For some people, varifocal glasses are the best thing since sliced bread. For others, they are as useless and more frustrating than website pop-up advertisements. The big question is, will you love them or hate them? Even though some people can’t get used to wearing varifocal glasses, the vast majority of new wearers seem to adapt to these lenses within a few days. However, it was only around 5-6 years ago that the chances of adapting to a new pair of varifocal lenses were much lower. This was mainly due to outdated techniques and methods being used in the manufacturing process of these lenses. Another reason was that many consumers felt the high price tag for a pair of varifocal glasses did not match the performance of the lenses. But a lot has changed since then and the varifocal lens industry has since been revolutionized, by the introduction of advanced lens manufacturing methods.
Although modern varifocal glasses are designed to perform much better than traditional lenses, most opticians advise that it still takes a few days to settle into a new pair. One of the things that people have to get used to is the fact that varifocal glasses accommodate 3 prescriptions (distance, intermediate and near) inside the lens. This can take some getting used to, especially if you have never worn varifocals before. When you first put on a pair of varifocal glasses, the first thing that you will notice is that the peripheral vision through the lenses is fairly poor and distorted. Unfortunately, distortions are a common characteristic of these lenses, due to the way the prescription changes through the lens. The second thing you will notice is that you have to tilt your head forwards and backward to bring certain objects into focus, depending on how far away they are and the height of their position.
Your varifocal glasses must be sitting straight on your nose, for them to work as intended. If your frame is sitting at an angle or is sliding down your nose, then the center of the varifocal lens won’t be in line with your pupils. This can cause blurry vision and great discomfort, so you must ensure the varifocal glasses fit well and are secure on your face. Another thing that can take some getting used to is that when you put on your varifocal glasses and look down at the floor, your vision will be slightly distorted. However, If you look down at the floor but tilt your head forwards slightly, then the floor will eventually come into focus. This is because the reading zone of the varifocals is at the bottom of the lens. The reading zone is going to be useless when trying to focus on things that are more than arm’s length away.
The real key to getting on with a pair of varifocal glasses is perseverance. Just because they feel strange when you first put them on, does not mean that you will never adjust to wearing them. Getting used to tilting your head to bring things into focus will ensure that your varifocals perform to your expectations. However, if you are expecting instant miracles and crisp vision from the outset, then you may end up being very disappointed. I suppose you could say that varifocal glasses are a little bit like Marmite sandwiches; you’ll either love them or hate them. But eat enough of them and the flavor will eventually become palatable.
Jim Romand writes for Online Glasses Direct Where specializes in the production of varifocal glasses.