Varifocals ot two pairs of glasses?

I have just purchased, at great expense, my first pair of varifocals, and they are not doing what I hoped they would do. My main problem is at work where I go from computer to writing, and constantly changing glasses, but they are the worst of both worlds, the monitor is much less clear and I really have to squint to read anything on it, then I look down and that’s not clear either.
So I’m back to swapping around, I admit the television is clearer, but you have to sit completely still, otherwise it blurs, also my eyes feel very strained.
Not for me.

Sara1954

I have just purchased, at great expense, my first pair of varifocals, and they are not doing what I hoped they would do. My main problem is at work where I go from computer to writing, and constantly changing glasses, but they are the worst of both worlds, the monitor is much less clear and I really have to squint to read anything on it, then I look down and that’s not clear either.
So I’m back to swapping around, I admit the television is clearer, but you have to sit completely still, otherwise it blurs, also my eyes feel very strained.
Not for me.

It sounds like you need a different type of varifocal lens. Try looking at the different types there are here and see if you can see what would work better for you. www.specsavers.co.uk/glasses/glasses-lenses/varifocals

I have no affiliation with the company except for being a happy customer.

I thought bi-focal & varifocal were the same

I wear varifocals no problem. It always amuses me when someone (mainly women) remove their glasses for photographs, when they probably look much older without glasses
It also irritates me when I want to show something to someone and they have to hunt for their reading glasses, then they put them away and next minute need them again.

I got varifocals in my 50s as I was working as a learning support assistant and otherwise needed two pairs, one to see the board in class and a pair to read the pupils' work. They are weird at first when going down stairs, but otherwise fine. What I did realise was that when driving longer journeys, especially on motorways, I had a tendency to relax and let my head fall back which meant that I was looking at the road ahead through the reading part! I had to train myself to stay more upright and adjust the headrest in the car to stop that happening. I have heard of people struggling with them but I wouldn't be without them now. Certainly beats having two pairs and occasionally leaving one pair on a desk and having to go back for them!
The last time I got a new pair, the optician's assistant insisted I mustn't wear them to drive home as my prescription had been changed and must get used to them at home. I'd never been told that before and thought it was a bit over the top but did as I was told! I'm sure she was being ridiculously over cautious!

I never liked the idea of varifocals so have three pairs - one pair for distance, one pair for reading and the other pair for middle distance - specifically playing music, especially the piano. I need all three but the most important to me, and the pair I really cannot manage without now, is the pair of middle distance glass. I keep them on the end of the piano, unless l need them elsewhere.

If I were you, I'd go for varifocals. I wore varifocals for many year with no problem at all. Now I have Meniere's Disease and was advised that I should not wear varifocals, although I had no apparent problem with them. So now I have separate reading and distance glasses and it's driving me crazy! Because reading glasses aren't just for reading, they're for anything close up. Fastening buttons, putting earrings on, looking at prices in the shop, checking laundry labels, examining my pot plants for midges etc.And each time I have to keep switching glasses. Not only a huge faff but the glasses tend to get mucky too and I'm forever cleaning them.

Mt61

I thought bi-focal & varifocal were the same

No, bi-focal have your reading glasses situated opposite and under the lower edge of your pupil and long distance above. When you want to read something, you look down.
Varifocals have 3 different areas in the lens which will allow you to see close up, middle distance and far away.

I have varifocals and I love them. I have zeist lenses and the thinnest I can get for my prescription which is very high. I always wear lindberg frames because they are light.
I have the above purely for comfort, and the way they work for me. I would not wear anything else. My varifocal glasses are one of the big expenses I could not do without.

I’ve had varifocals since 1980.
They were absolutely perfect. That has been my benchmark ever since. I know when they’re not right and make that very clear.
One year I had 3 different opticians get it wrong. I nearly gave up when a friend recommended the one I have now.
Don’t let anyone ever tell you that ^you’ll get used to them^😡

I have worn varifocals for about 20 years. I have been short sighted since I was 11 and when I needed reading glasses it was a no brainer to switch to varifocals as otherwise I would have been switching glasses every 5 minutes. Like others have said, it took a while to get used to them, and I am still wary of going down steep stairs. My daughter once said - mom you go down stairs like a very old lady! It's having to adjust to the focus on the glasses. I'm another one who puts them on first thing and takes them off at night.

Gogo84

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.

Maybe because they only need them for reading.

I tried varifocals too but just couldn't get used to them and ended up with two pairs, one for driving and one for reading.

cc, I have glasses for driving, prescription sunglasses for driving, prescription sunglasses for reading, three pairs of reading glasses, one at home, one in my handbag, and one at work, I have some for using my computer, and I was hoping to narrow that right down, but even sitting watching television, I’m finding them really irritating, they really hurt my eyes, and any tiny head movement, makes everything blurry.

I'm an oddball and wear contacts... one for reading and the other for distance. It works for me. Your brain manages to know what eye does the job for close or distance.

In the evenings I take off my contacts and have a distance pair for the TV, and close up for reading or knitting.

Twinsgranny

Hello, I need some advice. Have bought cheap reading glasses for many years but I find myself needing them more and more and now really need opticians ones specific to my eyes. .Optician says now need also need glasses for driving and tv . Can’t decide whether to get separate pairs or go all in for varifocals? But guess if you have these you need to wear the whole time?.?? And not sure am ready for that, I still prefer myself without glasses not having always worn them ! But am in mid seventies so know thats a bit silly! Also some people say they can’t get used to them. So interested in what others have chosen to do and how people generally have got on with varifocals? Thank you

Varifocals for me for more than. 40 years I love them, Why would you want to be swapping glasses all the time when one pair does it all. if you get reactor lenses at the same time you don't need sun glasses either. Win win

Three pairs of glasses for me: reading, driving. and TV - the latter are just old prescription driving glasses. Plus non prescription sunglasses.

I have varifocal contact lenses, absolute game changer if you’re ok with messing with your eyes.

I’ve had varifocals for almost 2 years but am not happy reading with them. I ordered simple distance glasses which I keep in the car and often use when walking into the supermarket but need my reading glasses for checking the product labels. The varifocals are fine for walking around places like our local lake, and excellent for watching television but i don’t need any help walking round my house, & I only ever use reading glasses for gardening. Sorry, not much help.

I couldnt get on with varifocals and just use old fashioned bifocals, my distance prescription is not very strong so 1 don’t notice the transition in use.
Having reading glasses was a real pain for me

I love my varifocals. I get them from my independent optician who spends ages getting it right. And I can easily pop in to get them adjusted if Im not happy. I have one pair with blue titanium frames made by a Danish company that are super light so I hardly know Im wearing them, and a Prue Leith type pink and purple pair which I wear when I want to look a bit more funky. They both have reactolite lenses. Yes, they cost £££s but if Ive got to wear glasses then I still want to look stylish.

Maybe I need to take mine back, because I can’t see myself being able to wear them.
They seem to be not fit for any purpose, disappointing.

I have varifocals which are reactolite. Have used for years, wouldn't have anything else. Mine have three fields I think, covering all uses including computer, tv, reading, driving, etc. It is important that fields are in the right place, so need to be very specifically fitted. A good optician can tell immediately if they are wrong.

I once bought a cheaper pair of varifocals and had to turn my head to read road signs. I had changed my optician. Went back to consult original optician, who told me that often cheaper brands don't have all the fields for your eyes. They are expensive but worth every penny in my opinion

My varifocals are great. Next time I will have the ones you can wear as sunglasses too. However my husband tried them and fell. Most shops let you try them for a while and return if they don't work for you.