Varifocal Lenses

newbiejim · 30 Jan 2014 at 12:32

The tiem has come I may need these, initial research shows there seems to be a huge range of quality/vendors etc, anyone any useful information on this minefield?

Is it worth getting the best?

Online vendors ok?

Who are the premium lens manufacturers?

Any other caveats?

thep02 · 30 Jan 2014 at 12:51

Same boat I spend my life with my glasses hanging off 1 ear looking at close things and having to put them up for thing further than 50cm and vice versa, mates have had loads of problems with bi or vari focals, so its a big step I've put off for er...2 years.

newbiejim · 30 Jan 2014 at 12:56

For me I need them for @ PC, reading etc, I seem to be constantly walking around specs in hand taking them on and off etc.

I've been quoted between £200 (specsavers) - £275 (independent) today.......... (to reglaze my frames)

You could try these guys and let me know if they are good ;-)

http://www.reglazemyglasses.com/

Simon42 · 30 Jan 2014 at 19:15

Have you considered multifocal contact lenses?

Over recent years there has been a big increase in the choice of types available and the last time I checked there were three types that are daily disposable. I have both multifocal contacts and varifocal glasses, and the contact lenses are better for most things and great for computer use due to no distortion across a wide area. The only downside with the lenses is ultimate clarity, but even with a +2 reading add I still find them superior to varifocal glasses or two pairs of glasses.

If you're going with varifocal glasses and use wide or multiple screens do go for the lenses with the widest area of vision without distortion as that can be really annoying otherwise.

thep02 · 30 Jan 2014 at 19:42

I'll ask about those^ at the optician, ta.

SpeedFreak · 30 Jan 2014 at 19:52

Premium are Zeiss followed by Essilor

Go to an opticians to be properly fit for varifocals, it's definitely not an online purchase item. Any reasonable optician will have a refund policy if you have issues with them. Vision Express certainly used to and I can't imagine it would have changed.

newbiejim · 30 Jan 2014 at 20:59

Simon42 said:
Have you considered multifocal contact lenses?

Over recent years there has been a big increase in the choice of types available and the last time I checked there were three types that are daily disposable. I have both multifocal contacts and varifocal glasses, and the contact lenses are better for most things and great for computer use due to no distortion across a wide area. The only downside with the lenses is ultimate clarity, but even with a +2 reading add I still find them superior to varifocal glasses or two pairs of glasses.

If you're going with varifocal glasses and use wide or multiple screens do go for the lenses with the widest area of vision without distortion as that can be really annoying otherwise.

SpeedFreak said:
Premium are Zeiss followed by Essilor

Go to an opticians to be properly fit for varifocals, it's definitely not an online purchase item. Any reasonable optician will have a refund policy if you have issues with them. Vision Express certainly used to and I can't imagine it would have changed.

Some excellent advice there which I will heed, I had thought that having an actual consultation might be the best, thanks.........now I need to feel the pain of parting with cash lol