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Problems with varifocals

Posted , 2 users are following.

richard42918
richard42918

I am diabetic type 1 and recent tests suggest my eyes are "healthy". This is via optician and also the NHS annual check with the drops (although the nhs test is probably 9 months old).

However I have been having trouble with my varifocals such that I end up with headaches that need ibuprofen if I wear them for more than a few hours. These headaches go away fairly quickly if I take them off to read books for example and I do not get headaches if I use single distance lenses for computer use.

The opticians ran 3 eyesight tests over about 3 months and tweaked the prescription but in my opinion the tweaks were too small to account for any headaches and indeed they haven't gone away if I use the varifocals.

Even though I also have a pair of distance glasses now I really only use these for TV as I feel I need varying focus glasses when out and about.

The opticians seem to have run out of options and to be honest don't see why I should have problems with varifocals. To some extent this seems to be confirmed by internet searches where I can't find anyone else with this issue.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on the problem or could suggest alternatives?

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • isabel1
    isabel1 richard42918

    Posted

    Hi Richard

    i had this problem a few years ago and one of the opticians tried getting my lens from a different manufacturer.  It worked! No more headaches and no more sight problems.  Unfortunately I can no longer remember the name of the manufacturer but it’s worth asking your optician if he can get lens from somewhere else.

    • richard42918
      richard42918 isabel1

      Posted

      Thanks for the tip. I need to try something so definitely worth a go although I suspect I will need to change opticians as I am with an obvious high street chain!

      One thing I forgot to mention is that this issue I have has co-incided with 3 or 4 cases of vertigo although I cannot say it is linked because I wasn't aware of headaches relating to the varifocals beforehand.

  • isabel1
    isabel1 richard42918

    Posted

    It was one of the High Street chains that tried the different lens though not the one who is usually on tv or sends leaflets to you.  When I first had the lens I suffered from vertigo and felt sick.  When the make of lens changed I had no more problems.  I never realised that subtle differences in manufacture could cause such problems.  Hope you get something sorted.
  • richard42918
    richard42918

    Posted

    Thank you so much. Your symptoms sound identical to mine.

    Is it possible/allowed for you to tell me the make of yours as I suspect I would need to give specific requests as my experience with the chain is that unless I can do this they won't understand what is needed as they had given up on offering alternative options

  • richard42918
    richard42918

    Posted

    Oops just saw you couldn't remember the name- sorry for asking!

  • isabel1
    isabel1 richard42918

    Posted

    Do you know if you have standard varifocals or advanced varifocals.  The advanced are more expensive but can work much better.
  • richard42918
    richard42918

    Posted

    They weren't the cheapest but will need to check I think some of the pricing might have been related to less relevant stuff like scratch resistant type things

  • isabel1
    isabel1 richard42918

    Posted

    Have never bothered with scratch resistant as they too eventually scratch.  I do hope that you get the problem fixed.
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