Varifocal Lenses

[zom247]

It's now time for me to ditch my reading and distance glasses and try varifocals, it will cut down the amount of glasses I have at home and the increasing frustration when I realise I have to change the pair I'm wearing and can't find the right ones.

To that end, is there any/much difference in where I buy them from? I know there's different lens manufacturers but not really sure which optician I should buy them from as they all seem to use different lenses (Zeiss, Essilor etc). I've seen prices of up to £500 but don't really want to spend that much if I can help it.

 

[zom247]

I'm just trying out my 1st set of varifocals. Got the cheapest set from boots. Lenses cost £25. Technically they work, but almost unusable in reality. The spot of focus for computer screen work, is the size of a thumb nail at arms reach, so can't read the whole screen without moving head. I'm going back to get them upgraded to better lenses. Trouble is they offer about 8 different ones, ranging up to £170 i think. Not sure if to go one step up, or just go the whole hog to the top of the range. What really gets me, is that I'll bet the cost of manufacture is identical.

I had my test at Boots yesterday and they showed me the lenses they have (Varilux). Their top of the range ones are £280 plus whatever the frames cost. They told me that I'd be able to ditch my computer glasses I currently use and just use varifocals. I want to get the ones with as little distortion at the sides as possible which probably means spending more but you can't really put a price on your eyesight.

 

[zom247]

Even after getting Varifocals I thought I would keep my individual reading and driving specs just in case , but I don't need them,
the varifocals are perfect, should have got them 5 years earlier instead of fannying about with pairs of reading, driving and TV specs.

That's exactly the position I'm in now . Got a set in the car, a set in the living room, readers in my bedroom and a set for computer use.