Tired eyes? It takes time to get used to varifocals. Photo by Towfiqu Barbhuiya on Unsplash.

Are your varifocals making you dizzy or giving you a headache? You’re not alone. Getting used to varifocals can take some time. So how do you know whether there’s a problem with your new varifocal lenses or if you just need time to adjust? We asked some varifocal wearers – and our in-house expert, Mr Patel – for their tips on how to get used to varifocals.

Common problems with varifocal glasses

Adjusting to any new pair of glasses takes time, but getting used to varifocals can be particularly tricky. Your eyes need time to get used to refocusing as they switch between different prescription strengths within the same lens. The soft-focus zones at the sides of varifocal lenses narrow your peripheral vision slightly, meaning you need to move your head more.

Common teething problems with varifocal lenses include:

• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Tired eyes
• Trouble with balance and depth perception

Luckily, most people fully adjust, and these problems are only temporary.

How long does it take to get used to varifocals?

Many people get used to new varifocal lenses within a week. For others, it may take longer.

Richard, from Wiltshire, has been wearing varifocal glasses for 12 years. He doesn’t remember any issues with his first pair of varifocals, but his most recent pair took about a week to “bed in”. He sometimes felt a bit dizzy at first. Now, he wears them all day and barely notices them. “Once your eyes know what they’re doing, you don’t know you’re wearing them.”

Andrea, from Yorkshire, has been wearing varifocals for 10 years. When she first started, she noticed a bit of fuzziness when walking and looking at the ground. It just took her a few days to get used to this, but closer to a month to get used to the soft-focus zones at the sides of the lenses.

These experiences are typical of many varifocal first-time wearers.

Are varifocals worth it?

If you’re willing to go through the adjustment period, varifocal lenses have some great benefits. You can see a range of distances without needing to change your glasses.

Andrea says she wouldn’t go back to single-vision lenses, even though they’re cheaper. With varifocals, she doesn’t have to remove her glasses constantly to see papers and the computer screen at work.

Richard tried varifocals after realising he was balancing his reading glasses on the end of his nose while driving. Now, he can switch between the dashboard and the road ahead safely, without having to peer over the top of his glasses. He’s also found varifocals useful for other activities where he switches between close-up and mid- to long-distance vision, such as fly fishing.

Not sure if varifocals are right for you? Check out our guide to Bifocal Vs. Varifocal lenses.

Expert tips on how to get used to varifocals

So, maybe you’ve decided to commit to varifocals, but how can you speed up the process of getting used to them?

Mr Patel from LensXpress offers this advice: “Wear your varifocals regularly, move your head to focus, not your eyes, and give yourself time to adjust.”

The more you wear your new varifocals the first few days after you get them, the quicker you’ll adjust.

However, if varifocals affect your depth perception, avoid wearing them for risky activities until your eyes have adapted.

If you still struggle after a few weeks, speak with your optician to check that your prescription or lens fitting is correct.

Things to consider when buying varifocals

Because of the different powers within a varifocal lens, it’s important that the right part of the lens sits over your pupil. For this reason, depending on the type of lens, you may need to give some measurements, such as your pupil height and pupillary distance. According to a recent Which? report, some retailers don’t always take these measurements into account, so check carefully.

You can find out your pupillary distance from a registered optician or use our simple guide.

It’s also worth thinking carefully about which type of varifocals to choose. Modern digital (freeform) varifocals have a wider field of view than traditional varifocals, making it easier for you to adapt. This is the type we sell at LensXpress.

Some varifocals are designed specifically for certain situations, such as the workplace. Read more about occupational lenses.

Ready to give varifocals a try?

Did you know you can replace the lenses in your existing frames with varifocals? At LensXpress, we reglaze glasses, meaning you can get new lenses and keep your old frames, saving you money. Interested?
Send us your glasses to reglaze now.

“I’ve been through three sets of varifocals from different providers, and these are the only ones that have worked perfectly for me straight out of the box. The optician clearly took precise measurements, and the glasses fitted perfectly when they arrived – no adjustments needed whatsoever.”—S. Patel

If you’re considering upgrading, our post on 3 Reasons Why It’s Worth Reglazing Your Glasses explains why replacing the lenses in your current frames can be a smart choice.