Varifocals

[TenCornMaidens]

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.

I got my first pair of varifocals before Christmas from Vision Express. I have been short sighted since I was a teenager and was dreading the day I would need varifocals as heard nightmare stories about them. They have been amazing! No problems at all. I think most high street opticians will give you a refund if you can't get on with them but often very slight frame adjustments help.

@TenCornMaidens

Also, do you get bifocal/varifocal sunglasses?

Yep, I've got normal and sunnies in the varifocals. I love them.

Dh and I both wear them. You get what you pay for IMHO
Ours have distance, computer and close up sections - they’re brilliant.

And yes to sunglasses too

I have vairifocals, but it took me months to get used to them. I had terrible headaches and my vision to time to adjust to the glasses. Now I would not have it any other way.

I do not drive in them though, because my peripheral vision is not great in varifocals. I use separate long-distance only glasses and sunglasses for the car.

Good luck, OP.

Thanks so much everyone! I really appreciate hearing about your experiences.

I've decided I will go for it and get varifocal and vari-sunglasses (still trying out new terms for those) but FIRST I am going to find the perfect frames. I'm going to have a House of Colour eyewear consultation and visit a few opticians. My usual specialist optometrist is about an hours drive away (for various reasons) but I may talk to her about whether I can just go somewhere local now. Plus she doesn't have a great selection of frames for me. I'm sure you all know what I mean about having this one accessory that you are compelled to wear all the time but also have to buy from the person compelling you.

I recently went for ‘office glasses’ as a half way house instead of plunging straight into varifocals. They are cheaper but I wish I’d just gone for varifocals as it is annoying having to swap glasses around. I do like the office glasses - they’re brilliant for using my laptop but if I leave my desk for something I’ve got to change glasses.

Maybe not for you but I have varifocals which I have had for a few years but I volunteered to trial multi focal contact lenses two years ago. Took a while to get used to them but I was determined as varifocal glasses restricted some side vision. The lenses have been brilliant. You do have to persevere but so worth it. Glasses just kept for the evenings when I take the lenses out.

Thanks! I have tried a few types of contact lenses over the years and I do NOT get on with them! I sooo wish I did but since they are not an option I am going to lean right in to the specs!

I have worn varifocals for years. I have one pair of glasses [ transition ] and one pair of sun glasses [ both varifocal ].
I always buy mine at Asda as they are far cheaper than anyone else and don't start adding costs to different glasses, including transition lenses.
Last time I bought glasses from Asda it was around £140 for both pairs. Never had any issues with them.

I found frames with rimless bottom halves made getting used to them easier. I now wear totally rimless as I prefer lightweight frames and not seeing frame edges. I'd advise going for the most expensive lenses you can afford- it does make a difference - and have them adjusted as many times as it takes if you're not totally happy. A tiny fraction's adjustment can make a big difference.

Once you're used to them you won't want to wear any other specs.