I wear varifocals and don't have any problem with them. I also know a number of people who couldn't get on with them. As far as I can tell, that was mostly because they didn't persevere with them for long enough.

It does take a considerable time to get "tuned in". If you hold them away from your face and look through them you can see they do moderately strange things to the field of view. When wearing them the brain has to compensate and direct the eye to the appropriate part of the lens (and the head to the correct position). That training doesn't happen overnight.

That said, if i want to read a book or mag for a long period, I still find a pair of single-vision (reading) glasses more restful. I also use single vision (distance) glasses for TV because i use a recliner and it's difficult to position the head correctly when at full recline with the varifocals.

I used to use single-vision (distance) for long-distance driving because it gave more freedom for head position but with the advent of nav systems, I've reverted to the varifocals to be able to see the display.

Overall, I probably wear the varifocals at least 90% of the time I'm wearing glasses.

Edited By OMG on 03/07/2014 15:31:02

I have developed the habit of focusing by moving my spectacles up and down my nose. When are affordable adaptive optics going to become available?

I do feel sorry for anyone who spent a fortune on getting laser correction for short sight, and then discovered they need reading glasses anyway by their mid 40s!

Neil

Martin – My last pair of specs were my first try at varifocals and the experience was not a good one. I could not get on with them at all and have now replaced them with bifocals—–much better!

Even so I can only use the reader part on the bifocals for very short periods as I can feel my eyes straining.

For longer reading periods and for close work in the workshop I have dedicated readers.

Another mid range set does me for the computer.

Duplicate the lot for the study and some spares in case any get lost and bingo —- specfest

Rik

Rod, I like your idea! I wear bifocal safety specs in the workshop, but they are only corrected in the small viewing area – the majority of the lens is uncorrected. . I will investigate a pair such as you describe. I'm sure Specsavers will tell me, but may I ask the cost of your glasses?

Many thanks,

John

(edited for fat fingers!)

Edited By John Corden on 03/07/2014 18:30:23

Martin, I have varifocals and use them almost all of the time, the only exception is when welding, I find the position needed to be able to see out of the helmet is such that the varifocals don't sit in the correct position so I use a pair of half eyes.

One last point is that there is a great difference in the quality of varifocals lenses and most opticians' seem to have a deal with the lens producers to be able to sell them on a sale or return basis if you are not happy with them provide of course you buy and alternative from them. The first time I had them it was a no go for me but I was persuaded to try a different brand and they were as chalk and cheese and I never looked back.

Personally I would go for Zeiss , Nikon or similar brand and you will find that the close vision area is greater and the lens is more forgiving than Mums own brands.

I would say try them and speak to your optician about what happens if you just can't hack it.

I think it also probably depends on the strength of the user's prescription. Logically strong prescriptions and those with large differences between near and far ranges would imply large variations across the lens and would be harder and take longer to accommodate.

My spherical for instance is just about zero for distances over 4 feet (once advantage to ageing with initial short sight) and quite mildly positive for reading. A constant cylindrical on that for mild astigmatism. So I found varifocals relatively easy. I imagine it's not so easy for some others. If you use a separate ophthalmologist for eye checkups (one that doesn't dispense glasses and has no axe** to grind) (s)he might be able to estimate the difficulty in specific cases.

** or lenses presumably

Edited By OMG on 03/07/2014 22:15:28

I too tried varifocals and persevered, they just make me feel sick. The only way I could recommend anyone to try them is on some sort of money back guarantee if they are not suitable.

as noted above, there are various grinds of vari/multifocals, with differing prices as well. They vary in how the different focal lengths are merged, and where the main focus points of the different lengths are. Your (good) optician should be able to show you various options, with diagrams showing the various spots. I also changed to rimless with high index lenses a long time ago and would never go back (the frames weigh only a few grams, of titanium wire) and the lenses are also high impact (cant remember the name but apparently they also make helicopter canopies out of it!).

And yes, until your brain adapts, every head movement results in the world tilting around you! but it does adapt after a day or 3.

-russell

One snag with varifocals that hasn't been mentioned yet can come when working close up in a confined space, such as under machinery. It can be difficult to line your eye up with what you want to look at and the right part of the lens. Having said that, I've worn varifocals for some years and the thought of have multiple pairs of glasses appalls. It certainly helps to go for larger lenses with a good sized close up bit.

I've worn Varifocus form the time they came onto the market, but I binned the Mk.I version as their field of undistorted vision was just too narrow. Made me feel sick.

As mentioned, it DOES take time to adjust, and it took me weeks of perseverance using the glasses, starting with short sessions then progressing to longer and longer periods.

THE most important thing when wearing Varifocus glasses is to MOVE your head in the direction you want to look, NOT just your eyes.

Moving eyes only means you are looking through that part of the lens that distorts everything, and that is what leads to the problems most experience with first use. I soon learned to do this with Mk.II versions of the lenses and have never looked back. It has become such a habit now, I find myself automatically doing so as well as tilting my head back to read even when I'm not wearing my glasses.

For trying to focus close-up looking through the top, long distance, part of the lens, I use clip-on magnifying lenses, so no longer have to find ways to do the job upside down now

Having had cataracts removed from both eyes, with long distance lenses implanted I only need to wear glasses for reading or workshop time.

Geoff – Carport 28°C but Workshop 23°C

Edit

PS

Graham,

The cost of Varifocus glasses here is a rip-off as you have proved.

Edited By OuBallie on 04/07/2014 11:01:12

Mistah Sho! You are thinking of OptiVisor mentioned in the tool thread. Anyway, the best place to get them is Cousins-UK the Horological supplies place. I think the 1.75 magnification would prolly be right for lathe work. At least, I hope so

graham.