varifocals

The first day I wore varifocals - must be about 30 years ago - they didn't seem to suit me at all. When I went back to the optician, he simply adjusted the fit, and since then I've had many pairs with no problems. Two pairs for one at Specsavers and prescription sunglasses with a 30% discount.

When I collect my varifocals from Specsavers they give me a 50% off voucher if I buy another pair so I then choose a cheap pair of reading glasses so ends up quite reasonable.

Lovetopaint037
My varifocals are really light as well, but expensive.
Like grannypiper I read in bed lying on my side, so I wear reading glasses from Superdrug or the £ shop, rather than risk damaging my varifocals.

grannypiper

I can use mine for everything except reading in bed, this is due to me lying on my side so impossible to use varifocals. My optician told me to go for the middle priced option as the top of the range were really hard to get used too.

My varifocals have thinned glass which I must have paid a little extra. They are not at all heavy. Got hem in Specsavers.

VioletSky

Thank you Notagran!

I had been thinking about trying contacts so brilliant idea

You might even be lucky with your prescription and find that varifocal contact lenses work for you. They didn’t for me, neither did one long sight and one short sight, hence settling on the solution I mentioned.

I had the same problem now I have a pair for reading and need only slight pair for driving. Thrived the varifocals my neck hurt and I felt the ground move it away from me took them back. My son said I didn’t give it long enough but hated them.

Mollygo

Glad you got your money back, but I don’t understand the heavy. Mine weigh very little.
Does anyone else find their glasses heavy, whether varifocals or not?

Compared to my usual glasses they are heavier. I suppose they are just heavier frames. Of course when you try them on for a few mins in the shop they feel OK but when you’ve had them on a while they weigh down on your ears.

I can use mine for everything except reading in bed, this is due to me lying on my side so impossible to use varifocals. My optician told me to go for the middle priced option as the top of the range were really hard to get used too.

Glad you got your money back, but I don’t understand the heavy. Mine weigh very little.
Does anyone else find their glasses heavy, whether varifocals or not?

Got £519 refund this morning so goodbye varifocals. I will now just get a pair for driving/TV with reactolite lenses and a pair of new readers.

As well as not being good for reading I also discovered they are rather heavy and after a while they hurt my ears.

I am very disappointed that, for me anyway, one pair won’t do both. Back to square one.

Thank you Notagran!

I had been thinking about trying contacts so brilliant idea

VioletSky

I very recently started losing my near vision

Varifocals gave me such a headache and constantly changing glasses drives me crazy. I'm just no good at putting the things somewhere sensible so I just keep doing without and hoping the situation doesn't worsen too much

I worked with SEN children and having to suddenly run from sitting and reading with 2 lots of glasses was a nightmare. I had tried varifocals in two different opticians and couldn’t get on with them.

A third wonderful optician suggested contact lenses for distance and cheap readers to top up if needed.
This proved to be a fantastic solution and I wish I had met her years before.
Might be worth a try for you.

I was advised some years ago to have a pair of reading glasses as well as varifocals. It was excellent advise. I can read most things but when I get into bed I can tell straight away if I don’t put my reading glasses on and find I am still wearing varifocals. It seems that the middle area of the varifocals where the change is gradually made does not allow for the clarity which the single lens gives me. Dh also uses a pair of reading glasses in bed.

Had varifocals for at least 6 years. Have reactolite lenses in one pair, normal lenses in the other. Specsavers- never had a problem

Until I read this thread, I never realised people did need different varifocals for different purposes. It’s whatever you need to be able to see, and thank heavens we have a choice
I do have a pair of ‘reading glasses’ from the £ shop for reading whilst lying in bed, but that’s because I can’t afford to break my varifocals.

foxie48

I've got varifocals for driving, watching TV and walking around, I can read with them but I| have a separate pair of varifocals for reading and using a computer. tbh they were all pretty expensive but they make my vision comfortable and I can function OK with either pair. My first pair of varifocals came fro Specsavers, they made me feel sick but I struggled on with them until I just couldn't. I went to a new optician who said, funny that your prescription seems to have swapped eyes!

I thought the whole point of varifocals was that you only need one pair for everything. That’s what the optician told me.

There are some worrying experiences here 😳

A good pair of varifocals should give you as near to "normal vision" as possible according to the lady that fitted my recent pair at Boots.

Yes they have cost me several hundreds of pounds. (To be fair I have a designer frame but that cost less than the lenses).
Yes they have taken me a while to adapt to, which I expected, but I can do anything and everything with the one pair.

I've never had good vision.
I've worn glasses since the age of 3 so nowadays I have the best I can afford 🤓

I've got varifocals for driving, watching TV and walking around, I can read with them but I| have a separate pair of varifocals for reading and using a computer. tbh they were all pretty expensive but they make my vision comfortable and I can function OK with either pair. My first pair of varifocals came fro Specsavers, they made me feel sick but I struggled on with them until I just couldn't. I went to a new optician who said, funny that your prescription seems to have swapped eyes!

I’ve always complained and asked why I need reading glasses as well as varifocals. They don’t know why, any more than they know why I can’t bear sunlight after the cataract ops.

I think for me it is that my job needs me to constantly switch from near to far. I can be reading with a child but supervising a classroom so always looking up. Then my head starts pounding

Those of you who use varifocals and reading glasses, have you told your optician when you go for a check up?
There’s something wrong if you can’t wear them for all of your vision needs.

I very recently started losing my near vision

Varifocals gave me such a headache and constantly changing glasses drives me crazy. I'm just no good at putting the things somewhere sensible so I just keep doing without and hoping the situation doesn't worsen too much

I’ve worn varifocals for 20 years but always needed reading glasses too. After having a cataract removed I hoped I would only need reading glasses, as many people do, butI still need two pairs. I have to change glasses everytime I need to read a word or use my iPad or phone. They’re on and off all the time and always smudgy. Damned nuisance.

My varifocals, from Specsavers also gave the widest field available and I can certainly tell the difference between those and the ones I paid less for. It’s useful having 2pairs as well.

I was told when I first had varifocals about 20 years ago, that I could take them back if I didn’t get on with them. This was from Specsavers, their policy may have changed but Specsavers are all franchises so may vary from shop to shop.May be worth anyone wanting to try varifocals asking.