From the moment you first try them-on, getting used to varifocals can be feel a little weird. When you first start wearing varifocal glasses, patience is essential as your eyes and mind learn to navigate the different focal areas through the lenses. The adjustment period varies, but you’ll likely settle into comfortable use within a few weeks.
Consistently wearing your varifocals is key to getting used to varifocal glasses. Issues with varifocals are common during the initial phase, but with regular use, these challenges diminish. It's crucial to wear your varifocals as often as possible to accelerate the adaptation process and reap the benefits of clear vision at all distances.
What are Varifocal Lenses?
Varifocals, also known as ‘progressives’, intelligently combine multiple prescriptions into a single pair of lenses. Instead of having two or three pairs of ‘single vision’ glasses, they cleverly facilitate all three vision zones, ranging from close, intermediate and distance; all in-one.
You can find 3 portions in the varifocal lenses:
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The upper portion of the lenses offer your ‘distance’ vision correction for visual tasks beyond arm’s length such as watching TV or driving your car.
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The middle portion of the lenses are for ‘intermediate’ vision correction for visual tasks at arm’s length such as using your computer.
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The lowermost portion of the lenses are for ‘close’ vision correction for visual tasks within 30cm such as reading, writing or using your phone.
Unlike bifocals which have a discernible ‘reading segment’ in the lenses, varifocals have no visible lines or segments which helps make them more visually appealing. To onlookers, they appear just like regular lenses. Nobody can tell.
How Much Time Does It Take to Get Used to Varifocal Lenses?
Varifocal lenses can take a few days to a few weeks to fully adjust. But if it’s your first time with varifocal lenses, then it may take more than a week. Also, you may feel a headache, pain in your eyes, and blurriness.
This happens because of multiple focal points in a single vision. And if you are facing this problem for a month, then you should to take an appointment with your optician.
What Makes Varifocal Glasses Difficult to Get Used To?
A varifocal lens is designed with multiple focal points within a single lens. This allows individuals to see clearly at near, intermediate, and far distances. Adjustment time for your varifocal lenses may vary depending on the person, their health, lifestyle, and type of lenses.
You can choose higher-end varifocal lenses that offer you a much smoother, more comfortable transition period and better vision quality.
Struggling to Focus
After wearing varifocal glasses, you need to give your brain and eyes some time to adjust to processing all these different distances, depths, and visual perceptions. Your visual system required a few weeks to figure out this new way of seeing the world.
Depth Perception Takes Some Getting Used To
Activities like walking up stairs or reaching for objects can feel a bit tricky at first, and that's completely normal. You are basically training your eyes to focus on specific parts of the lens depending on what you're trying to see.
Headaches and Dizziness
You might experience a swimming-like feeling or slightly seasick when you're walking around with your new varifocals. This happens because your brain is getting used to processing three different focal points simultaneously, which can lead to headaches, dizziness, and even some nausea.
Peripheral Distortion Is Normal But Manageable
When three different lenses are combined into one single lens, you may feel some blurriness at the edges, which is called peripheral distortion. It's just physics, and every varifocal lens has some degree of this.
If you're feeling all of these things, give your vision some time to get used to Varifocals.
Tips For Getting Used To Your Varifocal Lenses Faster
There are several proven methods to try right at home for getting used to your varifocal lenses.
Wear Them Consistently
Everything is completely dependent on persistence and practice. These lenses are completely brand new for your eyes and visual system, so you need to give your brain some time to adjust to them.
Try simple activities like reading a book, arranging your room, walking inside your home, etc. You should train your eyes to automatically find the right spot.
Test Different Environments to Build Confidence
Varifocal lenses are perfect lenses to wear anytime, anywhere. These lens offers three focal points in one pair of glasses. Try them while working on your computer screen, reading documents, walking on the road, shopping, cycling, driving, or meeting friends.
Get Your Positioning Just Right
Your varifocals need to sit correctly on your face to ensure the different parts of the lenses line up properly with your eyes. When they're positioned right, this helps to focus clearly and minimizes peripheral distortion that can be annoying.
Take Regular Breaks
Don’t try these varifocal lenses over a long period of time. You can follow the 20-20-20 rule to shift your focus from one thing. This will help to adjust your lenses with any fatigue or headache.
Avoid Wearing Old Glasses
This might be the most important tip to follow. When your varifocals feel uncomfortable or frustrating, you might instinctively reach for your old glasses for relief. Don't do it! Switching between your old glasses and your new varifocals can slow down your adjustment process significantly.
Try these tips for a week or two. If you do not see any changes, then visit your optician first.
What to Know While Buying Varifocal Lenses?
Get the Right Prescription
Your prescription of new varifocal glasses must be absolutely correct. Make sure you visit a qualified optometrist who really knows their stuff to get your eyes thoroughly examined. Don't skip any part of the eye test, and answer every question correctly. A proper prescription is the foundation of everything else, so it's worth investing the time to get this right from the beginning.
Fit of Your Glasses
Improper fitting can completely sabotage your varifocal experience and lead to persistent headaches, dizziness, and more. It shouldn't be so tight that it pinches your nose or temples. But it also can't be too loose that it slides around on your face all day.
Right Frame Style for Your Vision Needs
Choosing the right frame style is just as important as looking good. The right frame actually helps to enhance your range of view and significantly reduces that annoying peripheral distortion.
Visit your optometrist. Your optometrist can help you understand which frame style will work best based on your prescription and how you use your glasses throughout the day.
Maintenance and Care for Your Varifocals
Proper maintenance of your varifocal glasses is absolutely essential for ensuring clear vision. Because you are relying on these glasses every single day for everything from reading your morning coffee cup to driving safely at night. So, it is important to choose one
Use the Right Tools Every Time
Always use a clean microfiber cloth paired with a gentle lens-cleaning solution to clear your lenses. You must avoid the use of rough fabrics, tissues, or household cleaners on your varifocals.
Using anything can actually scratch your lenses or damage those important protective coatings.
Always Use a Protective Case
Always store your varifocals in a sturdy, protective case when you're not wearing them. You should avoid placing your glasses face down on any surface. Purchase a good case to keep them safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know when you need varifocal glasses?
For most people who already wear glasses, you may consider wearing them after your 40s. In this age, your eye muscles naturally start getting weaker as you age. You will need a separate pair of glasses for reading a book and checking your phone. Rather than buying a bifocal lens, you can consider varifocal glasses. You can also visit your optometrist to confirm your prescription.
Is It Safe to Drive with Varifocals?
Driving with varifocals is absolutely safe once you've given yourself enough time to fully adapt to the different zones of vision work. Initially, some people may find it challenging while driving. You might feel uncertain with depth perception and vertical lines.
Once you're fully adapted, wearing varifocals while driving becomes completely second nature.
When to Speak to Your Optician About Varifocal Challenges
You should definitely book an appointment with your optician if you are consistently struggling with your varifocals after 2 weeks.
How to save money on varifocal lenses?
Consider starting with entry-level varifocal lenses, which can be a much more affordable option while still giving you the multi-distance vision correction you need. These lenses work better for many people than spending money on bifocals. If you found these lenses well, then you can consider premium varifocal lenses.
Hopefully you found this article helpful. For more advice and information about varifocals, please check out these other related articles.