Part 0800.0005

[Sheilaz]

The title says it all, and who better to help with my research than the Omlet forum?

I wear varifocals, but would like to use contact lenses more often. My lenses are fine for long distance, but I end up putting on my reading specs such a lot, and often give up and go back to glasses.

Has anyone tried the long/short sighted prescriptions, one in each eye?

I've heard the brain adjusts, but wondered whether anyone here has tried, and whether reults were good or bad. Also, whether it's still Ok on glasses days.

Thanks.

[Egluntyne]

I used monovision lenses for a while, one for distance and one for reading.

 

They were OKish .... but I realised that I could see better distance wise without them, and could read better with my glasses, and that computer work was not easy with them, so I abandoned them in the end.

[..lay a little egg for me]

Yes, I've used near/far lenses for a couple of years now and have no trouble. I tend to shut the distance eye when needing a real close up view such as when threading a needle but for normal reading and all distances beyond, it works fine. I have noticed that if I am doing close work and then look up at the TV, it can take a moment to adjust. I have a difference of 1.75 diopters between the lenses. I started with a 1.25 difference but had to increase it after a year. The extra was a little harder to get used to but the smaller difference only took a day or two to become comfortable. The computer screen took a little longer to find comfortable than general vision and I think it is because it was on the limit of the near vision and a little close for the far vision. I just moved the monitor a bit closer! I don't notice any problem when I take my lenses out and use glasses. I dread the day I have to give up on the lenses and wear glasses because I hate wearing glasses with a passion. I would rather bumble about shortsightedly than wear them.

 

Give it a try I say!

[Christian]

Most places will give you a free trial Teabag. Why not get a few pairs and try them out? Depending on the prescription, they can take a few days to get used to. It took me about a week (single vision though) but now when I do wear them, they are great.

[The Dogmother]

Phil did exactly that, and because of his job he is quite demanding about the quality of vision that he has. He now has varifocal glasses for daytime use and uses lenses in the evenings when going out as it avoids the steamed up glasses problem. I understand that the vision provided by the lenses isn't as good as the glasses, this could be due to astigmatism though.

[Miss Millies Chicken]

I get my contacts from D & A now part of the boots group. With them you get a free trial which is useful as it took me quite a while to find the right prescription for me I tried different combinations and even varifocal contact lenses. My reading eye is dominant which causes a problem with distance. In the end I compromised and went with better distance and poorer reading. My friend who wears contacts has no problem what so ever. So go to an optician who is happy to supply free trials until you are happy.

[Sheilaz]

Thank you all for your posts, all very interesting. It's a good point that maybe I should give it a trial anyway. I was hoping lots of people would be finding it a brilliant method, but perhaps it suits some people and not others, and the prescription strengths may be a factor too.

I hadn't thought about the dominant eye factor, that's worth bearing in mind too, as I can't compromise on driving vision.

Will post again if I have a trial, but meanwhile welcome any more experiences of wearing long distance in one eye and short in other, thanks everyone.

[Angie]

OMG i loved my contacts, i had varifocals and monthly ones,( air optics) only took them out once a week to have a break and soak then back in for another week, they never went a full month though usually 24 days.

I had to give up when i got arthritis and my eyes went dry (sjrogrens) i hate wearing glasses and swapping for reading and i have to keep a pair in the car as i often leave the house without them on. Never had this with contacts.

Go give them a try, you can try as many as you want at Specsavers till you get the ones you like , then shop around for a good price and transfer your script. I would so wear them now if i could.

[Sheilaz]

That sounds really interesting Angie, I'm sorry you're no longer able to have them, so thank you very much for posting of your experiences.

I'm definitely interested to pursue this subject and will go for a consultation when I can get the time to investigate properly.

[Sheilaz]

Good and bad news update; Had my appointment at a different, independent, opticians. The bad news is I had a horrible day because I really don't like the optician so found the experience upsetting, and the pair I trialed are not comfortable (he said he would order my usual make if the trial went well)so I can't wear them, & I should be returning later this week to report back.

The good news is that, although it took a few hours to settle, I adjusted to the concept really well!

So, I'm never going back there again and have a complete back to the beginning appointment with my usual national chain opticians, where I "should have gone to...." in the first place.

I'm so pleased that it may be a workable option for me, I'll give another update when I've tested them properly and asked a few questions.

Thanks to everyone who responded, it made me get on with it.

[Sheilaz]

Well, I'm delighted to report that the trial has been a success and I am converted to this method.

It won't suit everyone, but I am happily wearing the new lenses every day.

[Olly]

Glad to hear it. I've more or less given up on contact lenses, I have varifocal glasses - my optician didn't recommend the near/far lenses because I spend most of my working day looking at a computer screen. I can't be bothered to put the lenses in these days, even for going out. It's good to know that it's worked for you though.