Varifocal lenses. Multifocals. Progressive lenses. They are known by many names. Because they do so many things.
The varifocal lens is a marvellous work of optical technology that allows for up to three prescriptions in a single lens. This means they can correct your near, intermediate, and distance vision, all without the need to change your specs.
Our varifocals are manufactured by our lens partners, ZEISS. If you get as excited about optical technology as we do – and we think you should – then you will know this is rather thrilling.
This is a complex area of optics, and can be tricky to get your head around. This guide will give you a better understanding of the technical brilliance of varifocals.
The varifocal lens is a marvellous work of optical technology that allows for up to three prescriptions in a single lens. This means they can correct your near, intermediate, and distance vision, all without the need to change your specs.
Our varifocals are manufactured by our lens partners, ZEISS. If you get as excited about optical technology as we do – and we think you should – then you will know this is rather thrilling.
This is a complex area of optics, and can be tricky to get your head around. This guide will give you a better understanding of the technical brilliance of varifocals.
The lens in our eye is flexible and adjusts its focus when we look at objects at different distances. As we age, the lens stiffens and our ability to change focus is reduced. It becomes harder to focus on near objects, making reading difficult.
This is called Presbyopia. Fortunately, we can correct it in a number of ways.
Varifocals require a bit of training. Your eyes need to adapt to different planes of corrected vision. You will see through the different prescriptions contained in your varifocals according to the movement of your eyes.
When you first receive your magnificent spectacles, wear them as often as possible without swapping. This will help you adjust much faster.
Move your head to point in the direction of what you are looking at. This will mean you are looking through the correct part of the lens, ensuring clarity of vision.
For reading or close work, move your eyes to look through the bottom of the lens.
It’s important to be patient with varifocals. Some people are able to adapt in a few days, for others it may take up to a month. The important thing is to wear them as much as possible to overcome this adaptation period.
The bottom of the lens can make objects appear magnified. It is important to take care using stairs or walking on uneven surfaces during this adaptation period.
Cubitts does not offer varifocals to be purchased online. Varifocals require precise measurements which influence where the lens will sit in relation to your eyes.
Due to the complexity of varifocal lenses, we advise anyone interested in varifocals to visit one of our stores so our teams can respond directly to your personal needs.
We currently offer three types of varifocal lenses: Everyday, Advanced and Bespoke. Every varifocal wearer is different, and the correct choice of lens will be dependent on how you use your spectacles.
Our varifocals are manufactured by our lens partners, ZEISS. If you get as excited about optical technology as we do – and we think you should – then you will know this is rather thrilling.
Our Everyday lens is the ZEISS Precision Plus, providing excellent clarity of vision for those looking to use their varifocals for general all day use with occasional reading or close work.
Our Advanced lens is the ZEISS SmartLife Superb. This is our most popular choice, and provides excellent clarity of vision at distance and near levels for sustained use across different distances. Using the latest technology, this lens is adapted to your unique face shape, to ensure superior clarity of vision. With an optimised corridor of vision, this lens will be suitable for longer periods of reading, without eye strain.
Our Bespoke lens is the ZEISS SmartLife Individual, a truly remarkable lens offering superb clarity of vision that is tailored to you. Specially designed to meet the vision needs of people with presbyopia with a connected and on-the-move lifestyle. Zeiss SmartLife Individual lenses address each individual’s unique pattern of vision; encompassing optics, visual habits, and lifestyle to provide the ultimate in personalised vision.
How do varifocals work?
The top of the lens is for viewing objects far away at distance
The middle of the lens allows you to view objects in your intermediate vision such as desktop computers
The bottom of the lens is utilised for near vision such as reading and detailed work
Here’s a beautiful fact. Your eyes have ten layers. You see through so much.
Our stores
