specs were still OK and I had heard some people struggle w varifocals. But I HATE having to change specs to read. I'm always having to swap and it is doing my head in. Maybe I could get bifocals?

But then someone started talking about computer glasses for middle distance and that seemed like another problem that I haven't heard talked about much.

Can someone please just talk to me about how they find it having one pair of specs for different situations like driving, computer work, cooking, etc. Thank you so much. Flowers

OP posts:
ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn · 09/05/2021 11:44

I went straight to varifocals last year having never worn glasses. For me they are fantastic indoors where I'm flitting about doing different things, for working with documents and screens, and for crocheting in front of the telly. I'm not keen on them outdoors as the restricted field of vision is irritating, similar for driving where I've just switched to simple distant vision reactive sunglasses.

Original poster
TenCornMaidens · 09/05/2021 11:48

Also, do you get bifocal/varifocal sunglasses?

OP posts:
starfishmummy · 09/05/2021 11:50

I love mine.
The only downside is the cost. If you're the sort of person who likes to have several frames on the go to.match different outfits then it can get very expensive.

cocopops · 09/05/2021 11:50

Yes. I got varifocal sunglasses last year and they are brill. I no longer have to keep swapping to my glasses in shops to see the price of things! I may look a bit daft mind you with them indoors but they’ve made such a difference to life!

Seeline · 09/05/2021 11:53

I love my varifocals. Not a particularly strong prescription, but I could never cope with having the right glasses with me when needed. I also like my varifocals for driving as I can see the satnav, as well as the road in front of me. My spare driving glasses are just for distance, so I have to rely on the spoken instructions and road signs.

You can get varifocal sunglasses too.

Disfordarkchocolate · 09/05/2021 11:53

If just got my first varifocals and I'm very happy with them. They cost a fortune because of my prescription and needing them to be as thin as possible. They took a couple of weeks to get used to but I only find them odd now when I'm in a narrow aisle in M&S.

I knew I wouldn't cope with having multiple pairs, I'd never have the pair I needed. You can get sunglasses or something that sort of clips to you frames. I didn't pay much attention because I don't wear sunglasses.

starfishmummy · 09/05/2021 11:57

@TenCornMaidens

Also, do you get bifocal/varifocal sunglasses?
I do. I found swapping from single vision to sunglasses or back again gave me a feeling akin to seasickness for for a short while. I did get varifocal sunglasses when there was an offer on, but I went for a lower grade of lens (fewer "coatings" I think, I cant tell any difference) and I don't always upgrade them when my prescription echanges (but obviously I don't wear them for driving - car has tinted windows )
starfishmummy · 09/05/2021 11:58

Sorry I meant changing between varifocals and single vision sunglasses.

Original poster
TenCornMaidens · 09/05/2021 12:53

Thanks so much everyone, you are all so kind.

I have never been one to own more than one pair of specs at a time, partly because with my prescription they are shockingly expensive but also partly because I am lazy. Took me quite a long time to get prescription sunglasses and I always get them in the same frame as my usual specs to avoid seasickness when swapping.

So I will probably go for varifocal and sun-varifocals in a bit.

Anyone have them with mid-disrance for computer work? Anyone have bifocals in preference to vari?

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 09/05/2021 13:01

I'm on my third pair of varifocals (at the grand old age of 48) and they are brilliant. I got my pair from Asda as you got two pairs for £150 including thinning, all the lens components inc prisms and a coating for the sunglasses pair and I thought it was really low risk if I didn't like them compared to the normal amount I paid for my complex single vision glasses.
I have varifocal sunglasses and a pair of varifocal sports sunglasses for cycling and running. I don't have a computer pair, but I know some of my colleagues do depending on their computer set up. As I can't cope with multiple screens, I have my screen at a distance that works for me instead

RocioMartinez · 09/05/2021 14:54

I have them with a stronger prescription than yours OP. They are brilliant but the lenses were upwards of £500 for my prescription. That was via an independent optician and they did a brilliant job. I checked with the well known High St opticians and they couldn't have done it for any less.

FuzzyPuffling · 09/05/2021 16:33

I've been wearing varifocals for several years and have no problems with them at all. I've worn glasses since I was three years old (thank you, measles) so specs are no novelty for me. But varifocals ...yes please.

The only problem is currently with face masks, when the mask puts the lens at the wrong point of your eyes, so they don't focus properly.

DramaAlpaca · 09/05/2021 16:40

I have normal varifocals for distance and close vision, plus a second pair of mid distance/close vision ones that I only use at work when on a computer.

Iheartmysmart · 09/05/2021 16:42

I’ve got really awkward mono vision so am short sighted in one eye and long in the other. Tried a really expensive pair of varifocals but they were useless for both distance and close reading etc so have gone back to two separate pairs. I do however wish I’d chosen different frames for the individual prescriptions. Gets a bit confusing at times!

RocioMartinez · 09/05/2021 17:01

@FuzzyPuffling. It was measles that did for me too

FuzzyPuffling · 09/05/2021 18:43

Rocio Martinez I've never met anyone else with measles- induced poor eyesight. We must be very special!

CatherineCawood · 09/05/2021 18:59

I have varifocals and varifocal sunglasses. On buy one get one free with thinning the lense and anti glare they were £360 and I only chose mid priced Karen Millen frames Confused

However there are different grades, the more you pay the bigger the various focus areas are. I'm sure there is a technical word for that but I don't know it! I got the most expensive as I wanted to give myself the best chance of them working out for me. I can't change glasses as I would loose them for sure which would cost me £££. As it is I lost my varifocals switching between sunnies and normal. Thanks ADHD. Fortunately I had the spec savers golden ticket which means you can buy another pair for a reduced cost.

It took me a couple of days to get used to them, I did go back to Specsavers and get them to adjust them a few times until they were perfect.

Hope that helps Smile

RampantIvy · 09/05/2021 19:05

IMO varifocals are the best thing since sliced bread. I can see to drive and watch TV, I can see my computer screen and I can read small print. I’m 62 and have worn them for several years. I also have varifocal sunglasses.

@FuzzyPuffling. It was measles that did for me too

And me. Anyone who thinks the MMR is a bad idea, think again.

The best advice I can give you is give them time, and if after about three weeks you don't get on with them go back to the optician. Also do not order them online. It is very important that the fit is right.

kalikkma · 09/05/2021 19:06

I have sun reactive varifocals. Cost a bomb but worth it. Have worn varifocals for a few years now and found the cheaper ones harder to adjust to, so reluctantly recommend getting the best you can afford. With these I cope with reading, computer and driving with the same pair.

mumwon · 09/05/2021 20:35

I am very short sighted - I use the computer a lot & I also do landscape drawing with a lot of fine details, I have a pair of over sunglasses that fit & cover my glasses -but mostly I do not bother.

mumwon · 09/05/2021 20:37

Oh yes measles did it for my eyes - minus 11 & I have worn them for over 10 years

Anjelika · 09/05/2021 21:06

I used to just have reading glasses and computer glasses - basically a slightly weaker prescription - but went for varifocals last year as I was so fed up with taking them on and off all day. Mine are great for watching TV and reading but I cannot get on with them at a PC so still wear my reading glasses all day at work then switch to go home. I got the lenses altered once but I just can't make them work at a computer screen.

Seaoftroubles · 11/05/2021 12:56

mumwon, l hope you don't mind me asking but where did you get your 'over' sunglasses? I didn't want to get sun reactive varifocals as my prescription keeps changing and they are so expensive!

Chemenger · 11/05/2021 13:03

I have varifocals which I wear most of the time and single vision computer glasses for work. I wouldn’t get on with working all day on a screen with just the varifocals. I get the cheapest varifocals so maybe more expel ones (which the optician try’s to up sell be to) would be better, but I’m happy with Judy automatically swapping glasses when I sit down at my desk. They’re fine for general walking around as well, but not driving.

Chemenger · 11/05/2021 13:03

Expel? Expensive!