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Bifocals or something else

17 replies

NameChangeNameShange · 24/11/2021 03:33

I wear glasses to drive but apart from that I've been fine. However, I'm realising my eyes are getting worse when I read, use my phone etc. Am I going to have to juggle two different sets of glasses? Do I wear one set on a chain round my neck like my 👵🏻? Do I switch to bifocals and move my head up and down like an owl 🦉? Any other options?

Any advice or experience? And yes, I know I need to see an optician but just wanted an idea on options.

OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 24/11/2021 03:36

Bifocals aren't a thing now. It is varifocals and the gradient on them means you don't have to move your head up and down. Go and get an eye test and ask your optician. Mine told me when it was time to move to varifocals and I love them.

NameChangeNameShange · 24/11/2021 03:56

That's good to hear. I have vivid memories of my mum bopping her head up and down!
Do you wear them all the time? Or just at extremes like for me it would be driving versus reading but activities in between I would be fine.

OP posts:
SueblueNZ · 24/11/2021 04:21

Here in NZ they are called progressive lenses; I'm not sure if that is a name used internationally.
My specs have three parts to them, though without the line that the old bifocals had.
The top of my lens has the prescription I need for looking slightly upwards at a computer screen. The mid part is for distance/straight ahead. The lower part is for reading when I would look downwards.
I wear mine all the time. I used to faff about with reading glasses and separate distance glasses for short-sightedness. I'm glad those days are over.

SueblueNZ · 24/11/2021 04:22

To add, although there are three parts/strengths to each lens, you cannot tell from looking at them. There are no dividing lines.

ApolloandDaphne · 24/11/2021 05:23

I wear mine all the time.

NameChangeNameShange · 24/11/2021 06:20

Thanks so much. Off to the opticians I go!

OP posts:
ShaunaTheSheep · 24/11/2021 07:15

Varifocals!
They can take a bit of getting used to, but worth persevering.

Athrawes · 24/11/2021 07:16

Contact lenses plus reading glasses

Bagelsandbrie · 24/11/2021 07:21

I wear my varifocals all the time. I’m -9.50 both eyes so very short sighted and have a reading addition of +1.25. I find they’re really good. It’s worth paying extra to get the higher quality lenses if you go somewhere like specsavers as the field of vision in them is wider the higher the grade of lens (they’ll explain this to you).

SpeckledyHen · 24/11/2021 07:29

I couldn’t get on with varifocals despite numerous attempts.

I found a wonderful optician and I have contact lenses for long distance and Izipizi reading glasses for when needed. The perfect solution for me.

Floisme · 24/11/2021 07:30

I wear them all the time. They work fine - I still sometimes take them off to read small print but that's just old habits. I do know a couple of people who had trouble adjusting to them.

TabithaTiger · 24/11/2021 07:36

I've just started wearing multifocal contact lenses, I'm finding them really comfortable and didn't take long to adjust to them.

NameChangeNameShange · 24/11/2021 08:33

I've a real.phobia about eye balls
Not sure contacts will work but nice idea!

OP posts:
jay55 · 24/11/2021 09:45

I just switched to varifocals. I don't like that I can't see things out the corner of my eye and have to turn my head.
But otherwise all is well and they didn't take much adjusting.

Best of luck

BrownTableMat · 24/11/2021 09:47

Definitely varifocals. I’ve been wearing them a couple of years now and despite people warning me that they can take a while to get used to, I found them brilliant from the moment I put them on. I wear them all the time and I also have a pair with a polarising tint for driving and wearing in the sun. On the other hand, I’ve also more recently tried multifocal contact lenses and just couldn’t get on with them at all, perhaps partly because I love my varifocal glasses so much.

marakim · 24/11/2021 10:40

I love my varifocals. I was nervous about spending money on them because I remember my parents getting them and not liking them. I took me minutes to get used to them and I wouldn't be without them now.

Ipadannie · 24/11/2021 22:43

Yay for varifocals. If you have an asda opticians anywhere near you they are great value for money.

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