Varifocal sunglasses anyone?

[tobee]

If you wear varifocals what do you wear for sunglasses?

I got some varifocals a few months ago and found them transformative.

However, if I got a matching pair (prescription wise) of sunglasses are they inordinately expensive? Especially as I wouldn't be wearing them that much?

I can imagine 3 options. Potentially pricey varifocal sunglasses, prescription sunglasses only fitting one of my sight issues, or popping big pair of sunglasses over the top of my ordinary glasses. But does that look naff? And they would probably be a poor fit?

Ah, this reminds me of my mum in the 60s. She looked very cool 😎

I have occupational varifocals for work and now distance glasses for driving and TV and reading glasses. I can't keep up with myself!

I have a pair of polarised sunglasses in the car which I wear over my distance glasses - somehow they work together.

I have other non-prescription sunnies which are fine and a pair of bifocal sunnies (ready-readers off the shelf, well Amazon) for reading in the garden on a sunny day or on holiday.

If I were to get prescription sunglasses, it would be the distance ones I think.

Specsavers two for one type of thing. I think there's a slight premium but not super dear no, and worth it - especially for reading on a lounger!

Sometimes Costco have deals if there's one near you.

I've just discovered these. I wear varifocals but can't afford a prescription pair of sunglasses so bought some of these from Amazon. They are fab

I was offered two versions of reactives. I went for the more expensive ones which do work in the car and change quicker (still a couple of minutes though). I drive a lot (regularly 4-5 hours a day) so wanted ones which work in that situation. It's not a big brand optician so don't know what others offer.

I got mine from Specsavers. They didn't offer a choice so I assume they only do the ones you can drive in.

If you bought them within 3 months ago from Boots you can get a second pair half price.

I am wondering exactly that.

I have had varifocals for 2 years and have made do with my long vision sunglass mainly for driving but I need my eyes tested and know I need new sunglasses too.

The choices IMO are 2 pairs of varifocals, one pair with reaction lenses or contact lenses.
I can't decide

Oh wow! Where from?

Me too! I do have varifocal sunglasses somewhere but never wear them.

If you don’t want two pair’s they knock off about £60 I think. That’s what I did a few months ago as no need for a second pair l

Mine were free when I had mine done, I love my lenses!

Boots do buy one pair of varifocals and then another pair of glasses or sun glasses for 150 which is a great deal.

Thank you everybody

Me too. They're brilliant. I've just come back from Greece and I wore the varifocal sunglasses all the time.

Glasses Direct for me, you get up to five frames to try at home for free

Another happy Asda customer.
The price of the frame is the price you pay, including thinning and varifocals.

I was 'up-sold' Polaroids lenses which added £50 to the price, which I was a bit Cross about, especially as the Polaroids only have one level of tint.

Otherwise very happy. Paid £79 + £50 = £129.

What if the frames need tweaking to fit properly (I always need this!)?

I’ve never had trouble getting them done locally but you can send them back for them to do

I got my varifocal shades from selectspecs. I think they were £60 ish from the cheap frames section.

I have had varifocals from there before and they were really good.
The downside is you can't try them on and you have to measure your own pupil gap.

I get mine from Asda too, very happy with the service and cost. I have a normal pair of varifocals, then a second tinted pair with polarised lenses - very good for driving.

I don’t have separate sunglasses but have Transitions XTRActive lenses in my normal specs. The go very dark when it’s warm and usefully dark in the car. Despite what they say, they take noticeably longer than normal Transitions to clear though.

These…

Transitions XTRActive New Generation

I get varifocals for both my everyday glasses and sunglasses. It comes to about £500 even with a specsavers 2 for 1 offer, by the time I've added all the extra options I need.
I seemed to have missed a trick about Asda - will try that next time

Those that have used Asda do the varifocals have that blurry bit round the edges of the glasses? Specsavers have different grades of varifocals and it works out expensive, as it's all extra! The cheapest ones have blurriness at the edges of the lens.

I can’t have reaction glasses for work reasons, and I’ve just not bothered with sunglasses for years but optician says I have a cataract forming and I should wear them. In the past I’ve had prescription ones and it was such a pain swapping them over, I didn’t use them. Magnetic clip-on ones - absolute game changer. If I go into a shop or similar I can just uncluttered them and slip them in my bag.