How much do varifocals cost? The price depends mostly on the lenses and far less on the frame. Here is what you pay for and where saving makes sense. At Edel-Optics, varifocal lenses start from £109.00 a pair (as of 28 October 2026), with the frame on top.
Key points at a glance
- The price is made up of the frame, the lenses and any extras. The lenses make the biggest difference: the wider the sharp field of vision, the higher the price.
- At Edel-Optics, varifocal lenses cost from £109.00 (Classic), from £229.00 (Comfort) and from £299.00 (Premium) a pair, as of 28 October 2026.
- Thinner lenses for strong prescriptions, tints and photochromic lenses cost more.
- With a current prescription and a properly measured pupillary distance, you can order online without detours.
How much do varifocals cost? What makes up the price
Varifocal lenses correct distance, intermediate and near vision in a single lens. They suit anyone with presbyopia who doesn’t want to keep switching between glasses. The cost of varifocals comes down to four things:
- The frame. You can choose freely, from an affordable everyday style to a designer pair. The lens must be tall enough, though, or the reading zone gets too small.
- The lenses. A varifocal lens changes gradually from the distance zone at the top, through the intermediate zone, to the reading zone at the bottom, with blurred areas at the sides. How wide the sharp zones are depends on the lens design, and that drives the price.
- The extras. Tints and photochromic (self-tinting) lenses cost extra. With a strong prescription, a thinner high-index lens keeps the glasses from getting thick and heavy.
- The fitting. The lenses must sit exactly in front of your pupils. That takes accurate measurements, above all your pupillary distance (PD).
So what do glasses with varifocal lenses cost in total? Add the lens price from the table to the price of your frame.
The cost of varifocal lenses: three lens designs at Edel-Optics
At Edel-Optics you choose between three lens designs that differ in the size of the sharp field of vision:
| Lens design | Field of vision | Who is it for? | Lenses (pair) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic (“Normal field of vision”) | normal | Newcomers and occasional wearers; more head movement | from £109.00 |
| Comfort (“Extended field of vision”) | about 20% larger | Everyday wear with less head movement | from £229.00 |
| Premium (“Enlarged field of vision”) | about 35% larger | Lots of reading and screen work; the most comfortable option | from £299.00 |
Prices from the Edel-Optics lens configurator on 28 October 2026, per pair of plastic lenses (refractive index 1.5), including super anti-reflective coating, hard coating and 100% UV filter. The frame is extra. Thinner lenses cost more: Classic with a refractive index of 1.67 costs £239.00, for example. The final price depends on your prescription and choices. Percentages as explained in the shop, relative to the normal field of vision.
Rule of thumb: If you are new to varifocals, read a lot or work long hours at a screen, a wider field of vision helps most. For mainly occasional wear, Classic or Comfort will often do.
Why varifocals cost more than ordinary lenses
For comparison, single vision lenses start from £29.90 at Edel-Optics (as of 28 October 2026). Varifocals cost more because they are far more complex to calculate and make. At a high-street optician, glasses with individually calculated varifocal lenses can easily cost £900 or more. Beyond that, the price depends on:
- Your prescription: With a strong prescription, a thinner lens can be worth it. It costs more.
- Tints and photochromic lenses: They can replace a second pair, but cost extra. Super anti-reflective coating, hard coating and a UV filter are already included in the prices above.
- Where you buy: At a high-street optician you also pay for advice, measuring and fitting in person. Online you don’t, but you need your current prescription.
High-street optician or online: what you need
Online you often pay less than in store, as long as you have these details to hand:
- your prescription values for distance and near vision: sphere, cylinder, axis and addition (ADD). How to read them is covered in Buying Glasses Online: How It Works
- your pupillary distance (PD)
- values that are no more than about two years old, because presbyopia changes over time
No current prescription? Have your eyes tested at an optician and ask whether your PD can be included. If your vision suddenly gets worse or you have symptoms, see an eye doctor.
How to save money without compromising on how well you see
- Save on the frame, not the lenses. A wider field of vision makes more difference day to day than a brand logo.
- Pick only the extras you need. A tint only makes sense if you also want to use the glasses as sunglasses.
- Try the frame first. For many frames you can try the glasses on virtually online before the lenses are made.
- Only need help with close-up work? Reading glasses are cheaper, see Do I Need Reading Glasses?
How to order your varifocals at Edel-Optics
- Choose a frame, select on the product page that you want it with a prescription, then choose varifocal lenses.
- Enter the values from your prescription, plus the pupillary distance for each eye.
- Pick the lens design and add a tint or self-tinting lenses if you like.
- Your glasses are made for you and usually arrive within 10 to 14 working days if the frame is in stock.
You will find all frames in the Varifocal Glasses category.
Miu Miu MU 01XV VAU1O1£134.89Miu Miu MU 09XV VAU1O1£134.89Miu Miu MU 01XV 19P1O1£134.57Miu Miu MU 04UV 1AB1O1£134.89Ray-Ban RX3928V 2500£87.14Ray-Ban RX3928V 2501£87.14Miu Miu MU 09XV 16K1O1£135.73Ray-Ban ALAIN (RX7239 2001)£60.44Frequently asked questions about the cost of varifocals
Why do varifocal lenses cost more than ordinary lenses?
Varifocal lenses combine several strengths in one lens. Calculating and making them is more complex than for single vision lenses, and the wider the sharp zones, the more work it is.
Is a more expensive lens design worth it?
If you read a lot, work at a screen or are new to varifocals, often yes: less head movement and usually an easier start.
How long does it take to get used to varifocals?
That varies: often a few days up to about two weeks, and longer for some. Wear them as much as you can at first. If it still feels difficult after a few days, contact our customer service or your optician.
Will my insurance pay towards varifocals?
That depends on your insurance or health plan and your policy. You can submit the invoice to your provider. It is worth asking in advance what they need.
