Bifocal or varifocal

[chipperchopped]

I’m struggling to keep switching distance and reading glasses.
My main problem is in the evening when I’m looking down at my iPad doing work while also looking up towards the Tv. Also found it very difficult recently when having to read and then look at a computer screen. So I’m thinking bifocal or varifocal. Which would be better suited to the situations I’ve mentioned. Also don’t want to spend a lot. I’ve got both my specsavers prescriptions ready and am hoping someone could recommend a online supplier.

I had exactly the same problem OP and varifocals sorted it out.

They take a tiny while to get used to - some say it can take months but it took me about a week and now I couldn't be without them.

I buy my glasses from a small family opticians but I've heard Specs4less are very good online suppliers.

It really depends on the prescription, the distance you sit away from the computer screen and the level your screen is at.

For example, I would wear varifocals for looking from the TV to my ipad, but I have a fixed computer screen at eye level and wear an intermediate pair of glasses for that. There are also occupational lenses available which are mainly close to, but have a little bit of distance at the top.

I'm surprised that the Optometrist you saw didn't go through the options with you. However, if you go back into Specsavers and ask to see the dispensing Optician (who is an optician specifically trained in dispensing glasses), they can go through the options with you. Some types of varifocals are better for myopes and some are better for hyperopes.

It's pretty pointless even trying to get any of those options online, as you need to have specific measurements wearing the actual frame you choose, for the glasses to work properly. If you weren't keen on the Specsavers practice you went into, go somewhere else. I'd bare in mind though, that which a varifocal lens generally the more you pay, the easier it is to get used to it and the wider field of view you have.

If varifocals are made properly you should have no trouble getting used to them. It’s all a question of the optometrist positioning the lenses correctly. I don’t really see how they can be successfully ordered online. another thing to remember is that they are not so successful if you chose small frames.

I have had varifocals for many years and found the quality of the lens was important for me. I use an independent optician now and the difference was noticeable, and had no issue getting used to them. It means I don’t have to have 3 pairs of specs.

You need varifocals. Bifocals don't work at intermediate distance which is computer screens.

Get them fitted at an optician. They are more likely to suit how you actually wear and use your glasses if you do. Get the best varifocal lens you can afford as they have a better field of vision.

I'm on my third pair of varifocals. I still can't wear any glasses when looking at the computer as this is basically zero prescription and tis clearer without. As a lecturer, it still drives me potty because I have to see students (glasses on), computer screen (glasses off). But it's much better at home when I am watching TV and noodling about with my phone.

I got this pair a few months ago and they're the best so far. I upgraded the lenses and have a bigger frame.

Varifocals,go to Boots and avoid specsavers at all costs. Fitted properly you shouldn't have any issues getting used to them.

I couldn’t get on with bifocals but varifocals are a lot better. I do have separate reading glasses which I use just for reading books (obviously) as varifocals although ok, I have to keep looking down. I think it also depends on your prescription.

Varifocals work best in a bigger frame. In my experience, a lot of people who say they don’t get on with varifocals tried them in the really narrow slitty frames that were fashionable up until fairly recently.

I have always worn a rounder frame and took to varifocals instantly.

Love my varifocals! I got them from a small chain called Iolla and I couldn’t be happier. Great value, lots of choice and reasonable price. They’ve got showrooms in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester and Cambridge so if you are near any of those places then I highly recommend them.

Varifocals.

I had the exact same problem. Sitting down with two pairs of glasses beside me - drove me mad! Glasses Direct are very competitively priced - DH and I have used them for years. I got varifocals from them and absolutely love them. I wear them a lot, driving is also much better and general shopping - I don't have to keep balancing glasses on my head as I walk around a shop and then sticking them down to my nose to read a price tag! You have to download an app that looks at your eyes so they can gauge how to design the lenses for the close up and distance but it was super easy to do. The website ordering is pretty simple to follow.

Just checked their website - they have 40% off using code 40JANFD.

My varifocals cost £120 and I bought some reading glasses too for £88 but I got a discount and together they cost me £94.35. Which is a bargain really.

Honestly, they are brilliant. https://www.glassesdirect.co.uk/

I have bifocals for general use and a pair of "readers" for when I'm going to be sat doing something close up for a decent time, I used to have a pair of distance glasses as well, but found I never wore them after getting bifocals. Like you I found the constant switching between distance and readers annoying. I've got them in a fairly small frame, so I do find the limited close up area a bit limiting, but then I just switch to readers if I need to.

I have a similar issue with computers. To the point I’m questioning why the optician said I have an intermediate prescription at all. I take my varifocals off for screen work.
The reason I switched was I couldn’t see the car dashboard or read labels in shops using my distance glasses. I can still read without them too.
They were horrendous for the first few weeks and I nearly gave up. Interestingly, our health and safety guy at work has some stats around varifocals causing falls, because you lose depth perception in the early days.
Don’t let me put you off OP 😂.

I've had both and own both kinds plus lots of separate pairs. Online I buy from Glasses Direct and SelectSpecs.
I've tried and tried with varifocals, bought the top of the range etc but I don't like them.
I think if you need glasses on all the time it's worth persevering with varifocals. I don't wear glasses unless I am reading, driving or watching tv. So need both close and distance.
Varifocals are not comfortable to read with, you have to move your eyes down and I like to hold my book high.
I wear varifocal sunglasses and for driving. I also have some bifocals for driving so I can read the dashboard.

Another vote for occupational lenses and you get what you pay for.

I have bifocals - for tv / iPad or iPhone.
But I have a separate set for the computer.

I have a set of "executive bifocals" that work well for similar situations - anything where you need distance and close up but not mid or lateral.

I use them for lectures, marking while TV watching and choir rehearsals.

I worked for an optical wholesaler. The frequent and most useful advice was to point your nose directly at what you're looking at, especially in the beginning.

Hmmmm this is what Specsavers told me when I complained how blurry everything was. When I went to Boots I had no issues at all and nothing was blurry so I think it's to do with the quality of the lenses.

I'm sorry you received a faulty pair. The facility where I worked was one of the top 3 in the US, and manufactured high-quality eyeglasses.

Unfortunately, not everyone adjusts well to varifocal lenses, perhaps from astigmatism or if they previously wore bifocals.

Point your nose is still good advice for situations like that.

I cannot wear either. I wear one contact lens.

I have varifocals and occupationals. Varifocals are great for long and middle distances, but no good for me when seated at a computer, and I just don’t get on with them for reading very small print or for doing detailed craftwork. Occupationals are designed for computer work, and I also use them as my reading glasses for prolonged reading, especially small print. My occupationals are the perfect balance. I can do something like knitting while watching TV, and my eyes flick easily between the two distances.

I’ve tried bifocals. The lack of a middle distance made conversations physically uncomfortable.

Hello all , I'm new to glasses, currently on bifocal. I find them ok but not brilliant. I have gone to my local opticians, after specsavers tried to charge me £385! I'm giving my bifocal back and getting verifocal glasses, hope I've made the correct choice , I understand give them time. I work in busy hospital ,so scared I'm not going to see everything around me ! I also wanting for car,tv,reading my phone . I always thought you got a pair of glasses and that was it ! Christ all the add ons etc, anyway the verifocal have cost me £180 with a antiglare. Don't know if these are just standard (does it really matter) as im new just want to get my head round it all . What's concerns me is the blur at the sides ... once I get them i will come back after few weeks of using them and reply to post .Thankyou all any advice would be appreciated.

I used to go to Boots but have recently moved to Specsavers and am very, very happy. They are working hard to get my latest pair of varifocals just right.

I have vari for daily stuff - cooking, reading recipes; watching tv while glancing at phone; driving - distance, dashboard and Sat nav; out and about; theatre - the stage and the programme. I have a single other pair just for computer work so the field of vision is bigger. I should also be able to wear my varifocals for this but I limit it to laptop use at conferences.
I also have a pair of reading glasses that sit by my bed just for reading in bed - again I like the larger field of vision.