Bifocals And Varifocals

[Hopkirk]

Does anyone have experience of these?

What are your experiences, and which is better?

[taichiperson]

Do they still make bifocals? I have varifocals and get on with them just fine. Some people find them a bit disorientating - you can feel a bit 'floaty' but it's never been a problem for me. I do however have separate reading glasses as the area on the lens given over to near objects is far too small for me. When I first wore mine at the opticians I was told to turn my head to scan the lines as I read!

[Hopkirk]

Separate reading glasses for reading?

Doesn't that defeat the object?

[taichiperson]

I can read with varifocals but if I'm sitting at my laptop for a long time or reading in bed, reading glasses are far better. I can't drive in them though!

[Buenchico]

As Taichiperson suggests, the trick with varifocals is to know when to move your eyes and when to move your head! When you first wear them you might experience a sensation akin to motion sickness when, say, you look down at your feet to check where the kerb is. After a while though, your brain will work out what to do.

[Hopkirk]

Can't drive in the varifocals? Why not?

[taichiperson]

I can't drive with the reading glasses Hopkirk!

[Buenchico]

I think that Taichiperson meant that she can't drive with her reading glasses, Hopkirk

[Buenchico]

Oops!

Too slow, as usual ;-)

[Samuraisan]

I have had varifocals for years and get on just fine with them. When you get new ones indeed you do feel a bit funny, especially looking down, but you get used to it very quickly. I also use reading glasses to read in bed, but I have no problem with them driving, or working at the computer.

[Hopkirk]

Yes, I've got reading glasses, and I can't even walk safely wearing them.

[Buenchico]

>>> I can't even walk safely wearing them

I think that you're confusing reading glasses with beer glasses, Hopkirk ;-)

[Hopkirk]

I have a strong prescription for long sightedness, so pay a lot extra for the thinnest possible lenses.

Do you know if they can do varifocals in these, or do you have to accept standard lenses?

[Buenchico]

Almost any combination of sight problems can be coped with by varifocals, Hopkirk. The various types of varifocal lenses available are shown here:
http://www.specsavers.co.uk/glasses/lens-options

[Hopkirk]

I'll nip in and have a chat with them.

I would like to try out bi versus vari before shelling out, but doubt if they have samples in my prescription.

[Jackdaw33]

Had varifocals once and could not get used to them. Bifocals for me every time.

[melv16]

My first ever pair of glasses were varies. It took me a while to get used to them, but I persevered and I now don't have any problems.
Boots were doing a bogof, so I got a pair of plain ones for driving.

[Buenchico]

Quote:
"Try varifocal glasses over three months. If you can’t get on with them within the three-month period, we'll exchange them for bifocals, or two pairs of single vision glasses (one for reading, the other for distance). We’ll also refund any price difference. No quibble, no fuss."

Perhaps that offer might be just what you need, Hopkirk?
http://www.specsavers.co.uk/offers/three-month-varifocal-trial

[Hopkirk]

Thanks Chris, that is interesting.

[rosyposy]

I have had varifocals for years and love them,no more changing specs to see prices etc. I do use reading glasses for close work tho,as I end up lifting them up which is a bit of a pain. When I got my latest pair the assistant suggested I try the middle size varifocal,there are three sizes I think.They are fine for reading but not 100percent for driving.I went back after a couple of months and they are quite happy to change them back to the size I prefer, (Specsavers by the way) and even said I could choose a different frame if I would like to,which I am going to do,as the frame I have was 85pounds I was quite surprised by this so I would say that you could try them out Hopkirk without any worry at all.

[askyourgran]

I have varifocals which I find pretty good, I no longer have to change to my reading glasses when in a supermarket. The only bugbear I have is that before i got varifocals I thought my distance eyesight was good. I only really needed reading glasses. The optician persuaded me that distance lens would 'sharpen thing up' I agree they did, but now I seem to be unable to do without them.