Varifocal tips?

CatParade · 2025-01-04T21:42:29+00:00

I have glasses for the first time in my life and they’re varifocals. Any tips to get used to them / help them feel more natural? I think I read somewhere about pointing your nose at whatever you want to look at.

ForPearlViper · 04/01/2025 22:01

When I first got my varifocals, I went to a very large supermarket. It wasn't intentional, shopping was just the next the job on my list. However, in that environment, you are changing where you look a lot. Near, far, left, right, up down, etc. You have to keep changing your gaze. You won't get used to them in your home as you aren't getting the variations in vision.

For a few days, when out, I felt a bit like a robot, having to turn my head to look at things where I might have glanced sideways. But after that, it was fine. I got used to them really quickly and now have had them for 15 years.

My advice, is do something similar, get into a variety of environments, inside and outside. Accept it is going to be weird for a little while. I promise after a week or so it will be fine.

Original poster

CatParade · 04/01/2025 22:31

ForPearlViper · 04/01/2025 22:01

When I first got my varifocals, I went to a very large supermarket. It wasn't intentional, shopping was just the next the job on my list. However, in that environment, you are changing where you look a lot. Near, far, left, right, up down, etc. You have to keep changing your gaze. You won't get used to them in your home as you aren't getting the variations in vision.

For a few days, when out, I felt a bit like a robot, having to turn my head to look at things where I might have glanced sideways. But after that, it was fine. I got used to them really quickly and now have had them for 15 years.

My advice, is do something similar, get into a variety of environments, inside and outside. Accept it is going to be weird for a little while. I promise after a week or so it will be fine.

Thanks for your advice. I was thinking to go into town tomorrow to do some shopping so I can give them a proper run-through then 👍

OP posts:

ForPearlViper · 04/01/2025 22:38

Be prepared for other people to look at you strangely as you will initially be moving your head like Robocop!

Original poster

CatParade · 04/01/2025 22:39

ForPearlViper · 04/01/2025 22:38

Be prepared for other people to look at you strangely as you will initially be moving your head like Robocop!

Be prepared for other people to look at you strangely

Nothing new there!

OP posts:

tobee · 04/01/2025 22:42

Very true about supermarkets!

Wear them a lot and you'll get used to them very quickly and should be like second nature!

I love mine

Rainbow1901 · 04/01/2025 22:53

I struggled with varifocals - so much so - that I went back to the opticians and the technician very patiently explained how to get the best use from them and how and when to wear them.
If I'm reading books for example I still prefer to use my readers but now have got used to the varifocals when out and about. I think the weirdest thing to get used to is the fact that the pavement/ground feels nearer which can make you stumble sometimes. Probably the easiest thing is to look through the glasses for distance and down your nose for close up things. For me, varifocals sharpen up the edges of what I'm viewing particularly when driving and I've reach the point that if I don't wear varifocals when shopping I can't read prices or ingredients. I have no doubt that at some point I will need to wear glasses all the time - but I'm still vain enough to think I can manage without them 🙄🤓