Reply With QuoteGet your results and shop around, it does no harm to do this.Originally Posted by notenoughwrists
So as I reach early-mid 40’s, and work more at a laptop, plus general old/knackered, I find I may need glasses.
An eye test today confirms. A bit of long distance and a bit of close/reading probs.
Varifocals will sort the lot, I am told!
Anyway, nothing new for many people here - although it is for me.
My questions are:
Lenses. Should I be laying out big money for these?
I was quoted about £600 for some Nikon lenses, varifocal to my new prescription, and with some driving add-ons.
I have not picked frames yet, but assume there will be another £100 on top.
Is this right?
Should I be shopping around? Spec savers etc?
Are there lenses and lenses? Like a better lense is better for my eyes?
I have no idea what I am talking about.
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Get your results and shop around, it does no harm to do this.
Tango (Adam) on here is an optometrist and can probably add some value, he did to my questions previously.
Hard luck on needing to jump to varifocals straight away. I prefer my distance only glasses for everything aside from work / laptop use - I use my varifocals then, but straight back to single vision lenses of an evening.
What does your prescription say? Might be you don't yet need to go straight in at that level, as the price of varifocals is not cheap! Maybe try one pair for distance and one for reading, this will be so much cheaper.
From memory Asda was well regarded as they do thin lenses FOC is required....but there is no way you have just ended up at that level.
I have no idea about any of this.
My test says:
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Specs are like watches/cars etc. You can go basic, or all fancy and essentially they all do the same - help you see/tell the time/get from a to b, but then you get various manufacturers who use different materials for frames as well as unique designs etc.
I admit to having top lenses and fancy frames, but for the last year I've tried varifocals, but they're not working for me, so booked in for my eye test in a couple of weeks and going to seek advice.
They work in the car well - mainly to correct the distance vision and help when glancing at the clock for short distance, but with heads up display, less so. Plus, I don't look down to use a PC and reckon vari's were invented to help people glance down to read a book - the angle is wrong for me. I'm hoping to get a pair just for PC work.
Start basic and see how you go is my real life advice, unless you've a whacky prescription you need specialist lenses for.
I’ve never thought about lens “brands”; I used a very good Indy, and just spring for the lenses he recommends.
My wife and a friend have paid big bucks for varifocals and neither got on with them, thought others do so I guess they are a bit marmite.
I have glasses for distance - driving etc. - that I pay a hundred or more for, including clear lensed versions and also a pair of prescription sunglasses.
As I age I have found long-sightedness is starting to bite, so I also have a few pairs of three pound reading glasses for occasional use. I was advised that we should exercise our eyes and resist or only use the weakest reading glasses we can get away with, otherwise our eyes get lazy and the long-sight prescription gets worse.
So I end up with glasses and cases in drawers, cars, bags and christ knows where. Good luck with whatever you choose.
Not good hey,my eyes have got worse as the years have passed.Now 63 looking at my watch is all blurred until I put my readers on!.
Important to let them know if you’re using screens a lot….
When I first got varifocals, I had to go to a local optician during the first lockdown in 2020. I was lured into Nikon lenses with all the trimmings. Including frames it all came to £800.
Since then, I bought different frames and took them to Specsavers for lenses. Total cost £250 and I wear them far more than the expensive versions. There is no discernible difference in vision quality, and I work in front of a computer all day and have to read proofs.
I think for your first pair you should do it through a bricks and mortar optician rather than online, just to get the lenses right. It took three goes for the local optician but Specsavers were right first time.
I also used Boots for my first reading glasses and they were excellent, but I guess it varies between locations.
I also have single vision glasses for the monitors at the office, which for some reason I can't read clearly with the varifocals. The monitor at home is fine. I have no idea why. The harsh strip lighting in the office maybe?
Layman here, but left eye requires a correction for astigmatism, values are low overall though - you won't solve the astigmatism with off the shelf, but can get single vision for both needs & decide what works best for you. For me a variable lens is a concession for quality at each requirement, my single vision are so much better for driving than the varifocal, but speedo is far away to not be close.I have no idea about any of this.
My test says:
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As you are new to glasses, go into it slowly vs someone wanting to make cash from you. I order actual sunglasses RB New Wayfarer, with clear lenses & when I upgrade to a new lens, family enjoy cheap sunglasses.
Good luck on wearing glasses, I remember still as a teen how annoying it was. Order some proper MF cloths and spray, makes life so much better.
Matt
Think Specsavers and possibly also Vision Express have a money back guarantee offer so you can afford to try varifocal or bifocal or whatever. Useful especially as you are completely new to needing glasses.
Don't scrimp on your eyes but do get value for money. If you get varifocal and you drive, get the wide field ones or do a lot of head turning. My old eyes are getting past it now and I have a cataract starting. If you want to appreciate what you look at, do the right thing, or end up doing a lot more "feeling"! There's always an upside to every downside!
I got tucked up for £300 for some straight forward lenses as I felt I should support my local optician…. It’s a right racket…. I don’t mind a premium, but there are limits
I reglased my distance glasses (scratched) and used a cheap online service and they’re spot on…. A fraction of the cost
https://www.lenses-in-glasses.co.uk/
It always strikes me as funny how people on here will pay a fortune to get a watch running fine serviced by the manufacturer according to their schedules and then quibble over a few hundred for quality glasses they wear every day...
I know where I'd spend the money, personally.
You can get Rolex level lenses or you can get Pagani Design level ones... As with watches they do the same thing...
M
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Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?
Very important with varifocals to get the fitting correct, the natural position of your eye in relation to the centre of the lens must be assessed correctly, an error of 2mm will make a very significant diffeence. The dispensing/fitting part is more important than the actual eye test in my experience. Worth paying more for the the best quality lenses but you have to accept there will always be an element of compromise. Don't be tempted to buy online. Get your optician to explain exactly how they work and what the compromises are, if you haven`t grasped what he says get him to repeat it till you do, it helps to understand exactly what you're getting and what you're paying for.
My wife got quoted 750€ for verifocals with a set of extra lenses free (just pay for the extra frame with discount). (I wear them too but my prescription has not changed). TBH I find I take my glasses off for close work now.
Check - Specsavers as they usually run deals - two for one etc - I used to get tinted ones as sunglasses extra. I use fixed focus long distance for driving as I couldn’t get on with the blurred edges with varifocal but I am more used to it (your brain compensated). Give varifocals a couple of weeks before you reject them!
try exercising your eyes when using screens - look away every 20mins or so at long distance, there are books (YouTube vids) about eye exercises if you have a look.
Good luck. BTW - when you get past 60 your eyes settle.
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
I must have had (at a guess) about 25 pairs of glasses since I started wearing them in 1996 and the only meaningful difference for me as far as the lenses are concerned has been whether they've had anti-glare coating on them. It smudges easily and is a pain to keep clean. So I avoid it. Otherwise - posh lenses from an optician on Oxford street or whatever they use at Vision Express, Specsavers and online outlets - never noticed a difference.
For me - with varifocals the more expensive lenses do have less blur at the edges which is the tricky part to manufacture - the opticians should explain this. The higher end branded lenses like Zeiss (Boots opticians) or Nikon may be better - like most things you pay for what you get. Sometimes you pay for a known brand.
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
My personal experience is absolutely you get what you pay for. I was always happy with specsavers until I decided to try a local independent - the difference for me (varifocals) is like night and day. Personally, the uplift in cost is absolutely justifiable.
The lenses aren’t better ‘healthwise’
I paid about £330 all in 3 years ago - they aren’t Zeiss
Last edited by Suds; 15th January 2023 at 11:53.
Thanks all, much appreciated.
I am using a proper shop, it is an indi.
The Nikon varifocals are near 600 notes, which does seem a bit hardcore.
This is for the extra wide field with some glare filters blah blah blah
Personally, I sort of think 2 pairs with dedicated roles may be better - one for the car as a just in case (I don’t need need them, but the letters on signs do blur sometimes - and worse than they used to).
Medium distance - TV, including subtitles etc - is all fine.
Then get a dedicated pair for laptop working, with blue light filter - as that is what has become noticeably worse for me.
Or I could just zoom in on the text?!
And I am doing eye exercises (when I can remember to!!)
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Last edited by notenoughwrists; 15th January 2023 at 12:14.
The indi should sell other brand lenses cheaper than Zeiss but perfectly acceptable quality - mine are japanese Hitachi(?).
I go for varifocals with a frame which accepts clip on sun shades - all angles covered in one pair, no faffing
Why not spring for the photochromic lenses ? Yeah, they add more dollars to the bottom line purchase initially but they've worked a treat for me for the last 4-5 yrs.
I’ve been wearing Specsavers top of the range varifocals now for quite a few years now with no real issues. Think they cost around £450 including the frame.
For me it’s a case of better the devil you know so I’m planning on getting my eyes tested in Specsavers next week and getting new glasses if my prescription has changed significantly.
For varifocals and monitors mentioned by somebody, you need to raise the monitor higher is what I’ve found else you end up tilting you head back if the screen is too low.
They're selling Nikon...
I found the reverse. I need the monitor lower than it goes on the arm.
(are you wearing them upsidedown?)
How do you find driving?
Sounds like the 'transition' point for the varifocal lens isn't correct (for both of you!).
Varifocals = bifocals?
Don't know the brand of my lenses, but high index. Not bifocal though, Yet. Extremely thin and my eyes are not great. These have to be the lightest glasses I have ever owned.
Titanium frames
You are absolutely correct, no idea why I said higher, yes it needs to be lower so that you view it through the lower middle part of the lens.
Last edited by IAmATeaf; 16th January 2023 at 11:58.
I have been wearing varifocals for many years. I found them difficult to get used to a first, and doubted if I ever would. It took several weeks until my brain adjusted. Since then this has not been an issue and I would not be without them. I use them for everything - computer, reading, driving, watching TV etc. My computer monitor is set low too - my eyeline is near the top of the monitor, which is a 27".
Absolutely.
I'm not an optician.
Looks like you have astigmatism. Your eyeballs aren't spherical, they're ovoid, meaning you'll never be able to foucs properly on anything, at any distance. You are also probably starting to get a bit of age related far sightedness.
I'm also astigmatic. I'm told it's a shape of your head thing and once you're adult it doesn't change with age. You don't appear to need much correction.
For me, the most impotant thing is comfort. If I'm not sleeping or showering I'm wearing glasses. It doesn't matter how well I can see with 'em if they are too uncomfortable to wear.
I'm on my first pair of varifocals too. They were not cheap at just over £1100. My glasses are stronger than yours, and my astigmatism much steeper, so the lenses are heavier. To keep the weight down I went rimless, and paid for the thinnest lightest lenses I could get. Heavy glasses are not comfortable glasses.
Next most important is how well I can see.
Anti-reflection / anti-scratch coating. Get the best you can afford. Constantly looking through a reflection of your own eyeball isn't exactly ideal.
I added react-o-light (or whatever it's called) tinting, so these double up as sunnies. Of course there are two types of reactolight, the standard ones are triggered by UV and won't work in a car, the more expensive ones do. If you expect to drive with them as sunglasses, make sure you get the right type.
My first pair of varifocals had mid spec. lenses. The field of view in the mid range section of the lens was too narrow. I could focus perfectly, but I couldn't read a document on a 24" monitor without turning my head, a lot.
I also found that the transition between parts of the lens was a bit rapid. Largely because I'd chosen a narrow (28mm top to bottom) lens. My opticians were happy to remake the lenses...
I spent more money and upgraded to the top spec varifocal lens. The wider field of view in the middle distance portion of the lens is now so wide that I don't find it limiting. I also changed the lens shape (my frames are rimless) to increase to 33mm top to bottom. The transitions between distance, middle and near sighted sections of the lens are more gradual. The outline of the lens isn't as pretty, which leads me to my final point about the glasses themselves.
Style is the least important thing when choosing glasses. It doesn't matter how good they look if they're too uncomfortable to wear or if you can't see properly.
Do consider how robust the frames are. I wear a motorcycle helmet when driving my car on A-roads and motorways (no windscreen). I'd break my rimless glasses trying to push the spindly wire arms into the helmet. So I need a different pair for that. You may have other needs.
I've given up with the likes of Specsavers. Specsavers frames are crap. OK, my driving pair are heavy, plastic framed single vision Specsaver glasses. They are heavy & uncomforatble, but they were cheap and I only wear them for an hour or two at a time. I did try a pair of their rimless glasses when my previous rimless ones finally died after seven years of use. The specsaver rimless glasses broke three times in three months. I got a refund, and went to a proper opticians instead. For reference my current rimless glasses are two years old and I've not had any issues with them.
I've had issues with Boots opticians mis-prescribing, that was a ball-ache to sort out!
So now I use Eyesite opticians (Winchester). They have a few branches. They are bloody expensive when compared with the big chain farnchises, but they can be trusted and they get it right.
With those i would look like a panda - so ive been told
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