Have you heard about the recent optical superstar? Varifocal lenses- a trending option for regular eyeglass wearers.
Be it a distant vision, near or intermediate, varifocal covers all the major optical zones to ensure a better vision without letting the wearer switch between glasses. Despite its usability and reliability, wearers often complain about these advanced eyeglass lenses.
The best part is these magical lenses are the best option for those struggling with short and long-sightedness. These super lenses have a spectrum of focal power that ensures two corrective power in one lens.
So before we discuss its flaws, let’s take a quick insight into this verging on wizardry optical lenses!
What are varifocal glasses?
Varifocal lenses or progressive lenses are a unique invention in the field of optometry. It covers multiple focal points between the top of the lens and the bottom and ensures a gradual change in strength. Apart from its vision-correcting features, the lack of a dividing line unlike the bifocal lens makes these lenses way more appealing.
They specialize in multifocal correction and provide optical solutions for several eye conditions like presbyopia, hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism in one pair of glasses. Depending upon your intended use these lenses can be customized for better effect. Some of the common types are:
- Everyday varifocal lenses for multi-distance viewing for variable life scenarios.
- Occupational varifocal lenses are a little more fine-tuned and provide a more concise degree of visual correction for a more consistent environment.
Advantages of Varifocal lens:
- This is the most versatile option for regular glass wearers as it changes power gradually and provides a clear vision for any range of distance.
- Due to no visible reading areas, these look just like single vision lenses and ensure a better cosmetic appearance than bifocals.
Although it seems cool to wear one, it comes with certain drawbacks. Here are some!
Disadvantages of Varifocal lenses:
- Adapting these glasses can be a real challenge, as they offer more distortions in peripheral vision.
- These are pretty expensive.
- Like bifocals, one must keep their head straight and look down to read.
- Not a good option for those with dizziness, or balance problems such as vertigo.
Pacing up with varifocal lenses can be pretty challenging. Not only first-time wearers, but even experienced wearers can also face increased distortion if they have a very strong prescription. Let’s check out more on this!
Common Problems with varifocal glasses
- Varifocals can make you feel dizzy and cause headaches, stiff neck, fatigue, and constantly tripping when going up the stairs.
- Losing focus is another common problem with varifocal glasses for those people who require quick changes in near and middle-distance focus.
- One may even experience a swimming sort of feeling while walking.
How to get adjusted with Varifocal glasses?
It might take a few weeks or just some days to get used to these magical lenses. After all, you must provide some time to your brain to get used to the new world. But, how to do that? Here it is!
- Keep a set of emergency glasses, just in case.
- Change the route, to keep your brain active so that you can avoid tripping while you are in transition to getting new lenses.
- Try not to avoid wearing them. Use them continuously to get adjusted better and faster.
- In case of utmost difficulty consult your near one who uses the same kind of lenses or contact your optician.
What is the alternative to varifocals?
Varifocals are great once you get seasoned with them. But until you do, it could be easy to pay off an ‘Absolutely fine’ look all the time you keep it on. And, what’s the use if you could not utilize the benefit even after investing in it?
Enhanced Reading Lenses and Occupational Progressive Lenses, could be possible solutions to your problem. It offers a big benefit of larger mid-range and near areas and extra range to single-vision reading glasses. Thereby, making these sorts of lenses a great alternative to varifocal lenses.
Final Verdict!
It might be a bit tricky to get accustomed to these advanced optical lenses- Varifocals. But once you do, trust me- you would enjoy keeping them on. Your reflexes would automatically get adjusted with the alignment of different zones in the lenses, thereby offering a smooth and effortless visionary experience.
