Are varifocal glasses easy to get used to?

My optician has recommended them along with single-vision ones for desk work and I’m wondering whether I would need both

BILL BROWN for MONEY 160903 IMHO varifocals
Illustration: Bill Brown

Every week a Guardian Money reader submits a question, and it’s up to you to help him or her out – a selection of the best answers will appear in next Saturday’s paper.

This week’s question:

My optician has recommended varifocals at £500 and single-vision glasses for desk work at £250. My neighbour handed back her varifocals because she couldn’t get on with them. Do I need both pairs or is my optician spinning me a line? How easy is it to adapt to varifocals?

Do you have a problem readers could solve? Email your suggestions to money@theguardian.com or write to us at Money, The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU.