New Glasses.

Dale.

Dale.

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Dale.
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Eeesh, it's weird.

I got new glasses today. I finally gave in and went with a prescription pair, rather than the (decent) readers I used to get. My prompt to go with my prescription was that I got a few books for Christmas and I've struggled to read them. There's no enjoyment in using a magnifying glass as well as reading glasses. It's a significant problem for me as I love reading but gradually, I have almost stopped.

For context, I did consider the surgery a few years ago and queried it again at my last eye test in August 24 but we agreed, that it probably wasn't a suitable option.

My glasses were ready today, I went to get them, sat in the chair, put the new glasses on and boom, it was like a light being turned on. I was still within the requirement for driving without glasses but the difference is literally clear. I actually read, for the first time in about 10 years, the smallest print on the card at the optician.

I can read a book now like I was able to aged 24 (I'm 57 now) and without glasses then.

The lady recommended though, that I wait until I get home to wear them properly, being varifocals, they would take time to get used to. I couldn't wait though, when I got to the car, on they went. Again, boom, I could see the dash and dials clearly. It dawned on me at this point, that my vision was worse than I thought.

Now I'm home and struggling a little, with the PC in particular but I suppose I just have to get used to them. I also feel a little queazy and I have a headache. Also, walking is fun as there's some weird warping going on where the differing varifocal meets.

I did realise today, that back in the day, I was lucky enough to have 20/20 and it was only in 2014 that I noticed a change. Since then, I've subconciously adapted. It was a (pleasant) slap in the face today though, what a difference. I am now hoping to be able to see the back of my DSLR better at close quarters too, rather than depending (again subconsciously) on getting my images home to see how sharp (or not) they are. Not so much of a problem with mirrorless as you can see images in the viewfinder after taking them.

Apparently, it comes to us all, our vision just degrades over the years.

I have to keep this pair safe though as I am notorious for losing, breaking even managed to set a pair of glasses on fire one time, so I'd best be more concious of that.
 
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Varifocals do take a while to get used to, I remember the walking issue. I played golf when I had my first pair and it took a while to adjust from looking a the distance flag and then down to the ball. Varifocals have improved over the years and as you probably found out there are different grades with the expensive ones being better, as you would expect.

My prescription has hardly changed over the past 20 or so years, but my eyes are getting lazy and I tend not to use them for short distance.

My father in law, who is in his late nineties, found his version improved over the last few years.

I’m sure you’ll be fine after a few weeks.
 
Was similar for me, I'd been getting blurrier vision for quite some time but put it down to anything but bad eyesight until I 'borrowed' someone elses glasses in fun one day and it was a bloody h*ll moment "I can see!"

I thoroughly recommend Zenni Optical for glasses if you want to buy a spare pair (or two) I've been buying mine there for at least 10 years now and never had a wrong pair. Prices are way cheaper than High St. opticians (no fancy store front to pay for).
I need glasses for distance, e.g. driving and buy usually 2 pairs at a time for about £15 each delivered in about 10 days. Varifocals would cost more obvsly but worth checking them out if you don't want to break the bank.
 
Personally, I can't get on with even bifocals, let alone varis! I almost always wear contacts and (when needed) readers but do sometimes watch TV in the bifocals I've had for years. My vision's quite stable (and not too bad [0.5 and 0.75) so can often get away without specs at all. I'm apparently legal to drive without them but TBH, the thought of people driving with that level of vision terrifies me as a road user!
 
I also use varifocals and it took a few weeks to get used to them. I still have a separate pair of reading glasses which makes sense because, once you sit down for some serious reading, you do not need to focus anywhere else. My eyesight is not that bad to start with so the lens corrections are not that strong.

Dave
 
I've heard varifocals are problematic for PC use. You typically look through the lower part for typing / reference material (fine); but look through the upper part for the screen, however the screen is not at distance as would be normal for that viewing through that part of the lens.

You either need to nod up and down like one of those car dashboard dogs from times gone past (painful), or use a different pair of glasses for screen use.
 
Tried them too - instant headache combined with nausea! BUT, a friend who wears them loves them!
 
Boots said:
I've heard varifocals are problematic for PC use. You typically look through the lower part for typing / reference material (fine); but look through the upper part for the screen, however the screen is not at distance as would be normal for that viewing through that part of the lens.

You either need to nod up and down like one of those car dashboard dogs from times gone past (painful), or use a different pair of glasses for screen use.
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The focus is variable not bifocal so there is a position where the PC screen will be in focus.

Dave
 
Varifocals are a bit of an aquired habit, and I agree not so good when using a big monitor for editing.

If you are stil struggling it minght be worth getting a pair of "office" glasses just for using the computer. They are varifocal but do not cover the same distance range as the normal "all use" varifocals.

The far range will be at wherever you have your monitor and the near range for the keyboard/mouse distance.

The advantage of all this is the in focus area of your view can be much larger and there is a lot less head nodding needed.

Just don't forget that when you get up to make a cup of tea or answer the front door that mostly everything will be a bit fuzzy

HTH

David
 
I've worn glasses since when I was in junior school.... I became very short-sighted.... I'm now 62 and for the last 10 years or so my distance vision prescription has been showing my distant vision is now actually improving, whereas my reading vision is getting worse. I've been wearing varifocals for about 10 years now....

Last September I was on holiday in Thailand when a screw failed on my glasses causing a lens to pop out..... Managed to find a little shop that repaired glasses and thankfully they managed to extract the screw and replace it. It felt really strange going out for a night out without my glasses but I survived and picked up the repaired glasses the following afternoon.....

Amusingly the other screw failed on the Saturday before Xmas.. I managed to book an eye-test at my opticians first thing on the Monday morning and had my new varifocal glasses not long after New Year.... This time I had an old pair I could wear, but it was an old prescription and they did cause strain on my eyes. I ordered a single vision pair with my new prescription so that now I have a good spare pair.
 
I find it best to have separate prescription glasses for reading, distance and intermediate (desk PC).
 
I guess the danger for a photographer sorting out their fading eyesight is that they go to all that effort and afterwards their photos still look out of focus :)
 
arclight said:
I find it best to have separate prescription glasses for reading, distance and intermediate (desk PC).
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I don't have any problem with using varifocal lenses, especially in front of my PC monitor...
 
I have 2 pairs of single vision specs that live in the cars just in case I lose a contact lens (or, more likely forget to put lenses in or specs on!)
TheFiend said:
I don't have any problem with using varifocal lenses, especially in front of my PC monitor...
Click to expand...

Lots of people do though.
 
Wife has varifocals and can get the point that the focus changes positioned to suit her, so has one pair where where the transition point? is low on the lens for outdoor and the reverse for indoor where most viewing is close up. Glad I just need specs for reading, writing and eating!
 
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