Any optometrists?

[Justin Passing]

I have new varifocal specs and I find an error in the Inter Pupil Distance.
It should reduce with focused distance, but it's wrong somehow.
If I look at a line of text on my screen 1m away without moving my head/specs, I have to look through different parts of the lens for each eye to see any letters on the line sharp, and they're about 10cm apart laterally.

In this case it's "moving" with my right eye and "different " with my left. IPD on specs too close??

I can do the triangles, but does anyone here have experience of this?

 

[securespark]

Do you live in Hants?

 

[Justin Passing]

No, I live in Pants.
Why do you ask?

I shouldn't have gone to Specsavers, though.

 

[mattylad]

Take your new specs into another opticians (asda/tesco have them too) and ask them to check the PD on them matches your prescription.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't some armchair optometry experts on here. There are such experts on every other bloody subject you care to name!

 

[Brigadier]

I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't some armchair optometry experts on here. There are such experts on every other bloody subject you care to name!

With enough users, it would be sensible to expect experts in many fields.

It's the users who claim to be experts in many fields though..............

 

[Justin Passing]

I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't some armchair optometry experts on here. There are such experts on every other bloody subject you care to name!

That's what I thought. It's not super maga complicated.

Does anyone remember their IPD being measured? I hear tell of a bit of kit, but these loons did it with a ruler. Special one, it's true. The whole bloody shop had a go and then averaged the result.
One pair came out absolutely useless. Never had that before.

The way I think it must be, for a varifocal for a an old git who can't focus close any more, there's a gradient of strength.
As the object comes closer, your eye looks though a different bit of the lens. There would be a line of use - here yellow arrow showing Closer,, which may be curved:

Obvs, the relationship between the yellow line and the slope of the strength has to be be optimal.
Otherwise, your eye-narrowing doesn't match the strength you need at that distance.
They measured the IPD by hand, just once, at about a foot away (not measured).
Hardly surprising the line isn't right. You tend to get a more accurate line if you draw it through TWO points at least!

I ordered 3 pairs in total
I presume that if none of them is right, I get my money back. About £400 iirc.

I'm currently wearing a pound shop offering. 3 different pairs for £4 the lot. For the screen, not bad at all.

 

[mattylad]

I get my PD measured with a binocular looking device and insist it's put on the prescription when I get my copy.

Mind you, er indoor spent 14 years working in an opticians so I have a good resource to consult.

I have tried the expensive glassees, if my eyes have changed and I need new glasses thats no different if I wear cheaper glasses.
Asda were always cheaper for me, then there are places like goggles4u etc. (lenses made in Pakistan) being even cheaper.
I wear Home Bargains £1.49 reading glasses most of the day to read schematics while I work, I'd rather bust a pair of those at work than an expensive pair.

 

[Justin Passing]

A Binocular looking device is what I was expecting. I use binos and similar, but would have to hunt for some now. I expect they would provide you with a measurement when looking at infinity. I think it should be possible to calculate where that line would be. Obviously the specs making machine should do it.

I asked on't phone if the problem I have would have to be caused by incorrect IP distance. Not necessarily, came the reply.

They always get you to pay more for glasses with a wider field of usable correct focus. Seems like a Ryanair type ripoff. It's an hourglass sort of shape. Usually it's about £30 for the widest usable field.

Can your partner throw any light on this?

I don't wish to throw any shade on your partner, but some of the staff aren't trained to know much.
I asked about the numbers on the scrip once, and was told it was "really complicated".


Finking about it, as you age and you need a stronger prescription, you can adjust the glasses using the pads, to lift them and use the stronger part.
That would throw the IPD off, though.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

That's what I thought. It's not super maga complicated.

No, don't say that. You'll set Notchy and the others off again.

 

[mattylad]

Many opticians also have a machine that they can put the glasses in and determine the strength and IPD on them, perhaps worth a try at your nearest or even take them back to where you bought them and tell them your problem, a reputavble optomitrist should sort the issue out for you.

 

[Rodders53]

Few (if any) scripts have the PDs on them. Measuring with a ruler is the standard old-fashioned way. Relying on the machines is the modern. Both should give the same answer.

Specsavers are franchises... Variable feast between Excellent and Pants...
Not all staff in any branch are as highly trained as others...
Go back and complain... they'll either be fine and correct the problem FOC or try to fob you off... Escalate in store or to the franchise directors, after which a Head Office (Jersey) complaint is in order.

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/glasses/buyers-guide/how-to-measure-your-pupillary-distance# and reading/intermediate PD changes are based on a 'rule of thumb' rather than a specific optometrist's measurement(s). (Typically -3mm off the total of 1.5mm off each side if each eye is different for reading.)

Dispensing mistakes happen. It's how the store deals with it that matters.

1 metre from a screen (VDU) is a long way away (in my view)... with my script that's virtually in the distance band of my (Asda) varifocals. https://www.esportstales.com/tech-tips/ideal-distance-to-sit-away-from-your-monitor is one take on that distance issue.

Do you suffer from lazy eye or double vision at all?

 

[Old Salt]

I wear varifocals and have one eye that is short sighted a d one that is long. The dispensary decided that wasnt right so made both lenses the same. Fortunately the optician spotted it when they came in and sent them back.

I now buy from goggles4u and my last pair cost £46, photochrome, varifocal and all the various coatings. UK opticians are a rip off. And yes I know they have to pay rates and stuff but Specsavers with their 2 pairs for £99 is just a con. By the time they had added the coatings, varifocal, photochrome etc they were over £300. No thanks.

 

[Justin Passing]

Of 3 pairs, one I couldn't see anything through.
The other two seemed to have the IPD wrong or the cylinder axis (angle) wrong.
They remade the lenses on the hopeless one, and it was about the best, but still not right.

So that's 4/4. Time up, $495 money back. Then they said try the independent down the road, they may use better lenses

The independent is fully booked for months!!

 

[gas112]

What about getting new lenses for your actual eyes costs around 6 grand might only need basic reading glasses afterwards