Varifocals vs. Bifocals
Posted by: tonym on 17 July 2010
Having been forced to graduate from reading glasses to the full-sized item a couple of years ago, after a couple of attempts I managed to get used to varifocal specs.
For general use these are OK (although for some reason, probably to do with peripheral vision, I now struggle to park the car straight). However, for things like hill walking (which I really enjoy) I find them less than satisfactory; the need to constantly look down and around tends to make me fell disorientated.
I've recently decided to take up sailing after a long absence from the hobby and again I do find the varifocals a bit tiresome because of the need to constantly move my head about to keep stuff a few feet away in focus.
It occurred to me that I might be better off with a pair of bifocals as a spare pair of specs for such occasions, and before traipsing off to Specsavers for their distinctly biased opinion I thought I'd see if anyone on the Forum's got experience of wearing both types of specs.
For general use these are OK (although for some reason, probably to do with peripheral vision, I now struggle to park the car straight). However, for things like hill walking (which I really enjoy) I find them less than satisfactory; the need to constantly look down and around tends to make me fell disorientated.
I've recently decided to take up sailing after a long absence from the hobby and again I do find the varifocals a bit tiresome because of the need to constantly move my head about to keep stuff a few feet away in focus.
It occurred to me that I might be better off with a pair of bifocals as a spare pair of specs for such occasions, and before traipsing off to Specsavers for their distinctly biased opinion I thought I'd see if anyone on the Forum's got experience of wearing both types of specs.
Posted on: 17 July 2010 by David S Robb
Some people seem to find varifocals wonderful, others just can't get on with them. When I tried them (and found myself in the latter category) the firm seemed to be accepting this, and offering a trial period (a week or two, I think) after which one could change to simple bi-focals without a further charge. That's what I did.
I read a lot, look at computer screens a lot, read piano music a lot, so I find I need a straightforward pair of reading glasses. For getting around the world (in my few spare hours!) I use a pair of bi-focals and would recommend them: the frame style should allow lenses big enough to have the reading 'bit' tucked out of the way of one's normal distance vision. But the reading portion of the lens is useful for brief spells of reading, looking at the car speedometer, etc.
Does that help?
I read a lot, look at computer screens a lot, read piano music a lot, so I find I need a straightforward pair of reading glasses. For getting around the world (in my few spare hours!) I use a pair of bi-focals and would recommend them: the frame style should allow lenses big enough to have the reading 'bit' tucked out of the way of one's normal distance vision. But the reading portion of the lens is useful for brief spells of reading, looking at the car speedometer, etc.
Does that help?
Posted on: 17 July 2010 by Dungassin
SWMBO's solution is to have contact lenses for long distance, and add a pair of reading glasses when necessary. I was offered that option when the presbyopia began to be a problem, but opted to give up the contact lenses and got varifocals
I find varifocals fine for distance, but know what you mean about lateral vision. You really need the varifocals when driving, because otherwise it can be difficult focussing on the dashboard. Not so good for reading, though. Therefore I have a separate pair of reading glasses for that purpose. I'm myopic enough that my reading glasses function quite well for long distances, and the standing joke is that I can actually pass the Driving Test eyesight test with my reading glasses on. So myopic that my ophthalmoolgist used her laser surgery device to weld down my retina to prevent retinal detachment.
For very small print I actually take my glasses off and hold the item very close.
So, it sounds like my opinion is very like that of David Robb (hi, and welcome!)
Really must make an appointment to get my visual fields tested, though, as on 2 recent occasions I failed to see the dark-coloured car approaching from my left before pulling out. Rescued both times by SWMBO shouting at me. Hope I'm not told to stop driving, as SWMBO doesn't drive.
I find varifocals fine for distance, but know what you mean about lateral vision. You really need the varifocals when driving, because otherwise it can be difficult focussing on the dashboard. Not so good for reading, though. Therefore I have a separate pair of reading glasses for that purpose. I'm myopic enough that my reading glasses function quite well for long distances, and the standing joke is that I can actually pass the Driving Test eyesight test with my reading glasses on. So myopic that my ophthalmoolgist used her laser surgery device to weld down my retina to prevent retinal detachment.
For very small print I actually take my glasses off and hold the item very close.
So, it sounds like my opinion is very like that of David Robb (hi, and welcome!)
Really must make an appointment to get my visual fields tested, though, as on 2 recent occasions I failed to see the dark-coloured car approaching from my left before pulling out. Rescued both times by SWMBO shouting at me. Hope I'm not told to stop driving, as SWMBO doesn't drive.
Posted on: 17 July 2010 by deadlifter
quote:For general use these are OK (although for some reason, probably to do with peripheral vision, I now struggle to park the car straight).
Could be your hormones love
Posted on: 17 July 2010 by Bob McC
I tried for ages to use varifocals but never got used to the head gymnastics needed to read. I settled for bifocals.
Posted on: 17 July 2010 by Mike Hughes
Spanner in the works.
If you just have normal visual problems there's no reason whatsoever you would struggle to use bi, tri or varificals. Anyone who is struggling might like to dwell on the following.
Approx. 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 4,000 adults in the UK have Nystagmus. I know this as I am one if them. One of the characteristics of Nystagmus is a decrease in foveation time ie the length of time your eyes stay still to enable an image to focus sharply on your fovea/macular (middle of your retina). Anyone with nystagmus will struggle with having to refocus and with using amy kind of bi, tri or varifocal.
The reason the stats are so vague?
Pretty much all high street opticians know of it but know nothing about it. I include in this those who claim to do so such as D&A. Generally they'll say there's no treatment etc. and highlight only that they're 20 to 30 years out of date on the research. GPs? Pretty much the same. So, diagnosis levels pretty appalling.
As a consequence many adults go through life never knowing they've got it. Everything you're describing, to me, suggests you go to a GP and ask for a referral to an eye hospital.
Of course a failure to deal with said specs can also be down to a rapidly changing prescription or even other eye conditions. Either way, if you have normal focus you should not have a problem.
Suffice to say I currently have three prescriptins (reading, VDU and distance) and have to have three separate pairs.
Mike
If you just have normal visual problems there's no reason whatsoever you would struggle to use bi, tri or varificals. Anyone who is struggling might like to dwell on the following.
Approx. 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 4,000 adults in the UK have Nystagmus. I know this as I am one if them. One of the characteristics of Nystagmus is a decrease in foveation time ie the length of time your eyes stay still to enable an image to focus sharply on your fovea/macular (middle of your retina). Anyone with nystagmus will struggle with having to refocus and with using amy kind of bi, tri or varifocal.
The reason the stats are so vague?
Pretty much all high street opticians know of it but know nothing about it. I include in this those who claim to do so such as D&A. Generally they'll say there's no treatment etc. and highlight only that they're 20 to 30 years out of date on the research. GPs? Pretty much the same. So, diagnosis levels pretty appalling.
As a consequence many adults go through life never knowing they've got it. Everything you're describing, to me, suggests you go to a GP and ask for a referral to an eye hospital.
Of course a failure to deal with said specs can also be down to a rapidly changing prescription or even other eye conditions. Either way, if you have normal focus you should not have a problem.
Suffice to say I currently have three prescriptins (reading, VDU and distance) and have to have three separate pairs.
Mike
Posted on: 17 July 2010 by BigH47
I've been wearing glasses since I was 7 or 8 and so I have been used to having them on all the time I'm awake. When I needed a mixed prescription, I went to bi-focals, as the first set of vari-focal lenses caused many problems, inability to focus and general "swimming head" sensation, especially using the computer and going up and down stairs.
Investigations found my vari-focals were actually made wrong, the centre points were off. New lenses were made and these have been pretty successful, looking at the CDs in the or books requires extra head movement and reading in bed needs some distance adjustments. They just need to be right and require a little more "getting used to time".
Investigations found my vari-focals were actually made wrong, the centre points were off. New lenses were made and these have been pretty successful, looking at the CDs in the or books requires extra head movement and reading in bed needs some distance adjustments. They just need to be right and require a little more "getting used to time".
Posted on: 18 July 2010 by tonym
Thanks for the very useful replies folks. I understand what you say about making sure to get varifocals made correctly Howard - although I eventually got used to my first pair, the second pair I got seemed much better.
Think I'll go with David's suggestion & have a pair of bifocals made up for use on certain occasions.
Think I'll go with David's suggestion & have a pair of bifocals made up for use on certain occasions.
Posted on: 18 July 2010 by Don Hooper
Try bifocal contact lenses. they are a bit strange at first but once the brain adjusts to them they really work. No head movement required just good consistant vision from closs up to distance.
Posted on: 19 August 2010 by ray davis
had to get Varifocals as i am as blind as a bat.I now look in a mirror and see that i actaully do look old.
Posted on: 19 August 2010 by JWM
I do love these grumpy old men threads!
Though sadly, after my last visit to the optician, I am on the verge of no longer being a casual observer...
Though sadly, after my last visit to the optician, I am on the verge of no longer being a casual observer...
Posted on: 19 August 2010 by Steve2
I have been wearing varifocals for about 7 years now and have not had much of a problem with them up until recently. I originally had Rodenstock lenses but my optician recommended Kodak lenses last time and I have not found them as agreeable shall we say. I am due some new glasses soon and so the discussion above has been useful.
Thanks for that.
Steve T
Thanks for that.
Steve T
Posted on: 19 August 2010 by Bruce Woodhouse
quote:Originally posted by Mike Hughes:
Spanner in the works.
If you just have normal visual problems there's no reason whatsoever you would struggle to use bi, tri or varificals. Anyone who is struggling might like to dwell on the following.
Approx. 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 4,000 adults in the UK have Nystagmus. I know this as I am one if them. One of the characteristics of Nystagmus is a decrease in foveation time ie the length of time your eyes stay still to enable an image to focus sharply on your fovea/macular (middle of your retina). Anyone with nystagmus will struggle with having to refocus and with using amy kind of bi, tri or varifocal.
The reason the stats are so vague?
Pretty much all high street opticians know of it but know nothing about it. I include in this those who claim to do so such as D&A. Generally they'll say there's no treatment etc. and highlight only that they're 20 to 30 years out of date on the research. GPs? Pretty much the same. So, diagnosis levels pretty appalling.
As a consequence many adults go through life never knowing they've got it. Everything you're describing, to me, suggests you go to a GP and ask for a referral to an eye hospital.
Of course a failure to deal with said specs can also be down to a rapidly changing prescription or even other eye conditions. Either way, if you have normal focus you should not have a problem.
Suffice to say I currently have three prescriptins (reading, VDU and distance) and have to have three separate pairs.
Mike
A link to the RNIB page on nystagmus that may be informative. I would however suggest that the person who is best qualifed to identifty nystagmus initally is a good optician, one who is interested in your eye health and not just selling specs. Find a good one, and stick to them over a period of time! If they identify any significant condition they can advise referral (which usually requires authorisation by a GP).
If I referred every patient to a hospital consultant who attends my surgery complaining about difficulty getting good correction with varifocals the system would collapse. Mild chronic nystagmus is also not specifically treatable (other than by good correction) and does not require specialist investigation. The issue with childhood/severe/and acute late-onset is different.
A significantly commoner (and more treatable) reason for struggling with correction is the development of early cataracts. These tend to result in focussing problems and difficulty with distortion plus focal length changes before gross acuity drops. Again an optician can detect and monitor these.
Bruce
Posted on: 20 August 2010 by Svetty
quote:If they identify any significant condition they can advise referral (which usually requires authorisation by a GP).
Which generates unnecessary workload and drives the GP nuts when your local optician seemingly issues a GOS 18 to most of her patients!
Posted on: 20 August 2010 by Bruce Woodhouse
quote:Originally posted by Svetty:quote:If they identify any significant condition they can advise referral (which usually requires authorisation by a GP).
Which generates unnecessary workload and drives the GP nuts when your local optician seemingly issues a GOS 18 to most of her patients!
I know what you mean. In our town the quality of GOS18 referrals varies dramatically, but generally predictably, between various organisations and professionals. I've no doubt GP's vary a lot in quality too but boy are some of the opticians a bit rubbish! Hence my suggestion of finding a good optician and sticking to them. Locally that is the longstanding independents not the branded stores.
Bruce
Posted on: 23 August 2010 by Willy
Finally bowed to the inevitable about a year ago and got varifocals. Use them most of the time however also have:
Prescription distance, tinted, polarised glasses for driving.
Cheap prescription distance glasses for gardening etc. (cheaper to replace than varifocals when they inevitably get damaged - indeed need to clean some paint off them today).
Prescription reading glasses. Can read with the varifocals a bit but for any detail work need a greater field of view.
Wraparound non-prescription sunglasses - used mainly for sports such as riding and cycling.
Waiting (impatiently) for some of this stem cell therapy (could use some new teeth as well) they've been promising for years.
Willy.
Prescription distance, tinted, polarised glasses for driving.
Cheap prescription distance glasses for gardening etc. (cheaper to replace than varifocals when they inevitably get damaged - indeed need to clean some paint off them today).
Prescription reading glasses. Can read with the varifocals a bit but for any detail work need a greater field of view.
Wraparound non-prescription sunglasses - used mainly for sports such as riding and cycling.
Waiting (impatiently) for some of this stem cell therapy (could use some new teeth as well) they've been promising for years.
Willy.