Varifocal contact lenses?

[Bettydaviseyes]

Has anyone had varifocal contact lenses and got on ok with them?

I've tried them about five years ago, wondered if they're better now, as I struggled at the time. They were fine for distance, although I sometimes squinted a bit when driving to see clearly, but I couldn't use them for my phone or reading, couldn't get the distance right.

Also, if I order them online do I need a specific contact lens prescription or just my usual glasses one?

Is anywhere doing good deals at the moment for trials and then monthly delivery? Preferably daily lenses but these may be too expensive.

Thanks.

Once your eyesight starts to go, I don't think you can ever find the perfect solution for sight problems in any pair of glasses or contact lenses tbh. I have 3 different prescriptions of specs plus varifocal contact lenses!

I can't read when wearing mine so have a pair of off the peg cheap glasses from Superdrug to put over the top for reading.

I wouldn't risk ordering online without having had a proper fitting at an opticians first. If you get anything slightly wrong it's a very expensive mistake to make (as I know to my cost).

Thanks, that's a good idea.

Glasses prescription and lens prescription will be different usually.

I have multi focal lenses from Specsavers. Previously I had normal lenses and wore cheap “readers” for close up but it was becoming a pain. So I gave them a try and I’ve been in the whole very pleased with them. It sometimes takes a while for my eyes to get into the groove IYSWIM and I’d say my distance sight is not crystal clear (but perfectly sufficient for driving!) but the main benefit is at work where I often have to look up and talk to a client then look down at documents or a screen. The alternative would be varifocal specs but I know friends who have had trouble getting used to them

An alternative is wearing one lens for distance and the other for close up - this was also offered to me. Apparently the brain gets used to only looking through one eye depending on what’s required 😳

I wear one lens for distance & I one for close up and have done for about 8 years. It works well for me.

DH has recently started wearing the multi focal dailies and is very happy with them.

He is mid 50s and his eyesight seems go have changed quickly over the past 6 or 7 years.

He did try monovision but I think somehow eyesight changed more they aren't cutting it.

Gets them from a local opticians - about £39 for a months supply. Seems expensive to me but the same type and be and online isn't any cheaper.

I've just got them from Vision Express and was given 10 trial pairs before I actually signed up for a monthly direct debit. I think it very much depends on your prescription as to how much you can or can't do wearing them. I'd definitely go to get your eyes / prescription checked before just ordering on line.
Good luck

Me. Should have done it years ago. Took a couple of goes to get the right prescriptions but I love them. Specsavers. Had the tests, got the trial pair within a couple of weeks, went back a couple of weeks later, wasn't happy with the long distance. They retested, got the new pair and all fine. Also got specs which can be a bit odd if I move my head quickly.

I have had varifocal (gas permeable) for several years. They are fine for 99% of purposes, just if I'm threading a needle or reading tiny print I might struggle. But they are much better than the alternatives.
I don't think you can order gas permeable online but I would never order online without being absolutely sure of my prescription. Specsavers are OK, but I go to a local contact lens specialist optician and have been much happier with the service. He really takes the time to make sure vision is optimised and I don't feel like I'm being rushed through a sausage machine.

I have the Boots multifocal dailies, cost £43 a month which is a bit steep. I'm trying to wear my (varifocal) glasses a bit more often so I can cut down on the lenses, maybe just having 60 delivered every 3 months instead of 90. Different prescription for glasses and lenses but Boots will give you several days lenses to trial first for free.

Boots contact lens scheme also gives you advantage card points and 10% off all boots brand items, which I've used a lot for toiletries etc. Lots of offers on glasses, my new glasses were half price so I went up to a really nice pair with frames that I wouldn't normally have considered due to price.

I’ve had them for about 18 months not have found them awful for work, I sit in front of a computer mostly.

I tend to just wear them if I’m off out somewhere or at the weekend and where my glasses during the week.

I wear them. As a previous poster says, it's one solution amongst others!

They are great in that I can see everything. They are useless for close work such as reading or knitting, and not great for sharp sight at a distance. I've found recently that I just can't see clearly enough for driving in the dark.

I also have distance lenses I use when I'm hill walking, and distance glasses for driving at night. Naked eyes for knitting, reading.

My problem now is that I can't use my laptop unless I have in my varifocal lenses. I have progressively been wearing my glasses further down my nose but now find it's not long enough. Currently typing 2 inches away from the screen - very bad for posture!

I couldn’t get on with them. Desperately wanted to, but I felt like I couldn’t see well enough at any distance, although I saw everything ‘a bit’. Specsavers insisted I was safe for driving, but I didn’t feel it. I’m just about to have an eye test though, and have decided to ask about giving them another go (currently use single vision with readers). To be honest, had I been at a different optition I might have carried on trying the last time. I’ve always been extremely happy with Specsavers, but I found the one I was at very dismissive about the issues I was having. I did have two trials, and they said I couldn’t have any more, which was why I went back to single vision.

Thanks .. Yes these are the issues I had last time.

I made the mistake of getting distance only glasses a couple of months ago after my glasses broke due to financial reasons but I'm not getting on with them at all. New glasses would be very expensive but by the sound of it contact lenses wouldn't really be a saving.

No, I don’t think you have contacts to save money really. I love mine, even though they are only single vision, but they cost me £34 a month on a contract. Plusyou still need glasses as a back up.

I know that my DH cost £39 per month - he wears them most days but not every day so a pack will last a little longer than a month. However his most recent pair of varifocal specs cost about £450 - and his eyesight seems to change annually.

So in his case it probably works out not too more expensive. Plus he is much happier in lenses - which is strange as he was 50 when he started wearing them and did struggle at first to get the lenses in and out.

I've no problem wearing them .. did do for years ... Just found my vision wasn't great with them.

I didn’t get on with them great for distance but I couldn’t read my phone