Cant Drive In New Glasses

[wookette]

I’m unable to see properly when driving in my new glasses. I was told by my optician that a small percentage of people cannot use varifocals. I have given them time ( since June) and returned for adjustments but this made no difference. I am due to see the manager to discuss this. I paid quite a lot of money and cannot afford to pay anymore on another pair. What are my rights?

[dannyk13]

Did you inform the optician that you intended to drive whilst wearing them? If so you may have a case for them being unfit for purpose, but I wouldn't bank on it.

[bednobs]

most opticians would probably just give you a refund in these circumstances. Wait and see what they say before quoting law at them

[MargoTester]

Alternatively if you get on well with them generally, you could just buy a cheap pair with single lens for driving in and leave them in the car

[Togo]

The frames should be ok to take new lenses. Before my cataract ops I used varifocals to drive. I did however have to have them perched on the end of my nose. Damned nuisance it was though. But I could still read my dash and see the required distance. Since the double op I do not require driving glasses which is a blessing.

[ummmm]

I got my varifocals from Specsavers and they gave me 3 months to get used to them or they'd replace them.

[Hopkirk]

I too got mine from Specsavers, who give a promise to replace with alternatives up to 3 months after supply. Your optician may give similar, and presumably you expressed that there was a problem within 3 months.

In my case I gave them back after a couple of weeks as it was hopeless, and Specsavers were excellent about it.

[Old_Geezer]

Do you not still have your previous pair ?
Use them for driving until you have the hang of the varifocal ones.

The issue is just to instinctively use the right part of the lens for whatever you are looking at. The habit forms in time.

[diddlydo]

With respect Hopkirk I don't think 2 weeks is long enough to get used to varifocals - I speak from experience but now wear them all the time with no problems.

[wookette]

Thank you for the imput everybody. Today I visited the opticians in question and have a new pair of glasses for driving coming my way free of charge aswell as keeping the varifocals for non driving purposes. Excellent customer service

[hc4361]

Great result. Thanks for the update

[jno]

mm, yeah, I drove for about 3 minutes in varifocals, realised I was going to die, turned round and took them back to the shop; they gave me bifocals instead at no extra charge. Scary business, and I'm glad you've got sorted out so quickly..