Varifocals

I'm currently trying out my first pair of varifocal spectacles and hitting a few problems. I'm getting longsighted and now find it difficult to play games. I can't focus easily both the other players and my own cards. If I wear reading glasses, I can see the cards but get a headache looking at my friends. If I wear no glasses at all, I can see my friends but get a headache looking at the cards.

If I wear the varifocals, I can see cards and players, but the field of focus is fairly small. Wheras I'd normally be able to see all the players round the table, now, I find I can see the one opposite, but all the others are slightly out of focus. Similarly, if I look down, there's a relatively small area that's perfectly in focus.

Is it normal to lose a lot of peripheral vision with varifocals? (Richard says he doesn't lose anything, but his glasses are correcting for short sight, not long sight, so I don't know if it's a fair comparison)

I'm also finding that playing around with different glasses which all need me to hold my head in different positions is aggravating my neck trouble, though I'm hoping that may pass as I get used to things.

(I assume there's no solution to the problem of going down stairs when wearing varifocals - I understand why the stairs are out of focus, even if it is disconcerting.)

Deep Space Nine videos

I was given a complete set of DS9 videos by a friend for the cost of posting them and I'm gradually watching my way through them. However, I need the storage space. If anyone else wants each season as I finish with it for the cost of postage, then wave a hand. I've two seasons completed so far.

It's a good show and my favourite of the Trek clones. It's got a consistent background and the Bajoran and Cardassian politics often add a layer of interest. It's also a bit darker than most of the rest of Star Trek.