Varifocals and the Art of Bicycle Maintenance

[SuperGalactian]

Surely someone must have the answer to this?

I have used varifocal specs for about 20 years now. Because I have always done a fair amount of small-scale stuff, I have the glasses made so that I can focus to about 6 or 7 inches at the bottom edge of the lens. This works very nicely, except that when I have to bend over the work, the glasses fall upward with respect to my face, over my eyebrows or forehead, leaving me unable to see the item of interest. This is especially maddening when I have both hands full of bits of bicycle that I am trying to fit together - or in other contexts, when my head is under a sink trying to connect two bits of pipe, or trying to solder two things together. You get the picture.

Other than sticking plaster, does anyone have a clever solution that makes the flippin' specs stay on your nose?

 

[teeonethousand]

Buy a cheap pair of reading glasses and wear those when just doing close work?

 

[Drago]

Buy a cheap pair of reading glasses and wear those when just doing close work?

Exactly what I do. Vari's fkr normal use, but cheap £3.99 jobs from the chemist shop for shizzle like that.

 

[SuperGalactian]

Buy a cheap pair of reading glasses and wear those when just doing close work?

Those are still going to flip up off my nose, surely? Seems quite a cop-out too: the varifocals are in all other respects a complete solution.

 

[Webbo2]

Have you tried using a Croakie?

 

[oxoman]

I've worn glasses since my teens and varifocals for the last 10yrs or so and tbh ive never had an issue with glasses off my nose / face. As long as the arms are adjusted correctly they shouldn't be a problem. I occasionally have to do very close up intricate work that means removing glasses but not an issue. If you bear in mind I work in and around machines etc, ive never had them fall off.

 

[Bristolian]

I'm also a varifocal wearer and find that bending and looking down results in the wrong part of the lens being used. I've tried several supposed solutions but none have worked and I've come to the conclusion that varifocal contact lenses or eye surgery are the only solutions.

 

[Over the Ord]

My optical technician (wife that was her job) said they would 1st check the screws (hinges) then adjust the legs for length and fit around ears.

 

[Mike Ayling]

My optical technician (wife that was her job) said they would 1st check the screws (hinges) then adjust the legs for length and fit around ears.

Exactly what I was going to suggest. Go back to your friendly optometrist and have the fit adjusted

 

[SuperGalactian]

Have you tried using a Croakie

I had to look up what a Croakie is. Yes, I tried 2 or 3 different brands of specs retainers a few years back. They only helped if tightened up so hard behind the head that the glasses were pressed into my eye sockets. Tbh I found them more trouble than help.

My optical technician (wife that was her job) said they would 1st check the screws (hinges) then adjust the legs for length and fit around ears.

Exactly what I was going to suggest. Go back to your friendly optometrist and have the fit adjusted

OK, I will take that advice. These are wire frames, so it’s quite possible they have gone out of whack.

Thanks to all for your replies.

 

[Drago]

Check the wrms when buying specs.

I've a big head (who'd have think it!) and most frames slip off my ears when looking down. This is because adult sizes tend to have 140 or 145mm arms. Once a wise octahedron pointed this out to me I started ordering frames with 150mm arms and the problem was solved.

 

[slowereveryyear]

I've worn varifocals for years and whilst they are very useful when I'm bending down they have always slipped. I've tried various makes of frame and made repeated visits to have the frames adjusted. Nothing is a complete answer and when bending over the bike to make an adjustment I have to use one hand to hold my specs in place.
If I plan to do anything major I attach an elastic band to the arms of the specs. I don't know the brand, bought them from Amazon, but they work for me.

 

[Dadam]

For extreme close work 5-7” I just take the specs off. That’s the sort of distance my eyes work spot on. Unfortunately further than that things get blurry very quickly. Varifocals are fine for normal use where close things are usually lower in your vision. I don’t seem to have much issue with them falling upwards when bending over though, I pay through the nose for the highest spec lightest lenses, and the frames are a good fit. I also like the half frames, which reduces the overall weight a bit more.
But yes trying to work on raised things in confined spaces is a PITA.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I have at times done work involving a lot of movement (computer and networks and stuff)

I find that if the glasses fit properly they don;t move

your brain does need to get used to where the right spot is - my optician reckons he can spot a varifocal wearer as they move their heads more!

but if they are properly fitting and still move too much them try a strap round the back of you head to hold them in place properly
I used to sail a lot and some other sailors had straps on their glasses so they could see better

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Check the wrms when buying specs.

I've a big head (who'd have think it!) and most frames slip off my ears when looking down. This is because adult sizes tend to have 140 or 145mm arms. Once a wise octahedron pointed this out to me I started ordering frames with 150mm arms and the problem was solved.

Is this you?