Specsavers SuperDrive/SuperDigital lenses

I don't wear glasses all the time, currently just reading glasses for my laptop and computer, but I do benefit from my distance glasses for driving though not essential yet.

I'm hoping varifocals solve the problem when I'm sat on the sofa wearing my reading glasses for my laptop, but have to change to my distance glasses if I look up at the TV?

So if I go varifocal route I guess I may have to leave them on all day and get my eyes used to them, then take them on/off when needed.

Thanks for that.

Yes, currently my contacts prescription is set up as Monovision which I can tolerate, left eye for computer work / light reading & the right for distance.

Might try a pair of trial varifocals & see if they might work for me.

Thanks for the review. Did Specsavers staff spend much time with fitting your glasses and getting your measurements right ?

I was advised the same by Specsavers, Boots and another company - an advanced lens such as the superdrive / super digital might well be too difficult to get used to if you’re brand new to vari-focals.
Since then, I’ve been wearing them for about 5 years so had several evolutions in prescription and gone to different shops for glasses depending on what frames they had. The best lenses I’ve had were Zeiss from Vision Express 2 years ago but sadly they stopped doing them before my renewal was due last autumn so I went looking round.
I know we don’t name and shame but just my experience of SS last year. I was given super digital but they just gave me complete tunnel vision. I gave them a go for a full week. (Had to wear old ones to drive and walk around else I’d crash or fall over!)
Took them back and had them remade with different eye width or height measurements and tried for another week. Still very difficult.
Took them back and was offered super drive which should be better because it’s a much less ‘busy’ lens. Still rubbish for me after 3 weeks so got a refund and went back to Vision Express for their latest Esselor type. They’re nowhere near as effortless as my old VE ones but I’ll put up with them.

I found this. Reverted back to clear lenses after that pair.

The thinner lens material has a higher refractive index.

The main disadvantage is higher cost, the main advantages are that for people with a stronger prescriptions the lenses are lighter, fit more easily into the frame, a wider choice of frame compared to heavier lenses. Also there is an effect from the perspective of a 3rd party that it reduces the effect of altering the size of the wearer's eyes resulting in a more natural effect.

Other disadvantages are that you can get more reflections, and possibly more prone to scratching, though that's where coatings come in, at more cost unfortunately.

The very highest refractive indexes are really only for those with very strong prescriptions in my opinion.

Again it's the case that you're now better informed when you have the discussion with your optician.

Probably o/t but there's a captive audience of glasses wearers.....

Will glasses help me focus quicker? I've never worn/needed glasses, have an eye exam every 2 years but have noticed lately that it's taking much longer to focus from near to far. Once focussed I can see clearly, it's just that transition from near to far is taking too long for my liking.

Optician says it's a natural age thing but didn't recommend anything.

Think Specsavers were roughly that price with their £25 frames when I first looked at them 5 years ago.

Of course, none of those frames fit me properly so I have to shop in the £175+ designer sections of all the shops

Asda Opticians. The first ones I got from them 4 years ago were only £39, but that's inflation for you! They were Shamir Freeform and were absolutely fantastic and the best varifocals (or indeed glasses) I'd ever had. My understanding is that Shamir have now been bought by Essillor, and my latest pair don't seem to be quite as good (although they are still very good IMHO), that may be because my reading section has changed.. Asda are cagey, and I had to ask them twice whether their 'house' lenses would be as good as previously - it seems their 'own brand' are made by Essillor, but it's a secret
4 years ago auto-darkening (or whatever it's called) could also be included at no cost, but now it's £39 extra..... As I don't like it that wasn't a consideration.
Also, I understand the high index 'strength' isn't the customer's choice, and they decide. ie I guess if you need -2.5 dioptres you won't get 1.74 index!
As you so rightly say though - a keen price.