Varifocal glasses

[toast1]

These come in cheap, medium and expensive lenses. 
Is it worth getting the expensive lenses? 
Does it make much difference compared to the mid-level?


Thank you

[ravip]

I've been using the brand Crizal for over 15 years. No complains about it so far. I guess this is not to top most expensive brand, but it is not cheap - this brand also have different categories at different prices.

On cheap lenses, I've noticed discolouration, scratches and fragility.

[CMoldie]

Has the OP used Varifocal lenses before? If so, you will know that you  need to learn how to use them - you focus your eyes and move your head in a different way to using normal glasses or none at all.

 

All Varifocals have, to a greater or lesser degree, areas of poor focus in the edge of the field of view. It effectively increases the blind spot in your peripheral vision. As the 3 grades get more expensive, the area of poor focus becomes smaller. This makes the more expensive ones easier to use, and easier to adapt to (i.e. easier to learn how to use) and generally more comfortable to use.

 

Personally, I always used to use the mid range one, which I found  comfortable and easy to adapt to. However, when I took up riding a motorbike in Thailand, I switched to the top grade ones. Riding a motorbike here you need all the peripheral vision you can get.

 

So my advice: the cheapest ones will do the job, but the mid range ones are more pleasant and easier to use. However, if you are taking any vehicle on the road, car, motorbike or pedal bike, get the top end ones if you can afford them.

 

If you have not used them before, two things to be very careful with until you have adapted to them . One, already mentioned is driving. The other, silly, as it sounds, is walking downstairs. It is quite easy to take a step into thin air if you are not used to wearing Varifocals.

[BritManToo]

19 hours ago, toast1 said:

Is it worth getting the expensive lenses? 

Zennioptical varifocals mail order for $50 (inc).

Never had any problems with them, sure the coatings peel after 18m-2year, but they're so cheap you can just buy more (10-14 days delivery).

 

The cheap ones weigh a little bit more, but I've never found it a significant difference.

Same glasses in Thailand cost me 8,000bht, and the frames broke after 18 months.

Edited March 25, 2021 by BritManToo

[elwood]

13 hours ago, CMoldie said:

Has the OP used Varifocal lenses before? If so, you will know that you  need to learn how to use them - you focus your eyes and move your head in a different way to using normal glasses or none at all.

 

All Varifocals have, to a greater or lesser degree, areas of poor focus in the edge of the field of view. It effectively increases the blind spot in your peripheral vision. As the 3 grades get more expensive, the area of poor focus becomes smaller. This makes the more expensive ones easier to use, and easier to adapt to (i.e. easier to learn how to use) and generally more comfortable to use.

 

Personally, I always used to use the mid range one, which I found  comfortable and easy to adapt to. However, when I took up riding a motorbike in Thailand, I switched to the top grade ones. Riding a motorbike here you need all the peripheral vision you can get.

 

So my advice: the cheapest ones will do the job, but the mid range ones are more pleasant and easier to use. However, if you are taking any vehicle on the road, car, motorbike or pedal bike, get the top end ones if you can afford them.

 

If you have not used them before, two things to be very careful with until you have adapted to them . One, already mentioned is driving. The other, silly, as it sounds, is walking downstairs. It is quite easy to take a step into thin air if you are not used to wearing Varifocals.

This an informative comment,, thanks.

 

Despite using varifocals for many years, I still have to pause and tread carefully to ponder over whether the next step will be on the flat or down a step! 

 

[Mister Fixit]

I just replaced my varifocals last weekend.  Superb vision, especially reading my PC monitor.   I discovered that my previous lenses had the wrong prescription for the mid range vision.  I had been wondering why i had to squint so much.

They are Hoya lenses (I don't know what specific type) and the slightly thicker and cheaper lenses (1.5? 1.6?).  The shop is owned by the family an old student of mine from 10 years ago so the lenses were only 6,500 baht to me.  I was going to have them put in my old frames but he offered me a very nice light titanium frame with very bendy side pieces for 2,000 baht instead of 2,800 so the lot came to 8,500 baht.

If you want to check it out the shop is right next to the Silom Centre under Sala Daeng BTS station.   I am not sure if I can mention the name in English but in Thai it's ธนาคารแว่น (ta-na-karn-wan).  

 

Best money I have spent in many a year.

[Thomas J]

On 3/25/2021 at 1:16 AM, toast1 said:

These come in cheap, medium and expensive lenses. 
Is it worth getting the expensive lenses? 

 I am guessing the price is based on the refraction value.  Your lower priced lenses tend to be made of CR-39 plastic about 1.50 refraction value and are not quite as thin and acceptable for prescriptions +1.00 to - 2.75.  The mid grade lens have a refraction value of perhaps 1.54 to 1.63  will be thinner and acceptable for higher prescriptions +2 - -3.75.  Your high index lenses will have the highest refraction value lets say 1.74 refraction value and they will be used for those with the need for the highest prescriptions over +5 to -7. 

Lens material will impact cost.  CR39 is plastic and the cheapest but it will be slightly heavier but it provides among the clearest vision.  Materials like Trivate are harder more scratch resistant and lighter.  There are also polycarbonates that are lighter yet, more expensive but scratch easily.  

Finally if you are using multi-focal the width of the corridor will impact the price.  The corridor is the space in the middle of the lens that you get clear vision from.  There is only a narrow space looking to either side of it will not produce clear vision.  The lenses with wide corridor are more expensive.  Single vision glasses only for distance or reading don't have this corridor but multi-focal lenses for both distance and reading do. 

[cmarshall]

I have been happy with my glasses from Zennioptical.com.  They have progressive lenses in three different ranges:

https://www.zennioptical.com/workspace-progressives

 

I got the medium range and the far range.  Satisfied with both.  Cost USD 96 and USD 129.  Delivery took about a month.

[ravip]

2 hours ago, Mister Fixit said:

I just replaced my varifocals last weekend.  Superb vision, especially reading my PC monitor.   I discovered that my previous lenses had the wrong prescription for the mid range vision.  I had been wondering why i had to squint so much.

They are Hoya lenses (I don't know what specific type) and the slightly thicker and cheaper lenses (1.5? 1.6?).  The shop is owned by the family an old student of mine from 10 years ago so the lenses were only 6,500 baht to me.  I was going to have them put in my old frames but he offered me a very nice light titanium frame with very bendy side pieces for 2,000 baht instead of 2,800 so the lot came to 8,500 baht.

If you want to check it out the shop is right next to the Silom Centre under Sala Daeng BTS station.   I am not sure if I can mention the name in English but in Thai it's ธนาคารแว่น (ta-na-karn-wan).  

 

Best money I have spent in many a year.

8,500 baht is a super price for varifocals with a Titanium frame - WOW!

[Mister Fixit]

5 hours ago, ravip said:

8,500 baht is a super price for varifocals with a Titanium frame - WOW!

 

Yes, the local optician (who got the last lot wrong) told me 10-12,000 baht for lenses alone, put in my old frames!  

[Neeranam]

5 hours ago, cmarshall said:

I have been happy with my glasses from Zennioptical.com.  They have progressive lenses in three different ranges:

https://www.zennioptical.com/workspace-progressives

 

I got the medium range and the far range.  Satisfied with both.  Cost USD 96 and USD 129.  Delivery took about a month.

I'm waiting for two pairs to come from HK. I hope they're OK. 

Much cheaper than the ones I got from a local shop, 18,000 baht.

[Moonlover]

Let's get real. No one can answer the O/Ps question unless they have all 3 grades that he spoke of and was able to make direct comparisons.

 

So we can only speak from the experience that we have had. So here goes. I have very poor eyesight, I am very long sighted in the range of +7.00 and +6.5. This prescription has always been a challenge when it came to making varifocus, but my experience tells me it's worth it if you can afford it.

 

I sold some property recently so I pushed the boat out and went for the top of the range varilux lenses in titanium frames. The price was eyewatering, but the result was absolutely astonishing! I put them on, walked out into the mall and went WOW! I haven't such good vision in quite a few years.

 

Two years on and I have no regrets, so my experience says buy the best you can afford. It's worth it.

[sandyf]

12 hours ago, Neeranam said:

I'm waiting for two pairs to come from HK. I hope they're OK. 

Much cheaper than the ones I got from a local shop, 18,000 baht.

I wore varifocals for decades and as far as glasses go, best thing since sliced bread.

About 2 years ago when I needed a new pair decided to have laser surgery instead, 18k baht each eye. Won't need another pair and only problem is reading labels in the supermarket.

[dddave]

19 hours ago, cmarshall said:

I have been happy with my glasses from Zennioptical.com.  They have progressive lenses in three different ranges:

https://www.zennioptical.com/workspace-progressives

 

I got the medium range and the far range.  Satisfied with both.  Cost USD 96 and USD 129.  Delivery took about a month.

I have also been using Zenni for the last 4 years and more than satisfied.  One pair I ordered came with the wrong prescription and they refunded immediately...didn't even require me to return them. 

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, dddave said:

I have also been using Zenni for the last 4 years and more than satisfied.  One pair I ordered came with the wrong prescription and they refunded immediately...didn't even require me to return them. 

 

Have you used them recently? I tried a few months back, theyt would not ship to Thailand except by courier

[Surelynot]

On 3/25/2021 at 2:01 PM, CMoldie said:

Has the OP used Varifocal lenses before? If so, you will know that you  need to learn how to use them - you focus your eyes and move your head in a different way to using normal glasses or none at all.

Drove me mad....could not stand them......stuck it out for a week then went back and got reading glasses and distance glasses........and relax.

[ravip]

5 minutes ago, Surelynot said:

Drove me mad....could not stand them......stuck it out for a week then went back and got reading glasses and distance glasses........and relax.

Yes, it does take awhile to get used to.

After that, no going back! It is a convenient alternative. Costly, yes.

[Golden Triangle]

I needed varifocal lenses, I also have an astigmatism in one eye so prescription lenses were expensive and also my eyes needed to be checked frequently, recently I had eye surgery and new lenses fitted, my sight in both eyes is now great & for the first time in 30 odd years I can wear normal sunglasses, I bought a cheap pair of glasses for reading - 120 baht, so happy these days, I can sit on the other side of the lounge watch TV and read the credits ???? ???? ????

[Tanoshi]

I recently had a new set of varifocals, existing frame.

I was a bit apprehensive when the optician quoted 17,000 baht but assured me they were the best.

 

Best varifocals I've ever had, worth every baht.

[Yellowtail]

Where do you guys go to get a fresh prescription and all the measurements to order online?

[Mister Fixit]

On 3/27/2021 at 8:34 AM, sandyf said:

I wore varifocals for decades and as far as glasses go, best thing since sliced bread.

About 2 years ago when I needed a new pair decided to have laser surgery instead, 18k baht each eye. Won't need another pair and only problem is reading labels in the supermarket.

Where did you go for the surgery?

[Mister Fixit]

On 3/27/2021 at 12:01 PM, Surelynot said:

Drove me mad....could not stand them......stuck it out for a week then went back and got reading glasses and distance glasses........and relax.

I was the same when I had contact lenses 30 years ago.  Annoying AF.  I managed 2 months.

Then I had a week off to redecorate our 3 storey staircase so didn't use them due to the sanding dust.  When I put them back in the following week, I took them straight out again and hat was that.

The other thing I found odd about using them is that I'd been wearing specs since I was 9 and it was just plain weird not having something on my nose.

[Surelynot]

49 minutes ago, Mister Fixit said:

I was the same when I had contact lenses 30 years ago.  Annoying AF.  I managed 2 months.

Then I had a week off to redecorate our 3 storey staircase so didn't use them due to the sanding dust.  When I put them back in the following week, I took them straight out again and hat was that.

The other thing I found odd about using them is that I'd been wearing specs since I was 9 and it was just plain weird not having something on my nose.

Yep gave them a try as well.......not a happy camper......could see distance, but anything within 3 m looked weird ......not happy poking about in my eyes anyway......would never risk laser surgery......eyesight is too precious.....happy with glasses.....each to his own I guess.

[dddave]

On 3/27/2021 at 11:33 AM, Sheryl said:

 

Have you used them recently? I tried a few months back, theyt would not ship to Thailand except by courier

I ordered 3 pair from a prescription on file (1 progressive, 1  reading, 1 optimized for 6-10 feet) on December 13, 2020.  They were shipped on Dec. 22 and I received them in Bangkok on Dec. 29.   Never a mention of courier only.  I paid the usual $10.99 (I think) shipping fee.

[dddave]

13 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

Where do you guys go to get a fresh prescription and all the measurements to order online?

I went to Rutnin Eye Hospital on Asok and had a comprenhensive eye exam by an ophthalmologist. This was 2 years ago and it cost B1300.  Appointment suggested.

 

 Prescriptions are not routinely provided unless you ask for one so be sure to let them know that is what you want. 

If there is a possibility you will end up with progressive lenses, be sure to ask the Dr. to include your "PD" (pupillary distance), essential for progressives.

Most larger hospitals will have an ophthalmology department where you can get this done if Rutnin isn't convenient. 

 

BTW, The Zenni website (www.zennioptical.com) has a pretty complete guide on how to take the measurements you'll need.  Easier if you have somebody helping.

Edited March 28, 2021 by dddave

[Yellowtail]

On 3/27/2021 at 11:33 AM, Sheryl said:

 

Have you used them recently? I tried a few months back, theyt would not ship to Thailand except by courier

 

Hey Sheryl, where would you suggest getting a good full prescription to such that I can buy glasses with progressive lenses online? 

[Yellowtail]

2 minutes ago, dddave said:

I went to Rutnin Eye Hospital on Asok and had a comprenhensive eye exam by an ophthalmologist. This was 2 years ago and it cost B1300.  Appointment suggested.  Prescriptions are not routinely provided unless you ask for one so be sure to let them know that is what you want.  If there is a possibility you will end up with progressive lenses, be sure to ask the Dr. to include your "PD" (pupilary distance), essential for progressives.

Most larger hospitals will have an ophthalmology department where you can get this done if Rutnin isn't convenient. 

 

Thanks, did not see this before I asked, thanks! 

[Yellowtail]

7 minutes ago, dddave said:

I went to Rutnin Eye Hospital on Asok and had a comprenhensive eye exam by an ophthalmologist. This was 2 years ago and it cost B1300.  Appointment suggested.

 

 Prescriptions are not routinely provided unless you ask for one so be sure to let them know that is what you want. 

If there is a possibility you will end up with progressive lenses, be sure to ask the Dr. to include your "PD" (pupillary distance), essential for progressives.

Most larger hospitals will have an ophthalmology department where you can get this done if Rutnin isn't convenient. 

 

BTW, The Zenni website (www.zennioptical.com) has a pretty complete guide on how to take the measurements you'll need.  Easier if you have somebody helping.

 

Yeah, I started pricing up a pair of glasses and was a little intimidated by all the data fields...

[dddave]

39 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

 

Yeah, I started pricing up a pair of glasses and was a little intimidated by all the data fields...

Once you figure it out, it's not that bad.  My progressives are very strong so there were many frames I couldn't use. 

At purchase, they do push a lot of expensive extras...coatings and ultra hi-tech polycarbonate lenses but I did a bunch of Googling and decided most of it was fluff. I got standard everything and the glasses I got have been more than satisfactory.

[sandyf]

3 hours ago, Mister Fixit said:

Where did you go for the surgery?

Ban Phaeo

http://www.banphaeoeyecenter.com/en_service.htm