r1_pete
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| posted on 28/10/13 at 11:41 AM |
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Varifocal spectacles and driving...
SWMBO has just had her 1st accident after many years driving, only minor paint scuffs and no injuries, just clipped Sainsbury's trolly
collecting tractor.
But, since she started wearing Varifocal specs, her driving especially her ability to judge where the kerb is, seems to have taken a nose dive. I am
convinced its the specs which are altering the percieved distances as she moves her head etc.
Has anyone had similar experiences wearing Vari's for driving?
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DavidM
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| posted on 28/10/13 at 12:07 PM |
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The field of view can vary considerably dependant on the quality of the lenses. Opticians usually explain this when opting for varifocals and in my
experience recommend the expensive wide angle if they are being used for driving, and less expensive narrow view if they are for around the
house/reading etc.
I have wide angle ones and have no problems driving.
David
Proportion is Everything
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RK
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| posted on 28/10/13 at 12:09 PM |
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I wear them every day with no problems. I use contact lenses for racing however (set for distance), to ensure they fit under the helmet and
don't move around.
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Not Anumber
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| posted on 28/10/13 at 12:37 PM |
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I find varifocals useful for being able to read the satnav whilst driving, something i just couldnt do when i had 2 seperate pairs of glasses.
However they do make judging distances at the side of the car very tricky. Ive taken them off at busy rounadbouts a few times rather than risk it.
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snapper
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| posted on 28/10/13 at 12:50 PM |
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First few months of wearing bar officials for the first time was a bit freaky but used to it now
I eat to survive
I drink to forget
I breath to pi55 my ex wife off (and now my ex partner)
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wicket
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| posted on 28/10/13 at 12:52 PM |
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I've worn varifocals for many years and never had a problem.
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 28/10/13 at 12:55 PM |
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What DavidM said - the usability of varifocals is entirely in proportion to their cost. The 'free' varifocals that places like Specsavers
offer are the cheapest, and the hardest to use. I found bifocals easier to use than those things.
However, a while ago I got glasses from a HongKong company via the web, and they came with premium lenses - I had clear vision across the whole width,
with very little distortion or eye strain. Those lenses were half the price of Specsaver's so-called premium grade, and were of a higher
quality.
This is the company: Optics4less
Unfortunately the drop in value of the Pound means that they aren't as much of a bargain as they used to be, but I'll still give them a
look when I next get my eyes tested.
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Paul AS
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| posted on 28/10/13 at 02:23 PM |
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Hi Guys,
Varifocals are not just - you get what you pay for - there is far more to it than that. Just to qualify my ramblings, I am a Registered Dispensing
Optician with 24 years experience of dispensing all different lens types.
I am also a partner in two Specsavers businesses who dispense (not sell) in excess of 5,200 pairs of varifocals a year, a figure which is growing year
upon year.
All suppliers have a range of varifocals that we would dispense for a variety of reasons, usually customer needs (not cost) driven.
We have a three month no quibble, no fuss guarantee, so if you think that your varifocals should be doing something that the don't, take em
back! There will usually be a reason for this that can generally be rectified, and if not we'll change them to whatever you want, or give you a
full refund.
Premium grade lenses - these descriptions of the lenses are simply a descriptive "sales pitch" and in comparative terms mean absolutely
nothing from one supplier to another.
When dispensing a varifocal, we consider exisiting lens types, frame size and fitting, visual needs in terms of how the lens changes from distance to
reading, peripheral vision requirements, proportional make up of distance / near vision area, intermediate vision requirements, refractive index and
v-value of existing lens material, fitting heights and centres of existing lenses away from the norm, change in prescription, lens form etc. etc. A
judgement of quality based on the name of the lens is pointless. It also assumes that you had a pair of Specsavers Premium varifocals made up to the
exact same specification and prescription in the same frame in the same material to the same measurements for you to make your comparative judgment of
quality.
The internet provides a very cheap alternative to the majority of high street opticians in many cases, no overheads or qualified staff to pay, and if
you get lucky with varifocals you will get a pair that work for you, and I do mean lucky! Since the advent of internet spectacle supply, we have
mopped up more messes than you would believe that are caused by a lack of communication and information between the customer and supplier.
In most cases, the specs were so cheap that when they are not fit for purpose, the customer tolerates it, until it gets put right by someone with the
relevant skills and qualifications, or they just bin them, put it down to experience and start again.
As a Specsavers partner, I would openly tell you that the standard lens is an older design of lens which has now been significantly improved upon with
the advancement in research and manufacturing technology. As with any new design of product, there are associated costs, that drift away over a period
of time, as the R&D is paid for through sales of any product, so if you want the latest up to date technology in any industry it is generally more
expensive - its up to you whether you feel there is a benefit that outweighs the cost.
Not everyone needs a race technology Dash 2 with data logging at £2k plus, but some want the benefit of the extra features and performance.
You pay you money and take your choice!
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myke pocock
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| posted on 28/10/13 at 07:41 PM |
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Or you could take the Billy Connolly route and try for a prescription windscreen!!!
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r1_pete
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| posted on 28/10/13 at 08:45 PM |
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Thank you all for the input, I'm in the wrong for suggesting her specs may be a problem, women's logic!!! but I'm insisting she goes
back and makes sure what she has are suitable for driving in. Turns out she only has correction for close objects/reading, and wears them so she can
see the instruments!
The monster eye coming towards you eh Myke....
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