Varifocal lenses...
Varifocal lenses...
Off to get me eyes tested for new glasses today, thinking about maybe getting a pair of varifocal lenses but not sure they would work well riding a bike? I've never tried them before, and the only way of trying them is to buy a pair! But my eyes are getting worse with age and this looks like a good option. My worry is the limited field of view for distance seeing, so if someone can confirm using them without problems Im tempted to get some.. They're not bloody cheap though...
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storminateacup
- Posts: 715
- Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:38 pm
- Location: Maldon
Re: Varifocal lenses...
I discussed tyhis with my optician and he said to go with bi focals as varifocals can give some distortion at the edges. I told him that peripheral vision for me was very important and he said don't risk it. However I am sure that someone on here has them and can give first hand experience.
I was born with nothing and I still have most of it left.
Re: Varifocal lenses...
Squint here.
I wear them, and they're no problem.
You can see the clocks fine, but for everything else you look through the main part.
No difference at all to peripheral vision, except of course that where you try to look sideways past the extent of the lens you can't see out of the corner of your eye as well as you can when you look through the lens. But depending on your eyesight you can usually see cars and big stuff.
{Sidetrack- long time back, on a little 250, slipstreaming fast motorway traffic, I popped out of the slipstream of the car I was following and close behind the estate car going past in the lane to my right.
Imagine my surprise, dear reader, when I realised that he was towing a boat! I had to sit with my shoulder against the boat hull going past the car now to my left until I was past far enough to pull in again.
So nearly got run over by a boat on the M25, which would have entertained the insurance co no end}.
I avoid thick lenses (never saw Buddy holly ride a bike) but of course it's down to you.
One tip- take your lid with you when you try some frames on, then you can see if they'll fit OK in the aperture (Good Wednesday word, aperture).
Some lids are better than others, maybe flexible frames are a good idea.
I wear them, and they're no problem.
You can see the clocks fine, but for everything else you look through the main part.
No difference at all to peripheral vision, except of course that where you try to look sideways past the extent of the lens you can't see out of the corner of your eye as well as you can when you look through the lens. But depending on your eyesight you can usually see cars and big stuff.
{Sidetrack- long time back, on a little 250, slipstreaming fast motorway traffic, I popped out of the slipstream of the car I was following and close behind the estate car going past in the lane to my right.
Imagine my surprise, dear reader, when I realised that he was towing a boat! I had to sit with my shoulder against the boat hull going past the car now to my left until I was past far enough to pull in again.
So nearly got run over by a boat on the M25, which would have entertained the insurance co no end}.
I avoid thick lenses (never saw Buddy holly ride a bike) but of course it's down to you.
One tip- take your lid with you when you try some frames on, then you can see if they'll fit OK in the aperture (Good Wednesday word, aperture).
Some lids are better than others, maybe flexible frames are a good idea.
It's not falling off, it's an upgrade opportunity.
Re: Varifocal lenses...
Well I definitely needed new glasses, and tried the example varifocals they made up for me, but I didn't like them much. There are several grades you can get which offer a larger central 'window' (or rather, smaller areas of distortion at the sides). Prices ranged from about £90 up to £180 for their standard range, and more if you want the best available. In addition, to have the lenses 'thinned' is another £60, and the frames were extra. Seeing as I will have to go back in 12 months and get a new pair it was getting silly so I just ordered 2 pairs of standard glasses (distance and reading).
My missus had her eyes lasered years ago and although she doesn't need glasses now her sight isn't that good... Night vision is particularly affected with flaring due to headlights and street lamps. I wouldn't have it done myself as the long-term effects are not well known.
My missus had her eyes lasered years ago and although she doesn't need glasses now her sight isn't that good... Night vision is particularly affected with flaring due to headlights and street lamps. I wouldn't have it done myself as the long-term effects are not well known.
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LotusSevenMan
- Posts: 1915
- Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:32 pm
- Location: Liss, Hampshire. UK
Re: Varifocal lenses...
I wear varifocals for riding but experience taught me to have spot at which they go onto the close-up focusing 'ramp' lowered over the conventional point so that as you ride and your head 'nods' over bumps etc you don't get a weird sort of eyesight movement. Works for me!
"Only ride as fast as your guardian angel can fly" !!!