Varifocals Online
Social Bookmarks: del.icio.us Digg it Furl Google ma.gnolia reddit Simpy Squidoo YahooMany of you have asked “Why can’t you supply varifocals online?â€
First let me explain a little how Varifocals work.
I am sure you probably know this but Varifocals blend gradually from your Distance prescription Through your intermediate prescription into your Reading prescription.
This means that the exact point of the distance part of the lens needs to be set at the same height as your pupil (This needs to be millimetre perfect).
The way we would normally measure this in the practice is to place the frame on the patient and measure the distance between the patients pupil and the bottom rim of the new frame in millimetres.Â
Each frame you wear will have a different height measurement. Now if we put the same model frame on 3 different people, we would again have 3 different results. Obviously when purchasing Varifocals online this measurement cannot be taken and it’s not a measurement that can be taken from an old pair of glasses and incorporated into a new pair.Some companies will supply them but they will estimate the measurement and they may not work out. We are testing a solution at the moment and the results are looking very good.
This will involve purchasing the glasses online from a selection of suitable frames, we will then send out the frame with a return envelope so that you can take a photo and return the photo with the glasses for glazing.
We have a special tool which will be clipped to the glasses and allows us to scale and measure the photo.
Full details when this is launched will be made available (at a discount) to subscribers of the eye care blog updater service first.
Click here if you would like to subscribe to the eye care blog updater service.
Please also feel free to leave comments using the comments option below.
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July 27th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
I would be interested in this if it works. please let me know how it goes.
July 28th, 2007 at 11:19 am
I think this seems like a good way of doing it, lets hope it works out OK
July 28th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Hi Mark, I would be your best customer if this all works out. I am sure that you would have many customers like myself who are fed up with being ripped off by opticans. Good luck.
July 30th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Sounds good,as long as the choice of “suitable frames” is varied and includes a wide choice of designer frames such as the one I purchased from you recently and am pleased with.Good luck!
July 31st, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Thank you for your posts so far.
At first we will be launching this service with our main section glasses. EG, Suitable Gents, Ladies, Unisex. We may then roll this out to other ranges depending on the response.
Many Thanks
Mark Bowden
July 31st, 2007 at 12:44 pm
I got some varifocals from another online supplier (cheaper than yours on other types). They worked quite well so I ordered another with different frames, sending exactly the same prescription and same standard PD of 63(unmeasured). This second pair certainly did not despite fiddling with nosepieces, etc! I virtually never wear the second pair and it has put me off ordering any online, even though the shops charges are ridiculous. Your method may be a solution?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Thanks for explaining the difficulties with purchasing Varifocals on-line.
I would like to know please if they can be thinned.
If they can and your method works I would be interested.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Thanks Graham
Yes these will be available in 1.6, 1.67 and 1.74 along with some other options.
Mark Bowden
July 31st, 2007 at 2:06 pm
will certainly be interested just paid £160 for new frames as I broke the last one and this was using the same lens.
GOOD LUCK can’t wait
July 31st, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Hi Mark.
A problem that I have with my varifocals (purchased at rip-off price from high street dispenser)is that the frames fall further down my nose as I ware them. This means that most of the time I am looking through the top (distance) half of the lens, even when trying to work on close up items. Should the frames always be positioned high on the bridge to prevent this, making the lens close to the eye, and will bending the ear ‘hooks’ correct this problem?
July 31st, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Thank you Peter.
Yes, it sounds like your glasses need further adjustments. You could call in to your opticians and explain that they are slipping down and they should be able to sort this out for you.
Adjusting the ear ‘hooks’ as you stated should solve the problem. IE they need to be tighter to prevent them from slipping down.
Many Thanks
Mark Bowden
July 31st, 2007 at 4:33 pm
An excellent idea. At the moment high streets are charging extortionate price for them
July 31st, 2007 at 4:50 pm
I am holding back from paying over the odds on the high street for a pair of varifocals, in the hope that you can offer this service in the very near future. Currently I am putting up with 2 pairs of glasses for reading and VDU work. Can’t wait to get a single pair that does both!
July 31st, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Don’t use varifocals myself but several friends whom i have told about spex4lesss have asked are they available. Shouls be popular.
Best wishes
July 31st, 2007 at 5:34 pm
I bought a pair of varifocals at a supposedly enourmous saving at Specsavers,(only £208.00) There were very few sensible frames to choose from, most of them being designer styles which were far too narrow to accommodate a good trasnsition from distance to reading. Result, Have to hold my head back in order to read through the very narrow area at the bottom.
Very disapointed in them. I hope Mark that you can come up with frames that are more suited to this type of lens, to hell with how fashionable they look:)
July 31st, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Will look forward to the varifocals comming out,also would like my lens thinner,, Then that just leaves the problem of seeing what the glasses look like on, before buying them!!
July 31st, 2007 at 6:04 pm
hi mark
i use varifocals at the moment ,i wonder if you can get them polarised i need them for fishing
July 31st, 2007 at 6:23 pm
hi. i will be very interested if all goes well
July 31st, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Hi Mark
If you get your varifocals working you will have both my wife and me each buying a pair from you. Get your foot to the floor and make it happen soon!
All the best,
Tom
July 31st, 2007 at 8:15 pm
My local optician wants £250 for the cheapest frame with varifocals.
Since I am a pensioner I simply cant afford this price and Im making do with my old spexs. What happens if I order from you and the new spex are not an improvement?
July 31st, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Hope the trials are successful; this could be another another nail in the coffin for the rip-off high street opticians.
July 31st, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Once again thank you for your comments.
Christine, with this sytem you will be able to see the glasses on as you will have to take the photo wearing them for us to get the measurements so hopefully this will help.
John, there will be a polarized option. We have done these through the shop so look out for the launch.
Perky Duck, As always each pair i supply is covered by my money back guarantee so theres nothing to loose by giving it a go.
Mike, yes we will be launching this at first with only frames that are most suitable for varifocal glazing.
Once again thanks for the comments keep them coming.
Mark Bowden
July 31st, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Am looking for a pair of varifocals but will hold off till you get your idea up and running
July 31st, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Thank you Mark for the good news, we will hang there until we hear from you. May I suggest we purchase some cheap frames here in S.Africa, photographing them on our faces, with pupil markings, etc. and then post them to you with our scripts.
What do you think of that? Anyway good luck please keep up the good work. Regards, Hugh & Billie Robinson.
August 1st, 2007 at 7:35 am
I would be interested varifocals. There is very little choice on the high street for modern frames due to the depth of lens required -as other people have already mentioned. Just because older people wear varifocals doesnt mean we are over the hill and dont want to be fashionable.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:20 am
I would be VERY interested in buying varifocals on-line having just returned an expensive, high street optician’s pair because they were not up to standard!
August 1st, 2007 at 11:03 am
i am so pleased to hear that you are nearing a solution for the supply
of varifocals lenes and frame and will be very interested in purchasing them from your company
August 1st, 2007 at 11:03 am
Thanks for explaination. I will now make sure the frame is a perfect fit before buying.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:18 am
I would be interested too in varifocals,especially rimless with thin lenses, I work on a computer and find my vari-focals do not have a wide enough mid-range for computer use,so have to resort to using old reading glasses for work
August 1st, 2007 at 11:32 am
A wonderful idea. My new glasses cost over £400. there is no way I will be able to afford that again for a few years.I hope the new technology works.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:41 am
Funny, I have just been thinking of driving up to you for a pair of variofocals.
August 1st, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Go for it mate. Esp. with the money back guarantee, I WILL BUY.
Prescription is fairly high as I have Astigmatism….is that OK?
August 1st, 2007 at 3:33 pm
I’ve bought 3 pairs of specs online and found them great, but my mum wears varifocals and would be great if she could them online and pay less than she did at her local optician recently! theres some frames I think that would look great on mum, at the mo I’ve asked her to decide did she want them in reading or distance, be cool if she could just use the one pair for everything!
August 1st, 2007 at 4:25 pm
varifocals.no problem to a competitor of yours-they sent the actual frames purchased with glazing.a fine felt tipped pen.instructions for a third party to mark-up.return jiffy bag.despite using second class post perfect product received but slowly surely this is not rocket science
August 1st, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Exciting news about the varifocals. Just let me know how it goes and will be very interested.
August 1st, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Hi Mark,
Sounds like a great idea. My wife wears varifocals, but she has a reaction to ordinary frames and has to have titanium ones. Would your range include them?
August 1st, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Having just bought a pair of varifocals and had all sorts of grief getting then right (they went back twice for new lenses) I would be very interested!
August 1st, 2007 at 7:11 pm
I would be very interested in getting varifocals on line as I recently paid £450 for my thin plastic lens polarised pair at Vision express after my other frame broke and had to get them as an emergency ( I cant see without my glasses!) I really need two pairs in case of any more accidents but no way can I afford to spend another £450!!!
August 1st, 2007 at 8:49 pm
This sounds like an excellent opportunity. I have to date resisted varifocals as they are so expensive on the high street and I can just get away legally with no distance glasses on. Having affordable varifocals would make all the difference. Is it possible to specify the intermediate distance as I work all day on computers and need to be able to read dual screens about an arms length away?
August 1st, 2007 at 11:08 pm
It sounds good and hopefuly will provide the first safe way to order these online. good luck
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:28 am
I too would be very interested in varifocals ONLINE.
I wear varifocals but have to keep tilting my head upwards to get focussed on the the computer screen.
Most times I have to resort to using old reading glasses to work comfortably for protracted periods of time.
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:17 am
Thank you Arthur.
We have thought about and tested this way before. However, it is still not quite acurate enough (In my opinion).
Like I have always said there are companies out there that will supply varifocals online using all sorts of different methods that may work out “most of the time” (Some already using the photo sytem which we will be launching).
However, if I didn’t do my own testing I would not be doing you guys justice. I would never supply varifocals unless I am confident that the sytem is as close to a face to face visit as possible.
I have also noted that some people have suggested by (e-mail) the upload photo option with a scale determined by the PD and marking the pupils on screen. Whilst this sounds acurate there is no way of knowing how high the actual frame will sit on your face unless you are wearing them. This sytem is not as acrurate as Arthurs method above. All of us have different shaped noses which will effect how high the frame will sit and Im afraid no computer software is readilly available to do this just yet.
Jimminny, thank you.
Varifocals are not ideal for long time use on a PC. Have you considered bifocals with Intermediate in the top and reading in the bottom just for using the computer?
There is also a varifocal which can be made like this. eg Intermediate and reading use only. I will be covering this in a future topic.
Many Thanks
Mark Bowden.
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:56 am
I look forward with interest to your news release on variofolcal’s and appreciate the simplicity regarding the information given.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:03 pm
I would certainly buy varifocals from you if you manage to get this problem sorted out. I have a webcam so it would be very simple to take the photograph and get the position right.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Thank you Anne
Web cam would not be needed to do this just a standard digital cammara (for speed) or normal film cammara (you would have to get this developed).
Mark Bowden
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Hi Mark,
Look forward to being able to purchase from you in the future. This problem with varifocals is the onlly thing that has stopped me in the past.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:22 pm
I bought some Gucci frames on Ebay. Would you be able to glaze those with varifocals from a photo?
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Thank you Gwen
The sytem we are launching requires that a special tab is placed on the lenses. This allows us to scale the photo.
When this is succesfully launched I will try to incorporate this on to our reglaze section. Currently this is only available providing that you have varifocal lenses in the frame already.
Many Thanks
Mark Bowden
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Hi Mark,
I am very interested in this, having been quoted astronomical prices by Boots. Can you elaborate on the comment above regarding varifocals not being ideal for computer use, as this is a large part of my job.
Regards,
David.
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Hello Mark
Great news that you will shortly be able to spply vari focal specs, You say that to achieve this, you will send unglazed frames, with a return envelope, to get the exact hieght of the lens.
How would this work with totally rimless specs please??.
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Thank you David,
Yes, when looking straight ahead through your varifocals you are looking through the “Distance” part of the lens.
So to focus on your PC monitor which should be straight ahead you need to tilt you head slightly backwards to focus your monitor through the “Intermediate” part of the lens. This can cause discomfort.
Now there are varifocals on the market which are made for office use “Occupational Varifocals”. They start of with a prescription closer to your intermediate prescription so you can focus up to 2 meters away and gives good intermediate and reading use. However, you can not use them for driving or distance use etc…
We have solved this problem for people in the past who spend alot of time at the PC but also need to read by glazing a pair of bifocals with the top portion for inermediate use and the bottom for reading which works out much cheaper that the varifocal option. However, again they cannot be used for driving and distance use.
My advice if you need correction for all distances and spend long periods at the computer is to have your every day Varifocals, Bifocals etc.. for normal use and then maybe a cheap pair of Intermediate + Reading Bifocals, Occupational Varifocals or even a pair of single vision intermediate glasses just for use at the computer.
Many Thanks
Mark Bowden
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Thank you David Hutton
This will work in the same way. Rimless glasses will be supplied with “Dummy Lenses” so the measurments will be taken in the same way as the full rimmed or semmi rimless glasses.
However, it is worth noting that rimless varifocals will be quite expensive as they need to be made from a poly carbonate material.
Hope all this helps
Many Thanks
Mark Bowden
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:58 pm
This recent information on varifocals I find very interesting,especially glasses that can be used solely on my PC. I think your innovation is very clever. I look forward to developments.
August 3rd, 2007 at 5:54 am
Hi Mark, your project is very interesting and I am certainly a potential customer. Your other correspondents have raised more queries on the subject than I would have thought possible; so I am really only replying to show support. - From a personal veiwpoint (as a total incompetent), what I need are indestructible varifocal lenses, mounted in rubber frames - but I imagine that is a project for another day!
Best regards
August 3rd, 2007 at 11:20 pm
Hi Mark,
I am very interested in this idea, I have also been ripped off by high street opticians for my varifocals and I am still not convinced that I was measured correctly for them. Although I never wear my frames high up on the bridge of my nose (and I did tell them so) they insisted on positioning them there when measuring, consequently I have difficulty focussing when I wear my frames in the ‘comfortable’ position.
The info you gave above about wearing varifocals when using PC is great, thanks for that - make a lot of sense now and I understand better why I have problems. I also spend a lot of time at a PC. My problem with this is that when at work (I am a Doctors receptionist) I sit at a desk in front of a PC, then go to the reception desk to speak to patients and make appointments etc (on the PC), then do filing, read prescriptions, do a little typing, make coffee……………etc. I drive to work. I also read a lot and find that I am struggling to read small print now. What do you suggest for me, with all my various activites? I also have a very high prescription - too high for you to cater for at present so that is your next project!
Regards
Stephanie
August 4th, 2007 at 7:33 am
Hi Mark, There must be many who are beginning to feel as if they know you and your family (i.e. company). Its good to see some people have moral ethics.
My first comment was WOW. Someone cares. And this is more so for people who are just above the pension limit for Credits.
I suffer from Photopsia and have found Lutein and Qui Ju Di Hauang Wan a Chinese medication of enormous help. Yes. I did have a Chinese Doctor (qualified in Edinburgh University of Medicines help. I would never knowingly take liberties with my eyesight, its too precious).
A specialist in Spain and I understand some here in Britain both suggested Lutein after research.
A suggestion for people who find the feint print on screen a problem to read comfortably. Highlight the work before reading.
Another suggestion Mark. I noticed you answer questions at the end of your letter. How about putting Q1, etc. beside the question, then at the end A1, and work consecutively.
Keep up the good work. We need people like you.
Congratulations. Meri.
August 4th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Sounds a great idea, I’d definately be interested as I currently wear bifocals as I didn’t want to pay High Street prices for varifocal lenses.
Trevor
August 5th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Thank you Mark for a very efficient first purchase. The tint is a bit dark for the UK, but sure it will “wear in”!! Moving to work in south of France end of the month, so ideal actually!
Varifocals will be on my next but one order, in the meantime wish to order another standard pair from you, same as last order, but plain, NOT tinted, for indoor use.
Cheers, Andrew
August 5th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
As one of your satisfied customers, I would be very interested in varifocals at a great price. My specs are only for reading so as a teacher, my glasses are on and off many times a day. Clearly, this stretches them and does not do them a great deal of good! Roll on the time you do sell varifocals - I’m already waiting with my new prescription!
August 6th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Hi Mark,
Thanks for keeping us informed, yes I would be very interested in the varifocals at a great price.
August 7th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
I’m surprised you say “rimless varifocals will be quite expensive as they need to be made from a poly carbonate material”.
In the last couple of years, I have consulted more than a dozen opticians (dispensing and opthalmic) while selecting suitable varifocal lenses for my rimless frames. All said polycarbonate was only needed for children and sports use, and most that the optical quality is inferior.
Many (including web retailers) fit high-index as standard for rimless as they give similar strength and shatter resistance to polycarbonate.
So I hope you will reconsider.
My 1.6 index lenses are in their second year of full-time unbroken use - in both senses!
August 8th, 2007 at 8:46 am
Thank you roger.
Let me re phrase my last comment a little for you.
What I was trying to explain is that rimless glasses cannot be glazed with a standard lens and hense a more expensive lens will be required (At least a polycarbonate).
We will be offering only the highest quality lenses as always starting with the widley used Airwear which is a High index polycarbonate lens. http://www.airwear.com/difference.html
1.6, and 1.67 lenses will also be available.
Hope this helps
Many Thanks
Mark Bowden
August 8th, 2007 at 11:04 am
Thank you, my query has been answered by other comments.
Looking forward to when you can supply.
August 12th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Hi Mark,
Five years ago I paid £250.00 for a pair of verifocals, of which I have had a few new arms and a nose rest? I was quoted one price and ended paying more than double for them. I am so pleased to hear of your work and that someone cares enough, to explain what we are paying for.
My precription has only slightly changed in five years.
Patricia.
August 16th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
this is great news let me know when you gho live i have my prescrition ready
alan
August 17th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Have only just come across these online sites for glasses, can you help as I’m not sure what I need - had eye test today and am fine for distance but not for close up. Have been wearing cheap reading glasses but when I’m at work I use the computer while serving members of the public, when looking at and talking to my customers I don’t need my glasses but when I go to use the computer to print their tickets (I’m in ticket office at rail station) I need to put glasses on. I am spending ALL day taking my glasses on and off and it’s driving me crazy doing this. The High Street optician where I had my eye test tried to sell me £300 + varifocals and said these would be best - are varifocals the best option for me? I really don’t know so PLEASE any advice? Many thanks
August 18th, 2007 at 11:51 am
Thank You Carole
Yes it sounds like Varifocals would be the best option.
However, Bifocals or Half eye glasses (shalow frames) so that you can look over them for distance use are other options.
Varifocals will be available from our site in the next week (maybe two) and will start from arounf £75 complete frame , lenses, case etc.. So there’s no need to be paying £300 for them.
Hope this helps
Mark Bowden
August 19th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
I wonder why the pupil to bottom of frame distance is so important to be “millimetre perfect”. Surely by tipping the head slightly upwards or downwards that distance will in effect be altered.
Also doesn’t the distance part of the lens extend up to the top of the frame and only start to increase in “plus” moving downwards. Then I should think the variation should cease when the required reading prescription area is reached and remain the same all the way down to the bottom of the lens. I had a pair of varifocals where only the very bottom and medial portion was correct. Not good.
We are attending our optician next week and hope to send to you for a new varifocal pair for me and a bi-focal pair for my wife who is worried about the “going downstairs” effect of varifocals. Or could you make her a pair and if she finds them unsatisfactory, exchange for bi-focals?
August 20th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
I’m really pleased that Specs4less are providing a varifocal product and service. I’ve always found (as have my family and friends) specs4less to be a top quality value for money online supplier.
August 20th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Hi Mark,
Just got in from an opticians appointment who recommended varifocals but at a prohibitive price. I work on computers all day every day so your comments above about varifocals not being suitable for long periods of computer use have been really useful. I think I will stick to wearing two pairs of glasses!
Elizabeth
August 20th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
I would be extremely interested to se if the “on-line” varifocals work as I am due a two year eye test next month and should replacement lenses and glasses be required the cost without any discounting can be prohibitive.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:23 pm
I just purchased expensive varifocals from a High Street chain and cannot see clearly straight ahead at any distance unless I tilt my head downwards. Does this mean that they were not properly fitted.
August 22nd, 2007 at 7:58 am
I too am very interested in buying varifocals online. I have prisms in my prescription (in both the distance and near prescriptions). Can you supply varifocals with the prism?
August 22nd, 2007 at 7:58 am
Thank you Michael
yes it sounds like some minor alterations need making to them.
Try widening the nose pads so that the glasses sit a little lower.
f that doesnt work simply take them back and explain the problem, they should be able to sort it out for you.
Many Thanks
Mark Bowden
August 22nd, 2007 at 10:10 am
Thank you David
Yes as we have an acurate way of measuring the hieghts and PD we will be able to provide prisms in varifocal lenses.
By the way we are now uploading our varifocal range so once we have tested the pages they should be ready to go.
Mark Bowden
August 22nd, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Just found your site and will soon be visiting to have a look at your range with varifocals.
Hope you do not mind suggestions, you mentioned that you would send a frame through the post and then sender return with photo of glasses worn for exact spot of pupil.
Maybe there is a software that people could use to upload their photo, place their chosen glasses onto their image. If they like their glasses save it to your site and then you could measure their pupil. Saving time and postage. And people would know in an instant if their glasses suited or not. Clever idea but would it work.
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:16 am
Thank you Chris
We looked in to this about 2 years ago.
As metioned aboved the problem is that no software will show you exactyley how the frames will sitt on your face in real life.
The only way I could ever see the upload photo sytem working is when web cams or digi cams having some kind of 3d laser mapping decive in them. Maybe in the next 10 years.
For now the only Acurate way is the sytem we have just lauched.
Thanks for your suggestion.
Mark Bowden
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:44 pm
I would be very interested in th varifocals on your website
August 24th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
I just got my prescription today & would be interested in varifocals - when will your service be ready?
August 25th, 2007 at 8:38 am
Thank you JohnD
This service is now ready. (see the post about Varifocal Glasses)
Many Thanks
Mark Bowden
August 28th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Am interested in very light & thin varifocals - my current ones are “silhouette” flexible rimless - can you provide something similar or better in varifocals?
September 1st, 2007 at 12:29 pm
I wear a varifocal lens for one eye only (the other lens is blank, not balanced). How do I price this, including extras such as a thin varifocal, when seeking a quotation on your site?