Note: This is an update of a review I prepared three years ago. I recently purchased the Varilux X Fit and now include it in the comparison
As a progressive lens wearer for about 15 years I perform my due diligence every couple of years when it comes time to change my glasses after an eye exam. Sometimes the prescription change is small but I still can’t resist buying the new technology.Which typically is a high end lens. I hardly am a lens expert but I’ve done enough research and worn enough lenses to offer a semi learned opinion. Of course everyone is different and there is no ‘best’ lens. But I can at least offer my opinion on how they work for me.
My prescription involves a cylinder spec of -4.50 with an add of +2.50 (near sighted) . I need an all purpose lens and the greatest challenge is intermediate viewing for use with a computer. Which I spend plenty of time in front of.
My optometrist is a Varilux dispenser exclusively and being a previous owner of a pair of Physio Enhanced I wanted to try something else this time. It had been a good all purpose lens but there had been a slight change of prescription that lead me the newest best thing. Whatever that was to be.
I had good luck in the past with Zeiss lenses so I first tried an Individual 2 at another optometrist’s office. I did use Zeiss’s iTerminal in an attempt to get the perfect fit. I ordered a pair of 1.67 high index transition lenses with Purecoat for scratch resistance and anti-reflection. The lens depth was approximately 3.5 cm and 5.5 cm across.
As usual with the Zeiss, distance viewing was outstanding with a full lateral view of distance and visual acuity was similarly outstanding. I was also very satisfied with the reading area. It was full, clear with ample space to read text through the bottom of the lens.
Now the problem. Intermediate viewing. There wasn’t any to speak of. The lenses were double checked and height adjusted through manipulation of the nose pad. Still I had trouble finding an intermediate corridor at all. This simply wasn’t going to work and after a week, I gave up. I showed up at the dispenser and we agreed I was a non adapt and it was time to try something else. Intermediate range is very important for computer use and I needed something workable.
Rather than go back to my old Varilux I tried the S-Fit. Using the same frame and same lens specs. But instead of Purecoat I bought Avance. A great coating that keeps clean for at least a good year before more frequent cleaning is required.
At first I was not a happy camper with headaches the first couple of days and I couldn’t figure out why. Until I discovered that my lateral peripheral viewing was exceptional through these lenses. I tried to remember what single vision or uncorrected vision looked like but it had been so many years it was too difficult to imagine. But there it was. My eyes had to adjust to seeing laterally again with excellent acuity. While the Zeiss proved to be excellent peripherally in the distance, the Varilux was just as excellent for viewing things of a shorter distance but with great peripheral vision. And I had intermediate vision once again. Almost but not quite as good as the Physio Enhanced but very usable. The reading area was not quite as generous as the Zeiss but again, it is adequate. And most important I had all three visual segments working for me.
The wow factor is definitely peripheral vision with no swimming. Perhaps some geometric distortion at the edges but no other progressive I tried comes close in regards to clarity of vision.
Forexample, as an experiment, I recently looked straight ahead at a fixed object.Alight pole. Then turned myhead while keeping focus on the pole. Itremainedin focus. With other lenses the view turns blurry and unusable. The trade off is geometric distortion as the pole will bend to and fro as you are turning your head, clear but obviously distorted. Weird effect! Fortunately we typically don’t look at things that way (fixing our view to the periphery of the lens) and is a non-issue for all practical purposes.
Regarding anti reflection I believe the Avance betters the Purecoat but I could live happily with either.
I recommend the S-Fit. If you’re like me you’ll be turning your head less to keep things in focus. Justbe cognizant that headaches may occur the first few days as your eyes adjust to wider peripheral vision. It is not a recycled rebranded old lens. There is something quite different about them and the new technology used can be read with your typical Google search.
The X-Fit is the newest of Varilux’s line and shares a strong similarity with the S-Fit. If you are wearing the S-FIT now there should be no adjustment period.
There are two big changes here. The reading area is much larger than the S-Fit. And it seems to do so with minimal compromise. Secondly the mid range view is increased vertically along the lens. The distance view is excellent and now rivals the Zeiss. So how does it do all this? The only compromise I can find is the near vision while looking down is a bit distorted. While looking down and slicing bread the first time the sensation was odd. It’s like the view is further away than it should and near the center the effect is at its highest. Very hard to explain. But I would say the effect is not a deal breaker or significant to cause concern. To be clear, overall this is the best progressive I have owned. I owned the S-Fit for three years ago obviously that is saying something. There is definitely a family resemblance in the design of the two Varilux lenses. I do believe the last iteration is a better lens in my opinion though both are very good.
The X-Fit retains the same bending of vertical lines at the periphery of vision that the S-Fit has. Which I believe is a better trade off than blurry unfocused vision.
I know I have been effusive in my praise of the Varilux lenses but rest assured I am not an employee nor is this view a paid service.
See my review of the Escort 360 Max radar detector:
