Eye Test - Bifocals /Varifocals

[smudge]

I had an eye test at SpecSavers a couple of weeks ago & picked my new bi-focals on Saturday. The new spec's are fine for reading, TV & driving, but I am really struggling with trying to read anything on my pc monitor. I phoned & spoke to a different Optician at SS & was told I should have been offered varifocals for mid vision too. To be on the safe side, she is going to re-test my eyes FOC tomorrow & depending on the results, will offer me what I should have had in the first place.

Is there anyone on AB that have had problems in this way, i.e., having to have their eyes re-tested within a fortnight?

Also, has anyone gone from bifocals to varifocals & how did you get on with them? Thank you.

[landie]

Varifocals are OK once you aclimatise. The problems are going downstairs and reading, you end up like a nodding dog (or you have to move the page up and down). I retain several sets of readers for PC'ing, and of course reading.

[sddsddean]

My Dad tried varifocals and just couldn't get on with them, so the optician offered him trifocals! (I didn't even know you could get them!). The centre strip is only about 6 or 7mm wide, but they worked fine for him. My wife has varifocals and she has no problems at all, so I think you are just going to have a go and see how you get on with varifocals. Its just an individual thing.

[Quizmonster]

Dear Smudge, this isn't really an answer to your questions, rather a comment on the problem. When using bifocals whilst on the computer, I found after a time that I had developed a sore neck and even had medical treatment for it. That didn't produce results, but I eventually worked out for myself what was wrong. I was tilting my head back slightly so that I could look at the monitor through the bottom part of my lenses! I went back to the optician and asked them to make me a pair of specs with only the bottom prescription. They did and I've had no difficulties since. I hope your situation works out well, too. Cheers

[fibifooz]

I have varifocals and I'd highly recommend them. I found them very easy to get on with.  Hope you do too.

[Chillum]

I'm at the needing varifocals stage, are they much more expensive than the normal specs?

[smudge]

Hi everyone, thank you so much for all your replies.

I went back for a re-test this morning & was told my new prescription bifocal lenses (which I picked up on Saturday) are fine for readinng, TV & driving. Whilst I was there, I sat at one of their PC's & could see much better on their 15" flat screen,  than I can on my new 17" flat screen! So I thnk my problem is a combination of new spec's & a new monitor, all in the same week!

They offered me a choice of varifocal lenses, but was also told that before I change to them, I should really give my new bifocals at least a couple of weeks trial, using my new monitor. I have tried changing the setting on it, but it's still not right. Maybe I'll go back to Staples & change it.

Quizzie - I had been doing exactly what you had been doing for a few years - tilting my head back & using the reading part of my spec's to look at the monitor! I ended up in excrutiating pain & had to have a steroid/cortisone injection in my neck! Posture is so important!

Thank you again for replying - what a great crowd you are!

[smudge]

Well I've tried to persevere with my new bifocals, but I'm back to Specsavers again tomorrow to order varifocals. At least I'll be able to see the text on my screen - hopefully!

[Marv]

Hi smudge
Yes I had an eye test recently and was advised to have varifocals and I advised them that I was a HGV driver so all round clear vision was important. The assistant said that her husband was also a lorry driver and found varifocals an assett. I collected the glasses last week and although I said that I wasn't happy with the way I had to 'search' for the best viewing spot and that all round this area was blurred plus the fact that the right lens wasn't focussed in any position, she told me to wear them and my eyes would get accustomed to them. Well it is nearly a week and I am not getting used to them and I get headaches after wearing them for a short time. Luckily I have a spare pair of my orriginal glasses, which are brilliant. As there is a 30 day warranty on them I am going back today and asking for a retest as the right lens is no way focussed. My advise to anyone is not to leave the opticians if you are not entirely satisfied as I feel that your eyes shouldn't need to get used to the lenses, they should be set up for your eyes from the start.
P.S. If her husband had his eyes tested at this optician then I hope I don't meet him coming the other way.

[smudge]

Hi Marv - thanks for your answer, although I was quite surprised to receive it, as I'd asked the question in Feb '05!

However, I've been wearing varifocals since then & to be honest it did take a few weeks to get used to them, but I couldn't be without them now.

I can read, sew, use the pc & drive using the same pair of glasses - although I don't wear them all day.

I hope you get sorted out soon & are happy with the results...

[smudge]

P.S. I can also watch the telly without squinting!

[Marv]

Whoops
That will teach me to read things more carefully. I was looking for any kind of clue as I had this problem with wearing (for the first time) varifoculs and finding this site and your question I did what I always do and jumped straight in (foolishly). However, now that I have read it properly I have found valuable information in it. Thanks for getting back to me and relaying your experience, which has helped. Thanks again.

[smudge]

That's okay, you're very welcome Marv.

Good luck & happy viewing! ;o}

[anitacuellar]

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