Thinking of having varifocals?

I had an eye test today and was offered varifocals. I declined because my head is never still long enough to find the right position to focus, ('m always keeping eyes on dogs and DGC on the loose). The optician, Boots, didn't push it. I might be persuaded at a later date.

I have bi focals which work for me. I can’t have varifocals because I would probably fall flat on my face. I find them particularly useful for watching tv and reading the subtitles.

Went to my local optician this afternoon and after explaining that whilst I like the confidence the single lenses give when out and about but the inconvenience when shopping or in a restaurant for example she said that what I need are indoor lenses which cater for close and middle distance but are not varifocal. The cost is £285 plus frames. They are Zeiss Office 1.5. Fingers crossed that they work!

I’ve worn them for years. I had no problem getting used to them. Just put my first pair on and I was away. I just love not having to different pairs for different activities. Yes they are expensive but I wear them all day, every day.

Interesting post especially as I had a first Hospital Appointment today to check my retinas. The Dr I saw said to me do I have a good High St Optician to which I explained I'd had a 'flirtation' with a very well known chain(SS) as I was under the impression my 'local ' didnt have such an indepth scanner. In the end I have returned to my High independent who DO now have a scanner .
I didn't like the Variofocals that SS had made for me as when going up a step in the curb the curb seems to rear up which was rectified. The Dr said that SS is very hit and miss and I deffo got a miss but don't be put off Variofocals I love wearing them. Good luck

I had a different experience with our local Specsavers and after returning my varifocals four times I went to Asda, my last four pairs, over three years, as I get one pair of sunglasses, have had no problems. I’m due back for my two yearly check later this year and I’ll be returning to Asda.

I’ve had varifocals for a long time - to start with, you feel strange as Grandmaofone says but it soon settles and you will wonder how you ever managed without them. I wouldn’t buy them online, although many do I suppose. There’s an InstoreOptician in Tesco

At first, I was hesitating at stairs, steps, escalators, kerbs, up or down, hazards even well sighted people encounter -you will be fine, there is good advice on here, as ever.

I’ve had varifocals for about 15 years. It took me about 3 months initially to get used to them.

Please please use a very reputable opticians, if they are not fitted corrected or the lenses marked properly on a test pair they just won’t work as meant.

I got my first pair in 1984. Perfect from the word go.
I’ve had some duffers telling me I will get used to them when I’ve had a prescription that I knew wasn’t right. I soon put them right 🤣

Re cost Mazgg, I had the full works and coatings, they cost me £260 with mid price frames. Last time, I went to a private optician and they cost me over £600. The lenses from specsavers are far better and customer service, including the test, could not have been better

Specsavers were excellent, very careful when they measured so that the lenses were perfect and vision with my new prescription could not be better. I had my new specs three weeks ago. Would never in a million years suggest getting a cheap pair from a specs discounter. It involves a great deal more than just the prescription

I couldn't get on with varifocals and my optician changed them to 2 separate pairs of glasses - 1 pair for distance and the other for close up. Yes, it's a hassle to keep changing them over, but it's better than falling down the stairs or bumping into things.

I know this is an old thread but still relavent. I wore varifocal glasses for many years without having a problem. I couldn't adapt to the last ones I had and didn't feel safe going down stairs or judging the height of a curb After going back to the optician 4 or 5 times I used my old ones then went to another optician and got single lens distance and used my old varifocals for reading (there wasn't much change in the prescription). I would really like to go back to varifocals and have been told that it really depends on the quality (cost) of the lenses chosen.
Can anyone give me an idea of how much this is likely to cost and which lenses are best.

Probably. They have hundreds of styles to choose from. It's worth a look, anyway.

Thanks a lot for that Doodledog. I always wondered how glasses direct worked with varifocals. My biggest problem is that I prefer rimless glasses. Do they do those?

I have varifocals and having worn contacts most of my life I am having difficulty adapting. The walls seem to curve and I can’t judge distance if I want to lean on something ( I have scoliosis and frequently need to stop and lean) I’m hoping it will get better. Feeling very low about it. Won’t even dare drive.

I've bought online. I get a prescription from the optician, then buy from Glasses Direct.

As I wear varifocals, the first time I ordered I had to send a photo of my face with a credit card on my forehead (a Boots card or similar is fine). This is so their optician can measure your pupil distance, which doesn't change, so you only have to do it once. Then they send you the glasses, and you have 90 days to wear them and see if they are suitable.

I've worn varifocals for ages, and have never had a problem. I recommend Glasses Direct - they also send out frames for you to try before you buy to see if they suit you.

Sparklefizz

May I ask - when people recommend "expensive lenses" how much are we talking about?

My lenses were just under £400 for a pair, but I think it varies depending on your individual prescription, and the make and quality of the lenses, and also on which opticians you use. It’s not something I’d be comfortable buying online myself, but I’m sure it would be possible to do that too.

BlueSapphire

PS, have varifocal sunglasses as well!

I do too, as part of my 2 for the price of 1 deal. So useful!

PS, have varifocal sunglasses as well!

Have had varifocals for over 30 years, had no problems at all - go for it!

May I ask - when people recommend "expensive lenses" how much are we talking about?

I would never be without my varifocals.

I like mine, in fact I’ve had a new prescription this week for two new pairs, one with transitions lenses, one normal. I’ve got astigmatism so I have to have the expensive lenses, but it’s really worth it because once they are on I forget them, I could not be doing with changing them all the time.