Discussion
Well, not like that, sorry chaps 
Having hit fifty and find myself taking my glasses off to look at anything close up and having abandoned lenses a couple of years back, have booked an eye test tomorrow and I suspect the word Bifocal will be used, so I am curious as to your experiences with BiFocal/Varifocal and any tips ? How do you get on with them ?
Sight test is with Specsavers but not necessarily going to buy from them.
My Prescription is sort of -5 in the right eye and -3.5 in the left so pretty short sighted.
Having hit fifty and find myself taking my glasses off to look at anything close up and having abandoned lenses a couple of years back, have booked an eye test tomorrow and I suspect the word Bifocal will be used, so I am curious as to your experiences with BiFocal/Varifocal and any tips ? How do you get on with them ?
Sight test is with Specsavers but not necessarily going to buy from them.
My Prescription is sort of -5 in the right eye and -3.5 in the left so pretty short sighted.
I was new to prescription glasses when I first went to specsavers for varifocals - I’d just used ‘ready readers’ before.
Of the 3 or 4 pairs I’ve had from the same prescription, only one pair doesn’t give me eye strain.
Only commenting as I’d also like to hear others experiences.
Also, why are ‘designer frames’ such crap quality?!
Of the 3 or 4 pairs I’ve had from the same prescription, only one pair doesn’t give me eye strain.
Only commenting as I’d also like to hear others experiences.
Also, why are ‘designer frames’ such crap quality?!
If you can read without your glasses I'd stick with regular lenses for distance.
I've been popping my glasses up or off to read for years - you just get used to it.
I've also tried multi-focal contacts as it's rather problematic to take lenses out to read, but didn't get on with them.
I've been popping my glasses up or off to read for years - you just get used to it.
I've also tried multi-focal contacts as it's rather problematic to take lenses out to read, but didn't get on with them.
Jumped to Varifocals a year ago. Awful things, I've tried to adapt but they cause more problems than they solve. The only time they're of any use is when I fly my drone and can jump from looking at the controller to seeing where the drone is seamlessly. At other times I'm forever holding my head at odd angles to see things with them.
I did go back to check if they were set OK and in the controlled environment of Vision Express, everything was crisp and sharp and good. But I don't live or work in Vision Express!
I did go back to check if they were set OK and in the controlled environment of Vision Express, everything was crisp and sharp and good. But I don't live or work in Vision Express!
I'm in a similar position.
I've needed reading glasses for a few years now, but my distance vision has been fine.
I use glasses around the house, or wear one contact lens to allow me to read/write when working (race school instructor).
Had an eye test on Tuesday and my vision has deteriorated a little, and I can now justify a distance correction.
In the short term I'm trialing contacts of different strengths - one eye for close, one eye for distance. So far so good, but I think I'll get a set of varifocals as well.
The lens thing sounds weird, and I guess it's not for everyone, but it works for me.
I've needed reading glasses for a few years now, but my distance vision has been fine.
I use glasses around the house, or wear one contact lens to allow me to read/write when working (race school instructor).
Had an eye test on Tuesday and my vision has deteriorated a little, and I can now justify a distance correction.
In the short term I'm trialing contacts of different strengths - one eye for close, one eye for distance. So far so good, but I think I'll get a set of varifocals as well.
The lens thing sounds weird, and I guess it's not for everyone, but it works for me.
Specsavers suggested I switched to varifocals 2-3yrs ago, doggedly I stuck with normal lenses.
Finally switched Jan last year, they warned me they could take some getting used to but I adapted pretty easily. I do still take them off for reading (like now!) but that’s habit rather than necessity.
They can be a nuisance occasionally but overall I’m glad I made the move.
Finally switched Jan last year, they warned me they could take some getting used to but I adapted pretty easily. I do still take them off for reading (like now!) but that’s habit rather than necessity.
They can be a nuisance occasionally but overall I’m glad I made the move.
I was 57 when I went from off-the-shelf reader glasses to prescription bi-focals. My optician recommended these to me even though they have ("The-Old-Man Look") about them! I use them for driving too and whilst distance viewing wasn't too bad, watching the TV was like I'd got a newer hi-def. model...!
Switched to varifocals a few years ago. Bought some of the less expensive lenses on offer but never got on with them.
Optician suggested the better quality lenses were the answer so I stumped up and paid a bit more. These are so much better and work really well for me.
Mrs Scrump moved to varifocals recently, she went straight for some of the better lenses (although different to mine) and has found them to be really good.
My experience is you get what you pay for and with varifocals the quality does make a difference.
Edit: looked up which lenses I have: Zeiss DriveSafe.
Optician suggested the better quality lenses were the answer so I stumped up and paid a bit more. These are so much better and work really well for me.
Mrs Scrump moved to varifocals recently, she went straight for some of the better lenses (although different to mine) and has found them to be really good.
My experience is you get what you pay for and with varifocals the quality does make a difference.
Edit: looked up which lenses I have: Zeiss DriveSafe.
Edited by Scrump on Friday 5th March 09:52
Scrump said:
Switched to varifocals a few years ago. Bought some of the less expensive lenses on offer but never got on with them.
Optician suggested the better quality lenses were the answer so I stumped up and paid a bit more. These are so much better and work really well for me.
Mrs Scrump moved to varifocals recently, she went straight for some of the better lenses (although different to mine) and has found them to be really good.
My experience is you get what you pay for and with varifocals the quality does make a difference.
This.Optician suggested the better quality lenses were the answer so I stumped up and paid a bit more. These are so much better and work really well for me.
Mrs Scrump moved to varifocals recently, she went straight for some of the better lenses (although different to mine) and has found them to be really good.
My experience is you get what you pay for and with varifocals the quality does make a difference.
Pay for the better quality lenses which have less "dead spots".
I'm 67, worn specs for distance since I was 10.
Went to contacts, one long one short about 20 year ago and they were great but slowly my eyes deteriorated and I found I couldn't get a decent set up so went varifocal. No problems what so ever at first but slowly my eyes have changed and even with them I find I'm taking my specs off to see close up.
(on to find the screwdriver, off to hit the screw but wrong driver so on to find the phillips driver and off to hit the screw again - becomes tiresome but I just accept it now).
One thing about varifocals - driving - with varifocal I can see distance to drive and the instruments on the dash, with specs only for distance the dash was blurre and I couldn't read the speedo (sorry officer).
Went to contacts, one long one short about 20 year ago and they were great but slowly my eyes deteriorated and I found I couldn't get a decent set up so went varifocal. No problems what so ever at first but slowly my eyes have changed and even with them I find I'm taking my specs off to see close up.
(on to find the screwdriver, off to hit the screw but wrong driver so on to find the phillips driver and off to hit the screw again - becomes tiresome but I just accept it now).
One thing about varifocals - driving - with varifocal I can see distance to drive and the instruments on the dash, with specs only for distance the dash was blurre and I couldn't read the speedo (sorry officer).
I'm 50 and I've worn specs since I was about 2 1/2 due to an accident.
Anyway, a few years ago my optician said I needed varifocal lenses. I was gutted.
I spent years with " Holsten Pils Production " lenses as a kid and an adult, and have, for the past 20 years, benefitted from high index lenses, so only a few mm thick instead of 12mm thickness they used to be ...then varifocals.
Anyway, the first pair I had took a bit of getting used to, and then the next pair did too, a couple of years later. Maybe a couple of weeks. I really notice the difference when I put on an old pair of specs for a grubby job, meaning I can't see much at all. Mr. Magoo, me.
I'm at the other end of the scale from you though, J4CKO..... +5.75 !
Anyway, a few years ago my optician said I needed varifocal lenses. I was gutted.
I spent years with " Holsten Pils Production " lenses as a kid and an adult, and have, for the past 20 years, benefitted from high index lenses, so only a few mm thick instead of 12mm thickness they used to be ...then varifocals.
Anyway, the first pair I had took a bit of getting used to, and then the next pair did too, a couple of years later. Maybe a couple of weeks. I really notice the difference when I put on an old pair of specs for a grubby job, meaning I can't see much at all. Mr. Magoo, me.
I'm at the other end of the scale from you though, J4CKO..... +5.75 !
I got the most expensive varios I could find, and had to send them back inside a week.
The problem for me?
No matter where I looked, something was out of focus, just couldn't cope, luckily I can get by with reading glasses for things like pill box instructions and long distance glasses for driving, I can see dash etc just fine over or under the glasses. No more varifocals for me.
The problem for me?
No matter where I looked, something was out of focus, just couldn't cope, luckily I can get by with reading glasses for things like pill box instructions and long distance glasses for driving, I can see dash etc just fine over or under the glasses. No more varifocals for me.
RC1807 said:
I'm 50 and I've worn specs since I was about 2 1/2 due to an accident.
Anyway, a few years ago my optician said I needed varifocal lenses. I was gutted.
I spent years with " Holsten Pils Production " lenses as a kid and an adult, and have, for the past 20 years, benefitted from high index lenses, so only a few mm thick instead of 12mm thickness they used to be ...then varifocals.
Anyway, the first pair I had took a bit of getting used to, and then the next pair did too, a couple of years later. Maybe a couple of weeks. I really notice the difference when I put on an old pair of specs for a grubby job, meaning I can't see much at all. Mr. Magoo, me.
I'm at the other end of the scale from you though, J4CKO..... +5.75 !
My missus is -9 or more, next level prescription after this isnt glasses, its a Labrador.Anyway, a few years ago my optician said I needed varifocal lenses. I was gutted.
I spent years with " Holsten Pils Production " lenses as a kid and an adult, and have, for the past 20 years, benefitted from high index lenses, so only a few mm thick instead of 12mm thickness they used to be ...then varifocals.
Anyway, the first pair I had took a bit of getting used to, and then the next pair did too, a couple of years later. Maybe a couple of weeks. I really notice the difference when I put on an old pair of specs for a grubby job, meaning I can't see much at all. Mr. Magoo, me.
I'm at the other end of the scale from you though, J4CKO..... +5.75 !
Order two pairs of Varifocals for Specsavers, went for the most expensive lenses "Super Digital" and a pair of cheap single vision prescription sunglasses, £540, will see how I get on with them.
Tyre Smoke said:
I wear varifocal contact lenses. Wouldn't wear anything else.
I used to have daily disposable ones, but have moved to extended wear now, that last a couple of weeks. I take them out in the evening and wear my specs for TV.
I will get sorted with the glasses and then have a Contact Lens check and perhaps get some, used to wear dailies for years and they were great but the stock I have the prescription is out of date and if I wear them to go to the supermarket or whatever, reading labels and stuff can be tricky.I used to have daily disposable ones, but have moved to extended wear now, that last a couple of weeks. I take them out in the evening and wear my specs for TV.
Pickled Piper said:
I may be an exception to the general trend. It took me ten minutes to get used to my varifocals. I love them and am on my second pair.
Both wife and I got our first pairs at the same time from Specsavers and it wasn’t even 10 mins - they just worked. One pair had Essilor lenses but the second ‘free’ pair had Specsavers own lenses - neither of us could tell the difference. We feel it was down to the Dispenser - she seemed brilliant. Next time - she’d gone. The pair I got were hopeless - image was jumping about all over the place. They remade them without hesitation and I’ve put up with them but there’s an uncertainty about them I never had before. My wife got a pair from Costco, with Essilor lenses, and she’s never been 100% happy with them.
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