Varifocals - costs?

[dexterdoglancashire]

Well, I guess I knew it was going to happen one day....................
I've been wearing glasses since I was eleven because I couldnt read the bus number to catch the school bus, and couldnt read the writing on the blackboard (we had blackboards in those days!).

I went to get my eyes tested yesterday as I've been getting a few headaches and getting closer and closer to the pc screen (DDL pawses to wipe nose smudge mark from pc screen - mine not Dexters! )
Yes, the time has come when I need bifocals, oops! sorry, the "modern" word is varifocals.

OK fair enough, I can accept that. What really got me was the cost! My frames were £90, but altogether, with the anti-scratch coatings - a smidgin less than £360!

Do any other grapes wear varifocals, and if so, how much did they cost? I just wondered...................

[ladylottie]

Hi
I mostly wear contact lenses if I'm out and know I'm not going to have to read much(using a cheap pair of reading glasses from Superdrug if I need to), otherwise I wear bifocals. I've worn glasses since I was eight years old and bifocals for the last ten years or so. I can't get on with varifocals, they make me giddy when I move my head. My bifocals (had them two years ago) cost me £250, with all the trimmings like yours. I know that varifocals are more expensive, so price probably about right. I'm sure other varifocal wearing grapes will be able to tell you more.

[JanieB]

I had to have varifocals when I was at Uni in the mid '90's (mature student). I only needed them because my ageing eyes didn't refocus quickly enough between reading the board at the front of the lecture hall and writing on my notepad.

I have one long-sighted eye and one short-sighted eye. Even in my 60's they aren't too bad and I can get along (including reading) without them .

I hated the VF's. They made me feel really giddy and they were far too expensive for a full-time student and single mum.

I can't buy cheapo glasses because I have different prescriptions for each eye. I go to Specsavers and I'm afraid I don't go for the cheapest option there either although I used to.

Cheaper options tend to be last years fashion in frames. But then this years fashion is going to be the year before lasts by the time my eyes need testing again .

[dexterdoglancashire]

The chap at the opticians did say that the glasses manufacturer is so confident that the wearers will be able to wear them they give a money back guarantee and that he'd only had a handful of people who couldnt wear them. Fingers crossed!

[Jardiniere]

i wear bifocal contact lenses....... they cost a lot.........mainly i go nude and live life surrounded by a vague mist full of my own imaginings.....

[dexterdoglancashire]

i wear bifocal contact lenses....... they cost a lot.........mainly i go nude and live life surrounded by a vague mist full of my own imaginings.....

I heard about those last night. How do they work? Do you have to put them in a certain way up? I did try lenses when I was younger, but could do with messing with my eyes

[Jardiniere]

they have 123 printed?! on the so you have to read that off (course if you cant see close up that can be tricky)
I can see close up well but cant see further away than the end of my arm (slight exageration) so when i wear ordinary contacts i cant read so these are meant to solve that ...i've taken to just wearing one .....then i can see both long and short reasonably well

[shirlthegirl43]

I had my eyes tested recently as I was finding my arms weren't long enough for me to read comfortably any more I wear one pair of specs for general stuff and reading prescription for knitting and reading (obvious I suppose). I was aksed if I wanted varifocals but don't fancy them.

[Bagpuss]

Hi Dexter
Not sure whether you actually brought the glasses or not ? If not (or for future) try glasses direct.
Varifocal Glasses from Glasses Direct
I'm short sighted and have only ever brought one pair of glasses from a shop, as they are sooo expensive.
I've used Glasses Direct for the past 5 years or so, the service has always been great, and best of all, the cost is so much less that the shop.

[trish60]

Asda are doing George glasses for £50 & designer glasses for £70 which includes thin lenses for no extra and a very good choice of styles. Varifocals are an extra £40. 2 pairs are even better value.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi Dexter
Not sure whether you actually brought the glasses or not ? If not (or for future) try glasses direct.
Varifocal Glasses from Glasses Direct
I'm short sighted and have only ever brought one pair of glasses from a shop, as they are sooo expensive.
I've used Glasses Direct for the past 5 years or so, the service has always been great, and best of all, the cost is so much less that the shop.

Yes, have bought them. Never thought of the internet, though have seen the ads on tv.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Asda are doing George glasses for £50 & designer glasses for £70 which includes thin lenses for no extra and a very good choice of styles. Varifocals are an extra £40. 2 pairs are even better value.

My current pair are from the opticians at Asda. Although the service was OK, I've gone back to an opticians I've used many times in the past. Altogether a more professional service, and I feel happier with. I think you need to trust the people i/c your eyes, after all its very important, but thanks for your idea. If my eyesight wasnt as bad as it is, would use Asda again nowt against them, but just feel happier going back to where Ive been in the past.

[dogsbody]

Mine come from VisionExpress -probably spend about the same as DDL but with sunglasses thrown in - better check my credit rating as I am due back (well overdue actually)

[annacruachan]

I wear varifocals from Specsavers - got them just before Christmas. (Am I allowed to use that word? Shall I be sent to the norty step? Quivers!) They cost £107 and a few pence owing to the deal that was on that day.

They are pretty good and it's great not to have to keep swapping specs all the time, but you can't reverse the car in them as the vision blurs towards the edges. You might be able to I suppose if you can turn your neck 180 degrees! Mine doesn't do that now!

[jackyspratty]

I have 1 eye long and the other short sighted. I had the option of 1 pair of reading glasses and 1 pair long distance. First of all went to D&A and was advised didnt need varifocals as advised by boots. Also told it would be cheaper if I usedmy old frames for 1 pair. Decided to go for this.

Then on way to pick up my son realised this didnt give me the option of sun glasses! Went back to boots after they explained that although my prescriprion was very low for varifocals it was better to start on them early as your eyes adjust quicker. Went for this in the end and got a bogoff, one pair of which is sunglasses. In the end the boots variofocals were about £20 more expensive than D&A reading and long distance (with my old frames)
Cant remember exactly how much, maybe £320?

Took a few days to get used to them, initially a bit of a swimmy stage. But have no problems. Also feel I would have been endlessly searching for my missing pair had I gone for the other option!