That dreaded moment when you realised you might need varifocals...

[HigherNature]

How did you know?

I am 52 years old and started needing reading glasses about 4 years ago. A few months ago I noticed myself squinting a lot when I watched tv. Then I realised I struggled to recognise people's faces from a distance. Then I started getting a bit dizzy and slightly blurred vision even when having a face to face conversation with a mate. This doesn't actually happen all of the time. Sometimes I might see just fine, and other times it seems like a lot of effort.

I have been in denial because I hate the thought that I might need glasses to wear all the time, but I have now booked an eye test for next week.
I'd love to hear your experiences with this.

Also, in the event of needing glasses for more than just reading, am I still okay to grab my prescription and buy online? I find Specsavers so awfully expensive, and hate the fact that their charges are not transparent and have been in shock at the till in the past.

Do not buy varifocals online. Accurate measurements are crucial to them being successful!

I'm 49 and getting my first pair of varifocals next week. Just ordered today. I had a fairly cheap frame but the coats on top were alot and it was a toss up between glasses or new swing chair for the garden 🤣 But I'm fed up of taking my readers off and on or having them perch on end of my nose so I can still do close up work but also look over the glasses for normal vision. Mine are from Boots but I wish I had checked Asda out too. Maybe for a second pair x

I'm a big fan of our local Specsavers. I've been going to them for years after getting rubbish service from some (very expensive) local independent opticians.

I've had no trouble at all with getting varifocals. The difference in price between top and second rank varifocals when I first got mine was £60. It's gone down to £30 but they said just keep to what you know and didn't try to make me pay more.

I paid £368 in all including vision test, some other test, thin lenses in my main glasses plus anti-glare and Polaroid sunglasses. I thought that was a fair price.

I think the branch of Specsavers you go to makes a big difference in your experience. Mine have been great, always.

I paid £368 in all including vision test, some other test, thin lenses in my main glasses plus anti-glare and Polaroid sunglasses. I thought that was a fair price.

£120 for two pairs at Asda. Sight test £20.

First time I've ever had two pairs as I could never justify it before (and, no, the second pair is not free on those offers, only a very basic lense is free).

I couldn’t cope with them - made me very sea sick ( I do get sea sick very easily) so had to go back to reading only glasses .

I always check for free eye tests, specsavers regularly do them as vouchers online

I'm 42 and they where the best thing I purchased

I've worn variafocals for years and years ( at least 17) and I do get a second pair online . I usually have the new prescription put in my old pair as a spare ( truly blind without them) and send those in and they use the measurements of the existing lenses to check. I've never had any issues with them not being right ( whereas I've had to have lenses changed in the independent optician I use once because they didn't feel right and one measurement was out). So it's possible. I would never ever use an online optician for my first ever pair

I wouldn't say I "love" my varifocals. I just like being able to see.

This. I’ve just had new ones and they were very slightly misaligned. It took the optician ages to adjust them.

Also you may find Specsavers etc work out cheaper if your prescription is any other than single vision. I put my prescription in to the website of a company that advertise s on TV (£6!) ant the cheapest frames came to £220.

I wouldn't say I "love" my varifocals. I just like being able to see.

^This. As someone with partial sight loss in one eye through glaucoma, I totally agree. If only wearing glasses could bring it back! But was once where you are, OP. Now I wish glasses were all that I needed. Perspective is everything.

I recently had an eye and contact lense check, and in retrospect am wondering if they ought to have been suggested.

I'm short sighted, so wear contacts in public, glasses at home (vanity!). But as my distance prescription has gone up I find I can no longer read tiny print. I can take my glasses off at home to read small print, but I'm slightly more stuck while wearing the contact lenses - I have to hold things at a distance.

VanGoghsDog · 10/05/2022 10:12

You don't know if you are "safe to drive" unless you have an eye test. So, regardless of whether you're going to buy glasses, have your eyes tested.

I thought a drive to Barnard Castle was all you needed?

I'll my coat....

I couldn't see what I was knitting and my arms were too short to read labels.

Had no problem getting used to them. I had more problems, last year, 10 years in, as my reading addition has reached the point where the gradations are quite strong and it was hard to get the placement right with a sweaty mask on.

I keep pair of just reading glasses for concentrated close work but I hate wearing them because I can't see a thing when I look up.

Asda varifocal people, can you tell me, what are the thinnest lenses you are offered, and is there just one approach to the varifocal lense design? I just this week got my first pair of varifocals from glasses direct. They offer various designs of lenses, which vary in price, I ordered the “elite “ I think it was, which apparently is the easiest to get used to. They have explanations on the site as to how the lense is divided between distance/ near for varying ease of use. I ordered the easiest as I was dreading feeling disoriented and failing with varifocals, but actually they are fine.

Optometrist here! Don't buy online as they need to be measured and fitted properly.
As mentioned above, Asda are very good quality and value

I thought a drive to Barnard Castle was all you needed?

🤣🤣

I'm 65 and facing this dilemma, I suppose I should be grateful I've lasted so long with only reading glasses. Has anyone else on here gone straight from glasses to contact lenses at an advanced age to resolve the issue? I feel very apprehensive about it but feel it might be the best answer.

I hate varifocals. So expensive. Couldn't get in with them at all. Optician says many people can't.

Got there before me! Fantastic MagpiePi

The only good thing about being very short-sighted is that I get my eye test free of charge.

If you have a parent with glaucoma, you also get a free test and it's every year rather than every two years. My brother and I get a free test because of my late dad's glaucoma.

Oh and you have to be over 40.

How come? How short sighted do you have to be?

I'm hoping my macular hole gets me free eye tests, so far the checks have been on the NHS.