Hi just a quick question for people who wear glasses? I am trying to find out from you all if anyone uses varifocals?
I have for many years always had everyday seeing glasses and separate reading glasses but want to try varifocals as fed up chopping and changing? My questions is has anyone experienced issue using them. I hear they can make users feel dizzy? I walk with my stick and walk slow left side gait/limp. Boring topic 
I know but just researching the pros and cons before purchasing them as slightly expensive
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I have varifocals and Iām absolutely fine with them.
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Hey Marnie -
A tricky one this as I feel it can come down to personal preference or how one is able to adapt to the different way these glasses operate.
I believe it is true that some users may feel dizzy but I am not sure who this group is and why they feel dizzy whereas others do not.
There are also other factors such as you having to move your head rather than your eyes to āswitchā from long sight to short sight i.e. if you want to read a book you will have to move your head down to allow the book to come into focus rather than just look down with your eyes.
Perhaps I am not explaining this well, but the varifocals do āoperateā differently to standard glasses and you do have to use them in a different style - you have to train yourself and there is a learning / training period during which you may feel uncomfortable.
I wore varifocals for a a few years but I must have been using them as āstandardā glasses and over time I got annoyed with them and so I have now reverted back to reading glasses and distance glasses. I am a lot happier now and my pocket is not so light either - varifocals did not come cheap for me.
Personally, I never went down the route of contact lenses either and then of course there is the laser eye surgery.
Anyway, I rather think this might boil down to you as an individual as to whether varifocals agree with you or not.
Wishing you all the best with your research and I hopes you find the right solution for you.
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Iām the same as you with having to use 2 pairs of glasses. And still not inclined to to bite the bullet and go for varifocals. I know I certainly wouldnāt have coped well with them after my stroke, Iāve had enough mishaps and my family wonāt thank me for anymoreš
I have heard of people having issues with going down stairs and steps, looking down in general.
Every time I have my eye test they do offer me the option of trying out varifocals for a few days but I always refuse.
So have a word with your optician to see if they do that. Iām with Vision Express and have been for many years 
Good luck
Lorraine
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Do you ever double up with your glasses, one pair over the other?
I do that regularly when I want to quick and canāt be bothered switched 
It often keeps people entertained when I do that, and Iām all for making people laugh 
Lorraine
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I have varifocals but can see better without them, they come in handy when my eyes are tired or I start having blurred vision, so I put them on to give my eyes a rest.
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I wear varifocals and had them for a few years before my stroke. I adjusted to them easy enough & didnāt have issues that a lot have with steps / stairs. I still have them post stroke & donāt have any real issues with them & didnāt straight after my stroke despite having balance / dizziness problems. I do struggle using a computer with them as i need middle distance glasses for that & now have a pair of computer glasses. I find having to change glasses a nuisance and varifocals reduce the need for this.
It may take you a bit to get used to them but most people do.
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@Bigmugoftea @Rups @EmeraldEyes @ManjiB
Thanks for your responses, I am still unsure about the change, since my stroke I feel uneasy about changes and like routine but, I feel I must make a small change, who knows might be for the better! @EmeraldEyes laughing at the thought of using them over each other 
I think I need research a little more thanks for the input most appreciated. The cost is an issue as well I am with specsavers but I have to decide between 4 different varifocals and prices from standard to elite or more. thanks
Maz
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I know the cheapest type have have that, sort of or ridge between the upper and lower section of lens. I would find that most annoying.
I understand what perfectly what you say about change. That was at strongest in early post stroke recovery. Itās easier now but I still think Iāve got a long ways to go yet. Diversions or deviations still tend to throw me off 
Lorraine
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Ive had varifocals for many years and never had any issues. However ive had to get new ones recently since my stroke. (Started wearing new ones on Tuesday) My reading vision needed a change of prescription (nothing caused by my stroke i must add). Iāve found it harder than ever to get used to them. It triggered fatigue again. Im putting it down to my brain having to work that bit harder. Today though has been easier, so im hoping im over the worst. My stroke was only in December, so its all still early days for me, but prior to changing prescription i had no issues wearing my old ones. Dont let my experience put you off. Ive always thought i made the correct decision swapping over. They can be expensive though.
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They told me it would take up to two weeks to regulate my eyes to varifocals some might take longer, mines is much like yourself not being the stroke caused more issues just my eyes as I have aged has declined. I hope you adjust to them soon keep me posted. The good thing is we also will have our old glasses. How have you found walking up and down stairs wearing them I have hand rails either side of our stairs?
Marnie
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I have tried varifocals twice. First about 6 years ago then 2 years ago. Both times I had to get full refund as I could not get on with them.
My husband has worn them for years and loves them as do several friends.
As the optician said they do not suit everybody. So I am back to two pairs.
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Such good feedback thanks, I am tempted to try them.
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I have varifocals, they can seem strange if never had before but that soon goes. Most opticians offer to exchange back to 2 pairs if you really canāt get on. My prescription changes so regular that I now do the monthly plan with Vision Express, doesnāt cost anymore, and means not paying out a lump of money in one hit.
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I donāt have an issue going up or downstairs with them. Iāve had them over 10 years now, so canāt really remember what i was like when i first started wearing them.
Someone once told me and im not sure if this is correct or not. That if you are shortsighted person who then needs different reading prescription then varifocals are easier to get used to, (that was myself been shortsighted since teenager, but needed a different reading glasses over 10years ago I stuck with 2 pairs of glasses for 12 months only before switching to varifocals and didnt regret doing so) That you needed glasses for reading only first before getting distance glasses, then they said it would be harder. Im not sure how true that is.
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@MarnieT just a thought but some opticians give you a 100 day satisfaction guarantee meaning if you didnāt get on with the varifocals they would change your lenses to single vision ones within that 100 days.
I actually used that guarantee last year.
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@elljay1 Yes thanks for the information I have just found this out online, gives me the confidence to try them knowing I have a back up if needed. 
Marnie
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Now you know all the pitfalls to watch out for youāll be armed and ready. Itās well worth giving them a shot because, much like with everything else, we are all different so you may not have much issue with adapting to them. And youāve nothing to lose really as youāll still have your glasses to you tide you over if you do have switched back to single vision
Lorraine
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Hi, i used to wear two different glasses quite a number of yearās ago and was asked to try verifocals which i did and yes they take time to get used to but im glad i gave them a try as Iād never go back to wearing two pairs. So i would definitely recommend you to give them a try and im sure youll be fine
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Hiā¦.
I used contact lenses for many years for work and at social occasions and only used glasses at weekends to give my eyes a rest. Since retiring i find my position in reverse with glasses for everything with contacts being used socially or at the gym ( for convenience)
I have had no problem in using varifocals for everyday situations - driving, walking, up and down steps etc. I find them less useful for close up work.
I have sometimes found the transition being different for different lenses when ordering new glasses. I donāt know whether that is due to suppliersā interpretation of my prescription or the actual quality of the lenses. But even then it a short term impact - hours.
I had my stroke nearly 7 years ago. No big difference in using varifocals before or after.
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