Eye Problems

[bednobs]

well, only the usual i suppose! I went for an eyetest today. I previously had glasses for reading/close work and only wore them when my eyes got tired, at most 2-3 times a week when i was at work.
today i have been told i now have to have an adjustment for distance as well as close and have been recommended varifocals or as an alternative bifocals or two pairs - 1 for distance and one for cloe work. Humfp! Am i now old???
Anyway, i don't want to really become a full time glasses wearer. Does anyone have any htoughts on what to go for? Been in this dilemma? got any advice??

[gingejbee]

Well, you've had you're sight tested and a professional has said you need correction for both close and distance...most people accept the situation, get the necessary specs (or contacts) and get on with it.

[Canary42]

Having had distamce glasses for some 12 years now (but only used for driving) my last visit determined reading glasses also useful (I had been successfully using off-the-peg from Poundland but felt that my eyes were slightly different, which was confirmed by the optician). I was offered bifocals but opted for a separate pair. I only use them for small print (10-point or smaller) and don't have any problems with having two pairs. It is however a personal choice really.

P.S. At 72 I guess I am old.

[237SJ]

I'm -6 short-sighted and have become long sighted. I just wear contact lenses and put reading glasses on when I need them for anything closer. I don't like the idea of varifocals as I would imagine they would make me feel rather sick. I've had enough of it now though and am seriously thinking of getting my eyes lasered.

[andres]

What do you mean ---old? I have been wearing vari-focals for years and never had any problems. There is such a fantastic range of frames nowadays. Even people who don't need them buy them just for the effect.
Remember ---Pride comes before a fall. Oops ,sorry don't take that literally!

[gingejbee]

Oh...should have added that I've had varifocals for years too, with no problems at all. Couldn't be bothered with having separate glasses for different uses.

[Pete65]

I had distance specs and reading specs for years.
I said "no" to varifocals.
Never had a problem.
Now, I have had cataracts removed in both eyes and distance vision is excellent.
I wear reading glasses, however.

[EDDIE51]

I'm exactly the same ,never needed glasses until I was over 55
Then I needed reading glasses, now I need 2 pairs one for driving and general use and a stronger pair for reading. In 8 years I have gone from no glasses to a full time wearer. No point worrying it is just a fact of getting older.
I went for 2 pairs as if I lose one I still have the others, I am terrible for losing things

[boxtops]

I love my varifocals. I've worn specs since I was six, and can't imagine the fuss of having to change glasses for different tasks. My optician took several goes to get the spacing right across the bands, and they are brilliant.

Bednobs, if you go for bifocals, get graded lenses rather than the ones with the halfmoons - it's much easier to cope with the change of prescription between the two sections.

[boxtops]

My sister's got them, darts - they look complicated to me, different parts of the lens have different prescriptions.

[1ozzy]

Didn't like varifocals when I first put them on. After a few days, no problems. You do need to adjust the way you go about things a bit: ie learn which part of the lens to look through depending on what you are doing. I have been wearing them for about ten years. The lenses are transitional so they darken in sunlight.
They are great for me.

[jno]

I got varifocals and hated them - ddrove away from the opticians unable to see anything to either side without turning my head; so turned round, drove back and handed them in. So they made me bifocals instead, and that is my recommendation, thoug I know others are ok with varifocals.

You'll become a full time glasses wearer when your eyes tell you to, alas. It doesn't mean you're old, it can happen at any age. But is your vision actually causing you problems? If not, then hold off until you think you need them (eg can't drive properly)

[B00]

I feel your pain bednobs. I had to get reading glasses a couple of weeks ago after noticing I struggle with reading. And I was more or less told by the optician lady that she pretty much knew why I was there before she tested my eyes...ya know, ya reach that certain age...things start to go wrong and stop working so well :-(

[bednobs]

thanks for all your advice. I am more confused than ever :(