Model Boat Mayhem

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length.
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: Varifocals  (Read 3343 times)

dreadnought72

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,892
  • Wood butcher with ten thumbs
  • Location: Airdrie, Scotland
Varifocals
« on: June 22, 2018, 10:38:24 am »

I'm 55, and for the past couple of years I've been holding books, tablets and phones further and further away, as I struggled to focus on text. When driving, the instruments were a bit of a blur. Boat building's out of the question as my near vision was totally shot, So I've succumbed to the inevitable, and - a few days ago - picked up my first varifocals.


I suspect more than a few of a Mayhem demographic have been down this route!


The good: I can read close to. I can see my speedo. The glasses weigh next-to-nothing. This is fantastic!


The bad: I feel nauseous, pretty much all the time. There's a distortion to the right and left of centre where the world simply tilts down. This is ok if I don't move my head, but I'm finding when shopping, for example, my hands reach out and just miss what I'm aiming for. Walking is ok, if I assume the floor is as far away as I suspect it to be, and not where my eyes tell me it is. I can make tables and flat surfaces undulate like some weird drug trip, by turning my head left and right - kind of fun at the kitchen table, when done in small doses, but at the moment I'm building raised beds in the garden, and am totally reliant on the level for every brick and stone.


And the ugly: Specsavers '£69' deal inevitably turned into £400 Real Money when I completed the purchase.  <:(


Please tell me the nausea goes once I get used to them? I need to be boat-building in the soon-to-arrive boat shed!


Andy
Logged
Enjoying every minute sailing W9465 Mertensia

Hellboy Paul

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Location: Where ever I am at this moment in time
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2018, 10:48:16 am »

I had a similar problem, went back to the opticians, this is what they told me...


When you get the nausea feeling take the specs off for a few minutes until the feeling passes. Don't be tempted to go back to your old specs (if you have them)
Your brain needs to learn to work with the new specs & it takes time..
I was OK after about 2 weeks & no problems since..


If you are still concerned go back to the opticians..


Paul..
Logged

essexbill

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 70
  • Location: Derbyshire
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2018, 11:12:33 am »

Hi.


With new glasses your brain needs time to adjust, if you start feeling uncomfortable in any way take them off and give your brain and eyes a rest for a while.
You have to remember that varifocals are 3 lenses in one. The top is for your distance lower part close up and of course the middle for intermediate.
Try them for a couple of weeks if you are still having problems return to the opticians, it may well be a slight adjustment to the nose pieces that is required.


Please don't put them in a drawer and not use them, money wasted and it won't help your eyesight.   
Logged

Colin Bishop

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 12,171
  • Location: SW Surrey, UK
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2018, 11:46:34 am »

I have worn varifocals for years with no problems. As the others have said, you do need to get used to them and it will take a little while but persevere, your eyes are having to make a very large adjustment, much more so than if you had adopted varifocals at an earlier stage. It is true that some people do have problems in adjusting but most people manage it OK. EssexBill makes a good point in that the nose pieces could need adjustment as the glasses are intended to match your eyeline at different distances and angles. Try moving the glasses up and down a little and see if that improves the focus. Definitely go back to the opticians if you are continuing to have problems - its free.
As far as the cost is concerned it does sound as if you have gone for all the expensive options, in April I bought two new pairs from the £89 range, two for one deal with the elite lenses and added reactions (photochromic) and anti reflection to one pair to act as sunglasses and help with night driving. The total cost was £327.
Colin
Logged

Plastic - RIP

  • Inactive
  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,255
  • Bobbing Along!
  • Location: Watford
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #4 on: June 22, 2018, 11:48:48 am »

I couldn't function with varifocals so went for bifocal safety specs and expensive reading glasses (paid for by work for vdu use) - and a whole bunch of £2.50 cheapo glasses from Aldi for modelling - from +0.5 to +3.5 so I can 'zoom in' for the fiddly stuff.
Logged

john44

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,659
  • member of the Potteries Model boat club
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #5 on: June 22, 2018, 12:03:17 pm »

I couldn't get used to varifocals, I found stairs and curbs were not at the distance the glasses
Told my brain they were and I felt very nauseous. Needles to say the glasses were replaced
By bi-focals much better for me personally.


John
Logged

Colin Bishop

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 12,171
  • Location: SW Surrey, UK
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #6 on: June 22, 2018, 12:19:16 pm »

Yes, varifocals are not for everyone but you must give them a chance and also ensure they are fitting properly before looking elsewhere. My new ones in April needed a new prescription due to the effect of aging and were noticeably different from my existing pair. Despite me being used to varifocals it did take two or three days before my eyes fully adjusted but they are fine now. Your adjustment is much larger Andy so it will take a fair bit longer as it is a much greater shock to the system!
Colin
Logged

jaymac

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Online Online
  • Posts: 2,140
  • Location: Somerset
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #7 on: June 22, 2018, 01:13:00 pm »

as said they are not for everyone  a lot depends on your prescription  if there are large variance in the layers  it may not be a good idea .A good optician  which rules out specsavers should tell you this. Specsavers   will sell you the cheapest  qualitywise not  always  pricewise
Logged

Colin Bishop

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 12,171
  • Location: SW Surrey, UK
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #8 on: June 22, 2018, 01:24:10 pm »

I don't think I would agree there Jaymac. I have been using Spesavers for years and they have been fine. The only time I had problems was when I went to one of the other major chains. You might well get better service from a highly qualified private optician (if you can find one) but the cost would be correspondingly high. For the vast majority of people the standard high street offerings will do the job and there is usually a money back option if it doesn't work out.
Before Specsavers and the other hight street providers came on the scene, going to an optician cost an arm and a leg and many people simply couldn't afford it and suffered from poor vision accordingly.

My local Specsavers gave me a free DVLA test to familiarise me with the driving test vision tests required at age 70 if you have certain eye conditions. I passed the official test easily and it did help avoid the nervousness associated with taking the tests for the first time in the knowledge that if you mess it up you might not get your licence back.
Colin
Logged

grasshopper

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 773
  • Location: Lincolnshire!
    • A1 Hobbies Ltd.
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #9 on: June 22, 2018, 02:36:58 pm »

I’ve worn varifocals for years now, usually changed every two years, ball park figure for mine is about  £480 but includes ‘free’ sunglasses.
It usually takes a week to get used to new ones for me...I went to Specsavers after using a very expensive local ophthalmic optician who actually got my first pair of varifocals completely wrong and had to reimburse me as it was such a cockup....that’s when I used SS the first time and have always had excellent, correctly made specs for less money with the ‘ free’ sunnies thrown in.
Logged

tigertiger

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7,748
  • Location: Kunming, city of eternal springtime, SW China.
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #10 on: June 22, 2018, 04:11:22 pm »

The high street specs shops often have the latest equipment, and very experienced ophthalmologists who do literally thousands of eye tests each year. The little independent shops may have less up to date testing equipment, and do far fewer tests.
The lenses are outsourced to specialist labs. I have had wrong prescription lenses, and it was the lab that messed up. If you still are not used to the new glasses after two weeks, go back and get them checked.


If you can afford the extra money, buy the better varifocal lenses with the wider viewing area. As pointed out above, the periphery can be blurry, that is because they can only make the central vertival strip of the lens varifocal. The more expensive lenses have a wider focal strip.It takes a bit of getting used to. With varifocals I think that it is not so much your eyes that are adjusting, but your brain adjusting how it processes what it sees.


My eyesight is terrible, long sight with astigmatism; but varifocals work for me.
Logged
The only stupid question is the one I didn't ask

Plastic - RIP

  • Inactive
  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,255
  • Bobbing Along!
  • Location: Watford
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #11 on: June 22, 2018, 04:51:04 pm »

The high street specs shops often have the latest equipment, and very experienced ophthalmologists who do literally thousands of eye tests each year. The little independent shops may have less up to date testing equipment, and do far fewer tests.
The lenses are outsourced to specialist labs. I have had wrong prescription lenses, and it was the lab that messed up. If you still are not used to the new glasses after two weeks, go back and get them checked.


If you can afford the extra money, buy the better varifocal lenses with the wider viewing area. As pointed out above, the periphery can be blurry, that is because they can only make the central vertival strip of the lens varifocal. The more expensive lenses have a wider focal strip.It takes a bit of getting used to. With varifocals I think that it is not so much your eyes that are adjusting, but your brain adjusting how it processes what it sees.


My eyesight is terrible, long sight with astigmatism; but varifocals work for me.
The physics of optics have not changed - most of the new equipment is to de-skill the operator and just give them a magic answer without fully understanding what they are doing.
The lenses come as a blank and are processed in an automatic machine. If the measurements taken by the de-skilled 'salesperson' are not carefully done, you will get bad glasses.
I prefer old-fashioned optometrists with basic, old machinery and they understand if the answers don't stack up.
Logged

Jerry C

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,504
  • Location: Caernarfon, North Wales.
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #12 on: June 22, 2018, 05:37:54 pm »

I’ve worn varifocals for yonks. First time I wore them I tripped on the opticians step.
They took some getting used to but I wouldn’t change them now. You learn to have a wobbly head and NEVER DO ANYTHING BY EYE.
Jerry.

Netleyned

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 9,051
  • Location: Meridian Line, Mouth of the Humber
    • cleethorpes mba
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #13 on: June 22, 2018, 06:13:34 pm »

Had them for years
Jerry, right! First time
Felt like I was 7 foot tall
No problems now just a small
adjust with the upgrades.
Ned
Logged
Smooth seas never made skilful sailors
Up Spirits  Stand fast the Holy Ghost.
http://www.cleethorpesmba.co.uk/

davidjt

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 224
  • north wales coast
  • Location: north wales coast
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #14 on: June 22, 2018, 06:16:39 pm »


I know this may sound  %% stupid,  but I had varifocals and had the same problem, went back nothing wrong with them they said, keep trying them but  still the same . I was looking at my old and new  prescription and noticed that the right eye and left were opposite and was not correct. the tester had wrote them the wrong way round, so were making me feel sick, dizzy and cross eyed. so I went back and they admitted they were wrong made them up the correct way round and had no problems since, so they can make mistakes and worth checking. this is the honest truth, I will not name them  :police: but they just about managed to say sorry




david
Logged

Colin Bishop

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 12,171
  • Location: SW Surrey, UK
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #15 on: June 22, 2018, 06:26:19 pm »

Well, you could argue that the purpose of the new equipment is to help maintain consistent standards so the assistants who conduct the basic tests only need to be competent to operate it properly leaving the optometrists to interpret the data.

I agree that working out the fitting and establishing datum points on the lenses needs more skill but even that seems to be automated now. At my last test they had a tablet computer which is programmed to take a photo of your face and then applies the appropriate measurements etc. to confirm the manual examination. (probably similar technology as is used with facial recognition at passport control at airports). Very clever stuff and it certainly worked fine in my case. It is in their interests to get it right to keep the customer happy and avoid the need for replacements.
I don't really want old fashioned optometrists, Specsavers seem to employ some pretty intelligent and qualified people these days, often youngish asians. Having got glaucoma and being subject to regular checkups by a consultant I do know a bit about the condition and they certainly seem to be pretty clued up in my experience.

Going slightly off topic, I do think there is sometimes an expectations issue when it comes to things like glasses, contact lenses and hearing aids etc. These are all intended to help correct various sight and hearing problems but the operative word is help. People frequently expect too much and that the glasses or aids will completely restore their sight/hearing when often it can only afford a varying degree of improvement depending on the individual. Varifocals will always have limitations over possessing natural 20/20 vision without glasses although they can come pretty close for most purposes. 

Likewise, people who are very deaf like myself seem to think that their hearing can be fully restored by an invisible in the ear device when in fact they will need a high power and sophisticated visible behind the ear aid and even this will not give you accurate, selective or fully directional hearing although it will make all the difference between being able to understand what people are saying and not having a clue.

There is also a vanity issue. Many people try to conceal the fact that they need glasses for driving etc. and are content to go through life in a myopic state rather than wear glasses in company. Others can't bear the idea of having a visible hearing aid so leave them off and appear to be stupid! Me, I want to be aware of the world around me and if others disparage it that then it is their problem and not mine.

Colin
Logged

madrob

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,130
  • Location: Swinton ..Rotherham
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #16 on: June 22, 2018, 07:20:05 pm »

I am glad ive sat and read this, tomorrow i pick up my first pair of varifocals, its either that or buy three set of glasses, the lady in the shop (specsaver) was very nice and explained what will happen when i get them, she told me to try them for three months, and if i cant get used to them in that length of time i never will.
I heard some horror  story's about them but i am a big lad i will make my own mind up....watch this space
Logged

jaymac

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Online Online
  • Posts: 2,140
  • Location: Somerset
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #17 on: June 22, 2018, 07:44:37 pm »

 Afraid we will just have to agree to disagree Colin  as for ''My local Specsavers gave me a free DVLA test to familiarise me with the driving test vision tests required at age 70 if you have certain eye conditions.     I'm on my 4th and apart from ticking glasses not needed when I no longer did which their system immediately fired back that it was a different response than previous ones  I just had to tick  I confirm .Never heard anything about that DVLA test and notwithstanding any   personal conditions which is none of my business why are they only relevant at 70
Logged

Colin Bishop

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 12,171
  • Location: SW Surrey, UK
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #18 on: June 22, 2018, 07:49:22 pm »

Madrob, I'm sure you will be fine. Just be aware there is a familiarisation period.
Colin
Logged

Colin Bishop

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 12,171
  • Location: SW Surrey, UK
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #19 on: June 22, 2018, 08:06:18 pm »

Jaymac,

You don't seem to be fully conversant with the driving licence issues.

When you reach 70, as you know, you have to complete a questionnaire and if this reveals certain medical conditions associated with your eyes then you are referred to their medical people who then may contact your consultant and/or require visual field and acuity tests at Specsavers with whom they have a contract to test on their behalf. As I have been diagnosed with glaucoma in both eyes I was required to take the tests which I passed OK.

Legally, if you have these conditions before the age of 70 you must notify the DVLA but this is not widely publicised. Also if your doctor has said you are not fit to drive you must notify the DVLA but people often do not.

The loss of a driving licence is a big deal for most people and quite a few elect to ignore their problem and just tick all the boxes which is not a good idea because it automatically invalidates your insurance. At the moment the DVLA will accept what you say. Maybe a bit silly as I know of instances when people who are not fit to drive still tick the boxes.

Yes, you can just tick the boxes and all will be well, until you have an accident when if there is a previously identified medical problem you will be stuffed. Many people take the chance and cause accidents as a result.

Colin
Logged

roycv

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3,389
  • Location: S.W. Herts
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #20 on: June 22, 2018, 09:21:30 pm »

Hi all I have had varifocals since I changed to them in 2011.  It was Specsavers and I put 2nd. pair on hold to make sure they would be OK.  I did take to them instantly and after 10 minutes went back to say I am OK for 2nd. pair I needed a new prescription a couple of months ago and my wife persuaded me to go to Boots, which I did.  I asked for a ball park price and he examined my glasses and said that they were a high quality lens, but would not give me a price.
Eventually went back to SS and then realised there were 5 (I think) levels of quality and I was told my were the highest with least distortion.
Now with the old specs I had made a set of stanchions about 20mm high and when viewed again they have a gentle falling off each way!  So I always now use a Vee block and do not trust my eyes.

I had the eye test and I asked about distortion and was told the details above, so again went for the premium quality.  The new specs arrived 4 days later and they were very good, but now I was more aware of the slight distortion and going back to the the previous ones I noticed that it was there as well.  They were a few pounds cheaper than the 2011 ones, the frames were good quality so they seem to have held down their prices.  I think £260 for 2 pairs.

However it was a good choice for me when outside I thought the brilliance had been turned up! probably slightly marked surfaces on the lens. I switch between some old bi-focals (for hand writing) and the new ones without noticing any difference and fortunately do not feel any side effects either.
As it happens I was served by the manager (Watford) and she did an excellent job especially in finding the right frames for me, not easy!regards Roy

Logged

jaymac

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Online Online
  • Posts: 2,140
  • Location: Somerset
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #21 on: June 22, 2018, 11:51:50 pm »

Colin I am well aware   of   filling out the form  which part of  ''and notwithstanding any   personal conditions which is none of my business and why are they only relevant at 70'' did you not get?  Your wording implied  Specsavers  gave you the free test they did not  it is paid for by the DVLA as they have to foot the bill for obligator also that they are required at 70 hence my query  why  at 70 they are required  for anyone   unfortunate enough to have the  conditions. Specsavers are very good at making out they are giving something for nowt they have an £8,000,000 contract  with DVLA to do the tests. As for yes you can just tick the boxes ! in no way was I implying such a thing I was just pointing out that if you have previously entered   something it is  picked up if you  alter it the next time                              As this is way off the original post topic again I suggest  agree to differ


R
Logged

Peter Fitness

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7,376
  • Location: Wyrallah, near Lismore NSW Australia
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #22 on: June 23, 2018, 12:29:53 am »

I have worn graduated lenses (varifocals) for over 20 years now with no problems at all. The only time I had any trouble was when I went from single vision lenses (reading glasses) to bi-focals, which took a while to adapt to. When I moved to graduated I had no trouble adjusting, but I know that some people find the transition a little difficult. Just persevere and you should be OK in time.


Peter.
Logged

Colin Bishop

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 12,171
  • Location: SW Surrey, UK
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #23 on: June 23, 2018, 07:36:23 am »

Jaymac, if you re read my post #8 you will see that I did take the test twice. The first time was prior to applying to the DVLA as I wanted to see if there might be any problems as I expected the DVLA to ask me to take it. I asked what it would cost but Specsavers did not charge me, maybe that was just a favour to a long term customer, I don't know. The second test, two months later, was indeed required and paid for by the DVLA under their contract with Specsavers.


Colin
Logged

Stavros

  • Guest
Re: Varifocals
« Reply #24 on: June 23, 2018, 07:52:36 am »

I cant wear varifocals at all due to the sickness and distortion but wear trifocals which suit me down to the ground....the only problem ive had recently is with fly tying...not focusing close enough...soon remedied by purchasing a single vision glasses where the focus point is set to 12 inches....i tie fishing flies now down to a size 20 hook...and thats only 5mm in ovl length !


I still go to my local independent optician primarily due to the fact that my Dad was one.....my independent optician has all the up to date testing equipment....and now his son who will be the third generation continuing not only in his father's shoes but his granddad's.....they test in the old fashioned way.


One point I will raise and it is True to this day the so called Dvla scam of a test can be so easily fiddled...FACT.....the most appalling scenario of this is simple...NO OPTICIAN  has the RIGHT  to inform Dvla that your eyesight is not up to standard to drive only your Doctor is...but who in fact is the most qualified to do so....the optician can only advise you.....and all he can do in fact is to inform your doctor...now it is up to the doctor to inform Dvla..As All opticians will tell you this is so so wrong and the law should be changed...as a lot of the older generation are not fit to drive because of eyesight problems...I am not inferring at all that any of the members on here are in that category.


Dad had glaucoma for over 20 yrs and his vision was 20/20 with glasses and obviously i get free eye tests as a result of his condition as it can run in the family.


I do know this for a fact that there is not a lot of glasses labs left in the UK....certainly 99% of trifocals are made in the USA..and the annoying thing is the cost...over £500 for Reactolites....i wear a set of sunglasses over mine when sunny !.....Top  tip here....if you are visiting America take your prescription with you and but some glasses over there....around a third of the price .




Dave
Logged
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
 

Page created in 0.093 seconds with 22 queries.