Varifocals ot two pairs of glasses?

I have worn glasses occasionally since I was at school and couldn't read the blackboard, and obviously wear them for driving, cinema etc. I don't wear them anywhere else.
For last ten or fifteen years, I've needed glasses for reading, craft etc.
I have pairs of reading glasses next to my bed, in my craft bag, in the living room. My newest distance glasses are in the car, with the yellow tinted ones for driving at night. I've reactor light sunglasses, and ordinary prescription sunglasses.
I looked at varifocals but because my prescription changes very slightly every 2 years or so, was advised not to.

Definitely varifocals but be aware of the size of the frame. I had a large frame once and had a lot of problems focussing. An average squarish frame that you can see at Specsavers was the one that suited me best.

GoodAfternoonTea I chose a frame once that was too small, so the reading zone wasn't large enough to be any use.
We live and learn!

I have varifocals and have had them for many years. Takes a few days to get used to them then it's so much easier than 2 pairs of glasses

I have varifocals but also have reading glasses. I use the reading glasses at home when I’m doing a lot of reading or using my iPad/phone, as the varifocals make the page or screen look slightly domed in the middle. But I like the varifocals rather than distance glasses when I’m out, as it means I can easily do any reading or close work I need to when I’m out - like reading labels in the supermarket.

Couldn’t get on with varifocals, made me feel dizzy. Had mine made back into normal glasses. Just had to buy another pair of distance.

I love my varifocals. As soon as I put them on it was a "come to Mama!" moment. I have them in my sunglasses too. Wouldn't be without them!

Bifocals for me… couldn’t get on with varifocals. I do have reading glasses, only because they’re a bit more easy to read with when reading in bed.
I had excellent sight until my 40’s, so was very picky about specs…;-)

I have worn varifocals for years - the cheapest variety of lens. Opticians always try to sell you the more expensive ones.
I didn’t want to wear glasses all the time either, but got fed up with having to swap between two pairs.
The disadvantages are that they don’t really suit computer work, you end up looking through the distance part when you need the close up for the screen. I solved this by buying cheap readers. The other risk is that you can’t see the ground or steps near to your feet unless you bend your head down. I learnt this by tripping over a ridge and falling flat. Once you are aware of this looking down becomes a habit.
I wouldn’t go back to separate pairs of glasses for anything.

I can't understand why people ( women in particular) don't want to wear specs all the time. I wear my varifocals all day and every day and I have been wearing glasses for 80 years (I'm 85). It drives me nuts when people on TV have to say " I'll have to put my glasses on for this". Just do it. It's no big deal.

I tried varifocals but kept finding I'd missed the edge of the pavement etc. I'm happy with bifocals.

Lots of people are fine with varifocals, give them a try but bifocals are great too especially if you ask for the reading part to be sightly curved so it's not so noticeable (a bit pricier).

i have worn varifocals since my mid-40s (now 78) with no problems. they also react to sunlight so i have no need for sunglasses.
i have had glasses since i was 11 so i'm used to wearing glasses.
when i read at night i don't wear my glasses as i lie on my side with the book not far from my eyes.

I still have bifocals. tried varifocals once,but couldn't get used to them at all, I kept tripping. my bifocals turn dark in the sunlight.

I suffer with vertigo triggered by my vision so when I first tried varifocals 20 years ago, I couldn't get on with them. I tried again recently but found that although they didn't trigger the vertigo, the middle distance wasn't right. I opted for bi-focals but found them disorientating when I was driving so I purchased 2 pairs of glasses. However when I have my distance glasses on, I can't read the dashboard so I am going to try a pair of varifocals which are supposed to address the middle distance problems. Fingers crossed.
If you buy from Specsavers or Vision Express, they will allow you to try your glasses for up to 100 days. After the first 3 weeks, they will either try other lenses or give you a full refund. That way you can see what works.

Interesting subject. I’ve worn varifocals from my forties for long distance and driving etc. however I’ve noticed in very recent years that my close vision isn’t what it used to be so I’m wondering whether to get some off the shelf reading glasses BUT how do I find out which strength I need just for the reading??🤷‍♀️

I was in the same position as you exactly 2 years ago! My reading glasses were permanently on my head or round my neck. At my eye check I was told I needed glasses for long sight (driving) too.
I chose to have varifocals and I had no problems at all! I just put them on and that was it!
It’s wonderful not to keep putting glasses on and off all the time.
Good luck.

I have varifocals with reaction lenses. Cost around £250
Now need new prescription. Quote for new glasses £350!!!!
Does anyone else find the cost of glasses very expensive?

I tried varifocals as did my OH. Didn’t find that our sight was crisp and clean at all at any distance and suffered from some vertigo. Managed for a year or so and then had bilateral leans replacements (multi focal, which is very different to varifocal). Life- changing and life- enhancing. Cannot recommend highly enough.

Nansypansy, most of my glasses are of the £1 off the shelf variety. They are everywhere in the house, bags and in the car and are fine for what they are.
Just try them out on a piece of print. If it’s hard to read go up.
They start from 1.5 and go up to about 3.5
I am on 3 now but can still see out of my 2s easily too.

*’Lens’ !!

My varifocals cost £550. They’re not cheap!

Yvettehartland1

I have varifocals with reaction lenses. Cost around £250
Now need new prescription. Quote for new glasses £350!!!!
Does anyone else find the cost of glasses very expensive?

I don't know what the cost of glasses with reactive lenses are but I do know that I got 2 pairs of varifocals with Super Digital lenses for £330. Those particular lenses have the coating which is anti glare as standard.

I finally got varifocals a few months ago, and I absolutely love them.

The well-known highstreet chain that I use (not Boots) would have replaced them with 'normal' glasses if I didn't like them after (I think) two weeks.

I've got 2 pairs of varifocals - one pair ofRay Ban Wayfarers sunglasses and the other a designer pair - total for both pairs was £600 from Boots plus I had a free pair of reading glasses, chosen from the entire Boots range, so very handy to keep by the bed. Definitely shop around so you don't pay £550 for one pair! I live varifocals 😍

I have worn varifocals for years but have very light ones so do not realise I have them on! They are also frameless and wide panorama so very clear. I tried contact lenses (yes you can get varifocal contact lenses) but though easy to put in I found it difficult to remove. I always go to a private ophthalmologist and probably more expensive than the high street but always pleased with the care and attention