Glasses

[HFJL2020]

i have to change my glasses think of getting biofocals how do they work

[bobbinwales]

the top haf and bottom half are diffrent, so you either move the glasses up or down or you look up or down abit

[Ken4155]

You may want to think about trying varifocals. Bifocals have a line across the lens; above the line for distance, below it for reading. Varifocals do not have a line across and all you need do is look straight ahead for distance and, look through the lower section of the lens for reading, etc.

[MargoTester]

Varifocals are very good and as the name suggests they gradually change from distance to reading at the bottom. Ask your optician which are the best for you

[MargoTester]

Sorry Ken crossed posts

[Old_Geezer]

In either case there is an adjustment period while you get used to them. It still irks me that I don't get near perfect vision however I look through them, but it's better than not having them.

[ladybirder]

Another vote here for varifocals rather than bifocals.

[bhg481]

Some opticians give you the option of trying varifocals with a free option to revert to single-lens or bifocal if you don't like them; if yours does, take them up on the option. They can feel a little strange at first but you soon get used to them and they're by far the best option. I've had varifocals for years but I've very recently had my cataracts done so have fixed lenses inside my eyes now; I can see clearly without specs down to about 1 meter and then I have to wear specs to use my computer and a different pair to read books etc. I can't wait to get a pair of varifocals which will go from no-correction to about 3 dioptre and allow me to do everything from drive to read with just the one pair of specs.

[Maydup]

Another vote for varifocals here from a new user. I can read my paper, look up at the TV and read any subtitles or newsflashes, and look out of the window to the view in the distance all with a simple move my of the head.

It takes a bit of practice and I sometimes get lazy about moving my head when looking up, but it’s great and so much better than glasses on, glasses off all the time.

[jno]

I got varifocals but didn't realise they changed from side to side as well as top to bottom - a nightmare as I drove away and couldn't see to either side without swivelling my head back and forth. I drove round the block and took them back.

[Gill1941]

I've worn varifocals for years and wouldn't use any others. Great.

[HFJL2020]

how much are varifocals

[bhg481]

A rough guide here, Henry. Note that varifocals are cheaper than bifocals:


https://www.specsavers.co.uk/glasses/glasses-lenses

[ladybirder]

That's just for the lenses then you've got to add the cost of the frames.

Asda Opticians do a very good deal. You can give them your prescription and then get to choose.
https://opticians.asda.com/info/our-complete-price-on-glasses

[gingejbee]

Many people don't realise that there are "grades" or qualities of varifocals...the more expensive the grade, the better the quality of correction and the fewer "sideways" problems (that jno experienced). I love my varifocals, but have to pay a premium for branded ones (Essilor Varilux) - even Specsavers top-rated ones (Made-to-Measure) proved unsatisfactory due to side distortion.

[Zacs-Master]

I paid over £400 for varifocals and they’re sat in my car, as spares. The main problem was that for close up reading only about the bottom 3mm we’re any good so I had to read looking like I was on a sun bed tanning the underside of my chin.

[ladybirder]

ginge I couldn't be happier with my Asda varifocals. No problems with side vision or any other vision. I used to pay £600 previously and the only difference was they had a metal frame.

[bhg481]

I think the bottom line is that varifocals are a compromise which will work for most people for most of the time. If you're doing a specific task, staring at a computer screen 2ft away or reading a book 1 ft away then you are better off with special glasses. For just walking around, shopping, driving etc where you are looking at things at all sorts of distances then varifocals work nicely.

[ladybirder]

Zacs weren't you tested for reading before you paid for your specs. I was tested for distance reading, close up, sideways, the lot.

[Zacs-Master]

Yep, had a full test. I know, I should have gone back and complained but, quite frankly, I couldn’t be arsed.

[rowanwitch]

Go straight to varifocals. It's easier than learning bifocals, then changing again, had them for years no problems at all