Variable focus eyewear is the kind of phrase to strike fear into the heart of an optician but Eyejusters is hoping to change all that.
The firm’s eponymous eyewear is billed as a quality alternative to ready readers so Optician decided to try it out. Eyejusters said its research showed people have many pairs of, sometimes variable quality, variable power, readers. Where Eyejusters hopes to differ is by offering quality readers that can be dialled in, from plano to +3.0D, to meet any reading need.
Off the shelf readers are freely available in outlets from garages to galleries, but Eyejusters, at around £70, may be more suitable as an optical product. There is no question that the variable focus mechanism does work. It is based on the Alvarez lens principle and the required power is dialled in using two small wheels next to the hinges. Adjustment is simple but the wheels are prone to move during cleaning or handling.
Eyejusters use a combination of three lenses in each eye which makes the unit quite dense and the lens transmission slightly misty. The stainless steel model on test was sturdy and had a well-made feel. It’s housed in an solid case with an attractive cloth. It weighed in at 33g but was well balanced and didn’t feel heavy or uncomfortable.
Much of Eyejusters’ appeal lies in its versatility. Anyone who needs a positive power up to 3 dioptres can dial it in making it a real crowd pleaser. Its versatility also lends itself to multi-tasking. Reading in good light may take one power tinkering, with a car in a dimly lit garage another. As a multi-user reader it also works well.
Ready reader users often complain of not having their readers on them so it’s unclear if Eyejusters would solve that issue. The price doesn’t lend Eyejusters to the misuse other readers may suffer but its versatility and build may attract the frustrated presbyope.