Varifocals ot two pairs of glasses?

If you do a lot of close work like embroidery/crochet or painting/drawing then my advice is go for 2 pairs of glasses and have them for close work, slightly enlarging, I also have one pair upstairs one pair down. I'm short sighted so need specs for driving, TV, etc not reading yet, but read and computer with those off. But when they day comes you cant thread a needle for sewing, or place the needle for hand stitching get that pair of glasses, varifocals dont cover enough of an area imo.

I cannot praise the Specsaver Reactolite (same as transition lenses?) enough - for safe driving in this winter low sun and some night driving - they are terrific cutting down dangerous glare..

After a few years of reading glasses I got fed up, tried varifocals didnt like them so got bifocals, wear them all tne time.

No vanity here

Patsy70

I had varifocals for years and had no problem getting used to them. Now had cataract surgery, and no longer need them, but if necessary I would choose to have varifocals again, rather than faffing about with two pairs.

I have the same problem. I’ve managed to cope with my old varifocals since September when I had my first cataract operation. I had the second eye operated on two weeks ago and am now wearing a cheap pair of reading glasses which are fine for a few weeks till I have my po. I will still need glasses for reading and will probably choose varifocals again.

I wear varifocals DH has two pairs. He's forever looking for one pair or the other, I just put mine on first thing and forget about them. I prefer my way.

I’ve worn varifocals with transition lenses for years and would not want to change to two pairs of glasses.
Specsavers stopped offering my usual type of varifocal lenses a couple of years ago, I couldn’t get on with the alternative so I tried, thankfully with success, going to an independent optician .

I have just agreed to try a pair of varifocals ordered from Specsavers who are happy to allow a trial period.
I realised that wearing my long distance /driving glasses meant that I couldn't also reliably see the dashboard, especially in the dark which seemed dangerous.
I'll report back on the varifocals which I'm getting next week!

I didn't get on with transition lenses as they took so long to adjust from out to inside especially since my house is quite bright with big windows and whdnever i walked near the windows they changed. I felt forever in sunglasses mode..

I have 2 pairs of varifocals, one pair for almost everything and one pair of varifocal sunglasses to drive with. At a pinch for reading but i far prefer reading glasses for that as I'm a voracious reader and they're so much more comfortable.
Then 2 pairs of reading glasses, one in the lounge and one for the bedroom. Sorted but took a bit of experimenting!

I have worn varifocals for twenty years.
When I was teaching, I needed two pairs of glasses at a time, one pair was always on my head and I kept breaking the legs.
My DIL an optician, persuaded me to try varifocals, I've never looked back.

If possible, get transision lenses which act as sunglasses.

I have had varifocals but didn't get on with them.

I now read and use my phone without glasses, but I put on my ordinary prescription glasses for watching TV and going out.

Eyesight is different for everyone. If you can go without glasses for close up reading, then you should only need one pair for TV and driving.

85 After many years of varifocals I was advised to change to two pairs with separate reading glasses. Really miss the varifocals and hope it was not a ploy to double the cost. Dislike faffing around with two pairs. May go to a different optician (used by family members in London) for advice.

Allira

spottysocks

I couldn't get on with varifocals, even after two weeks they made me feel a bit dizzy and sick, so took them back and exchanged them for bifocals which I got used to within a couple of days. Works for me.

Same for me, spottysocks.
I gave the varifocals three weeks but still felt sick and dizzy so the optician changed them for bifocals.

I like reading glasses for actually reading books, a Kindle or close work.

I keep mine on all day for reading books, or on my kindle, close work, distance and the laptop.

The only drawback I find with my bifocals is when looking at labels on the bottom shelf in the supermarket which is not quite close up or distance.

For the greater part of my life neve r needed to wear specs. In my mid-70's had cataracts done, mainly to ensure thee would be no problem with me continuing to drive> Suddenly I needed to wear specs for reading - it was areal shock for me although I did manage with cheapish over the counter reading glasses.
As the years have gone on, I no longer drive, but do need good glasses for reading anything, plus long distance for tv.
As like to knit when watching tv I use varifocals then so I can watch tv and still read my patterns.

Have a second pair of vafifocals which grey up when used as sun glasses. These live in my handbag, so know I always have 'both' sorts of specs with be a all times

spottysocks

I couldn't get on with varifocals, even after two weeks they made me feel a bit dizzy and sick, so took them back and exchanged them for bifocals which I got used to within a couple of days. Works for me.

Same for me, spottysocks.
I gave the varifocals three weeks but still felt sick and dizzy so the optician changed them for bifocals.

I like reading glasses for actually reading books, a Kindle or close work.

DancingDuck

I have just found myself in the same predicament as my eyes have deteriorated such that I need them for reading now as well.
I am having a pair made up as varifocals too see how I get on and I have chosen another second 'free' pair which I will get made up once I decide if the varifocals are OK. The 'well-known' high street opticians will change my first pair for free if I don't get on with them so I think its worth a try.

That sounds like the same opticians who I bought from. I was so delighted with my first pair that I hated having to wait two weeks before I could have the second pair made up as sunglasses.
I hope yours are as successful as mine.

I have worn varifocals for over 30 years with no problems. My advice would be to buy the best quality lens that you can afford. As with everything there is adequate, better and best. Also spend some time with your optician discussing how much time you spend doing various activities so that they get the 'zoning'right for you and you should have no problems.

I have varifocals, put them on as I'm getting out of bed, take them off when I'm in bed. They are always on unless I'm having a shower. My husband won't have varifocals and spends too much of his life moaning about not being able to find his glasses.

I have just found myself in the same predicament as my eyes have deteriorated such that I need them for reading now as well.
I am having a pair made up as varifocals too see how I get on and I have chosen another second 'free' pair which I will get made up once I decide if the varifocals are OK. The 'well-known' high street opticians will change my first pair for free if I don't get on with them so I think its worth a try.

I’m 72 and luckily only need distance glasses and just take them off for reading/ close work. However my DD and SIL both in their 50s wear varifocals with no problems.

I couldn't get on with varifocals, even after two weeks they made me feel a bit dizzy and sick, so took them back and exchanged them for bifocals which I got used to within a couple of days. Works for me.

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.

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

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.

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.