Varifocal glasses on motor bikes

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Does anyone have experience of using varifocal glasses when motorcycling?

I wear glasses for distance, especially riding and driving. When I'm on a trip they aren't ideal for map reading (small print, coloured background) so I thought I'd try varifocals. I explained my requirements to the optician and specified that the "reading zone" should be relatively small. I was warned that varifocals blur towards the edges of the lenses, so I paid extra for a treatment to maximise the visible area, mimimise the blurred areas.

To say I'm disappointed with the result is an understatement. For distance vision they are next to useless away from the top dead centre. Pedestrians at the side of the road and traffic at junctions are blurred. When I look over my shoulder to turn or change lanes I can make out only large objects. It's not just inconvenient; I'd say downright dangerous. Am I the only one to think so?

[AlanH]

Should have gone to SpecSavers

(I'll get my coat)

[ADE THE BLADE]

Should have gone to SpecSavers

(I'll get my coat)

strangely enough thats where i went for mine and returned them for 2 pairs of single vision within 48 hours. never again. totally lethal. tried them out in me car first ( luckily ? ) and everything just went ballistic. same symptoms as DW plus oncoming traffic seemed to veer towards me causing me to swerve into kerb unnecessarily. really frightening. would never, ever try them on a bike...........plain suicidal i reckon. dolly bird in shop said they would be fine in a week or so........aint taking any chances love.....shove em !!

[barkingbiker]

Aye, Varifocals are the pits.
Needing varifocals is the pits.
Getting old is the pits.

I had 3 pairs from Specsavers before I was happy with the results. Like you, I found that there's a 'sweet spot' in the centre, and on a bike you keep your head still and constantly scan around in front of you. I ended up with Essilor lenses which minimise the distortion. They cost a shedload at about 300 beer tokens just for the lenses but I find them just about acceptable.

If you're not happy with what you've got, take them back! Most stores will try again, give you credit or even give a refund.

Good luck.

BB

[Austin]

I went to specsavers, they were excellent, eventually.

A few months ago I paid out £400 for a various upgrades to get myself what I hoped were going to be 2 pairs of the best glasses ever as well as my first varifocals. To cut a long story short I had to get the transition point to reading considerably lowered for day to day wearing else I was always looking through the wrong bit of the lense. After a bit of persistence I now think they are great, although I swap to a pair of single (distance) vision lenses for driving. The varifocals are fine on the bike.

You need to persist with them and get used to the idea that for really crisp vision you need to be looking through the right bit of the lense. For over the shoulder glances you aren't really looking for detail anyway and I am pretty sure I don't even look through my lenses anyway as it will out the corner of my eye.

I also wear single vision contact lenses ocassionaly but do need to get some reading glasses for when I wear these.

Go back to the Optician and get the transition point checked. Specsavers did a whole new pair of glasses for me with a much lower transition point when I complained they weren't right. Then persist. I know varifocal and bifocal aren't for everyone and really give acceptable vision most of the time, with 20/20 vision some of teh time.

good luck

[Austin]

oh, forgot to add the position of the glasses on your face changes where the transition point in the lense aligns with your eye. This is adjustable to some extent by the nose pads - both the size and shape of them and how close they are together and by the length and shape of the glasses' legs. The further down your nose, or further away from your face then the transition point is lower, ie gives you distance vision for a greater range and near vsion for a smaller range. A good optician should be adjusting all this to get the "sweet spot" right for you. I spent about 1.5 hours with the optician in specsavers getting all this right for me.

[alpslapper]

I couldnt get on with them. Went back to a pair for reading/computers and a pair for riding/driving.

Luckily though work pays for it all.

I know people that have no problems with them at all, but try as I might, I just couldnt get on with them.

[Jacqueslemac]

I wear varifocals all the time and have no problems at all on the bike. I do remember going for more expensive ones with a smaller Reading area (or something). You do have to perservere with them for a few days.

[Boris]

I haven't had any problem with mine on the bike (or car) they did take a few days to get used to but after that they have been fine.

I suppose I should add I only use them for short journeys as for longer days in the saddle I wear contact lenses as they are comfier and they don't steam up when I stop.

[Treadtrader]

When i bought my first varifocal specs a few years i found then a revelation.
Up until then i had only worn reading glasses. But never driving or riding.
Now i can read my tripmaster and see how fast i'm going

But would'nt it be great not to wear any? No steaming up on rainy days.

Anyone considered laser eye surgery? Expensive but just think, no more cleaning your specs everytime you stop.