It was eye test again today, and I went to my usual opticians - the ones formerly known as Dollond and Aitchison who have given me no concern to complain about over the last ten years. Now owned by Boots, and I suspect there is a differing sales regime in place.

Anyway, above prejudicial paragraph over, the upshot is that, again, my description has changed, and my use of glasses should now be more on that off. I currently have a reading pair and a distance pair, and I swap them around as necessary.

I was suggested that I use varifocals. By "suggested", I mean that the person doing the eye test seemed to be quite keen on the matter. Anyway, after some looking at options and frames, it seems that they are quite expensive. I wand to see if they could put new lenses in my existing distance frames (which are comfortable and have a good build quality). The price for that would be around the £210 mark. It would cost the same if I bought a new (inferior build quality) frame for £79.

I am undecided about all of this, the cost seems quite steep from what I am used to pay for glasses, and I can see benefits and drawbacks.

1 - Get varifocals. Apparently, I can use my existing reading glasses for screen work, but for day to day living, I need stronger distance and mid-range lenses. The varifocals would let me watch TV, and use my phone/iPad without swapping glasses. They could also be useful for my photo/video camera hobby where I need to see the camera screen (close up) and the subject (further away). Right now, I need to flip the reading glasses out of the way to see the distance. For this, I could have my current distance glasses reglazed as they are comfortable and I happen to like them.

2 - New glasses with single focus lenses in them (one reading, one distance). This is the other option. Most opticians will do a buy 1 get 1 free option, and this means I could get some better built frames that will feel comfortable on my face. If I am having to wear them more, I need ones that won't irritate or feel crappy. My current reading glasses are of an inferior build to my distance glasses. This option could well be cheaper than option 1. However, there will be the inconvenience of swapping glasses for various tasks, and the photography/video pastimes will continue to require juggling too.

So the dilemma here is really which option to go for - there are pros and cons in both cases. I have decided that I won't do anything before next weekend to give myself a chance to think. I do see that SpecSavers will do varifocals, and if you don't get on with them they will give you regular glasses within 30 days.

I know people who have changed to varifocals and got seasick when wearing them.

If you're going to go with varifocals then I'd suggest going with Specsavers.

You don't want to spend £200+ on them and then get stuck with something you never wear.

Laser surgery?

Some opticians can be very heavyhanded with respect to glasses/frames selling. I've been told this is where they make their profit. You need to speak to others who have varifocals to see what their experience is. My mother had them but she preferred two separate glasses.

1.You can take your prescription anywhere. Don't have to get glasses from the optician you got it from.
2. sounds like it's an age change thing. I personally would steer clear of laser etc.
3. I have my first varifocals. Don't get any problems as such, just don't actually like them. Next time it will be two pairs, distance and close. I like my peripheral vision, and you don't get that with varifocals. Top bit is for distance, bottom middle for close. The edges distort for me. Have to move my head around which doesnt really woork for me.

My dad tried varifocals but after a month couldn't get used to them. After a few weeks of headaches and bumping into furniture he admitted defeat and got bi-focals instead. Cost him more in the end. Unless you've tried varifocals before and are sure you can get away with them, I'd stick to either bi-focals or 2 separate glasses for distance and reading.

Wearing glasses is a slippery slope. Having had good eyesight up until my mid 40's, having to rely on specs more and more to the point where I have to put them on as I get out of bed just so I can see how bald I am is not worthy of discussion.
I wear varifocals. They are ok for me, ymmv. But yes they are expensive. It is awkward tipping your head back to get the focus but at least I can see and don't have to stop and switch specs to do it. I would suggest that if you spend all day in front of a computer screen they won't be the best option for this reason.

Varifocals are rocket money. This is a fact.

But yes, expensive frames make money for opticians. Specsavers is no different. I've been a customer of the same branch for nearly 20 years and I slept with one of the girls several years back, so I get preferencial treatment and no sales bollocks - but that's not a tactic I would advise for everyone.

You need to try them, and talk to others who live with them. When they work - they're a great solution for your problem. When they don't - they will make you feel all kinds of ill.

+1

There are plenty of places you can take your prescription to, some even online. They will likely offer you a better deal.

My frames plus varifocal lenses (with anti-glare coating etc.) cost 600€.

The private optician I went to (1 shop, no chain) went through the whole varifocal thing carefully with me.

The more expensive, generally the wider the reading area is and the worse your eyesight, the more you will get from the more expensive grinding.

I am using a mid-range, which is fine for my eyes.

The biggest "problem" with varifocal is that you need to read directly ahead, you have to get used to moving your head, not your eyes to read to one side or the other.

If you nod your head and keep your eyes level (i.e. the glasses move up and down your field of vision), you will see that what you are looking at will expand and contract a little. You get used to it quickly, but the first few minutes are a little disorientating.

The only real drawback I find is watching TV, we have reclining sofas, which means I tend to end up looking through the reading part of the lens, when watching TV.

Gonna derail this thread slightly.

I have glasses which I wear for computers and for driving (polaroid) in this frame:

http://www.specsavers.co.uk/glasses/mod ... ksilver-1/

The armrest/temple tip on one arm has broken off and there's cracking on the other one. Any idea of where I source replacements? Specsavers were happy to give me free temple tips but they're the bog standard ones instead of ones like the above design.

I think the experiments with varifocals have been put on hold. The graphics card on my Mac appears to have croaked today.

Is it desktop or laptop? Some of the laptop models are covered by extended warranty due to a fault.

C

My dad usually takes his prescription with him when he goes to the far east. Its much cheaper there, but just add good.

Mac Pro. I'm whining about it elsewhere.