CLARAVIDA Review: Are These Multifocus Reading Glasses Worth the Trouble?
CLARAVIDA Sport Outdoor Multifocus Reading Glasses: Worth the Drama? My Honest Review
Let's be honest—I've reached that stage in life. I need reading glasses for fine print, but I also require distance glasses for safe driving. As someone who loves being outdoors—hiking, playing sports, running—I constantly deal with glare and sweat.
Frankly, I was tired of the "glasses shuffle." You know how it goes:
- Need to read a trail map? Swap glasses.
- Need to check a sign 50 feet away? Swap glasses again.
- Lose a pair in the dirt? Time to buy another.
It was incredibly frustrating. I wanted a single pair of sporty, progressive multifocus glasses that could handle sun, sweat, and different distances—without looking ridiculous.
The Great Search for a Solution
I began searching for an answer. What I needed were progressive lenses, where the prescription gradually shifts from distance vision at the top to reading strength at the bottom. Cheap drugstore readers wouldn't cut it; I needed something durable that would stay put during fast movement.
Buying glasses online felt risky. What if they didn't fit or the lenses were poor quality? I spent weeks scouring review forums and outdoor gear sites, focusing on sturdy-looking frames and lenses that promised real clarity outside.
Action Step: If you need multiple prescriptions in one pair, always look for progressive lenses. This is the key to ending the glasses shuffle.
The Discovery: CLARAVIDA Progressive Sport Model
Eventually, I came across the CLARAVIDA Limited Sport Outdoor Progressive Reading Glasses. They promised everything: rugged construction, blue light protection, and multifocus capability, all in a sleek, sporty frame. It sounded like a dream come true.
I was particularly impressed by the build quality. The CLARAVIDA lens technology is housed in durable Mozaer Frames, which looked ready for anything. I ordered the +1.50 strength and crossed my fingers.
My Detailed Experience (The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly)
When the glasses arrived, I was excited. They looked great, fit snugly, and the transition from distance to reading felt smooth right away. Wearing them outside, the anti-glare coating worked beautifully. I thought, "Perfect! Problem solved."
The Hidden Problem: The PD Nightmare
But after a few days, something felt off. I started getting headaches and occasional dizziness when looking into the distance. A check-up with my eye doctor confirmed my prescription was fine—the issue was my Pupillary Distance (PD).
What is PD? It's the distance between the centers of your pupils. For progressive lenses to work correctly, this measurement must be precise. If it's even slightly off, your brain struggles to blend the different focus zones. The online retailer had used a standard assumed PD (typically 62mm), which for many people—including me—is completely wrong.
This is a major pitfall of buying multifocus glasses online. If the seller doesn't ask for your PD, they're guessing—and a wrong guess renders your new glasses practically useless.
Verdict: You absolutely must know your PD before ordering. Never let a retailer guess.
Dealing with Customer Service (Be Ready to Fight)
With the lenses being incorrect, I had to try to fix the order. This is where the real frustration set in. Calling customer support was pointless—it's impossible to reach an actual person on the phone.
I had to rely on email, which was painfully slow. Each reply took about two days, and it felt like I was explaining my situation to a different representative every time. The whole process dragged on endlessly.
Fortunately, after I posted a negative initial review, the company reached out to offer corrected lenses. I accepted, but fixing the order took even more time.
Note This Important Process:
- You must return the original, incorrect pair first.
- They confirm receipt of the return.
- Only then do they begin making your replacement.
This meant I was without glasses for several weeks while waiting for the new pair to be made and shipped. If you need an exchange, be prepared for a long wait.
Verdict: Customer service is slow and frustrating. Only buy these if you're patient and comfortable communicating solely by email.
The Final Product: A Game Changer
When the corrected pair finally arrived—made with my actual PD this time—the difference was night and day. These CLARAVIDA glasses are fantastic.
The field of view is wide, and the progressive transition is seamless. I can read my phone or watch clearly, then immediately look up to see far down the trail without any blur. They're comfortable and resist fogging up. For outdoor sports, they're truly top-notch.
CLARAVIDA Pros & Cons
Here’s a breakdown of what I loved and what nearly drove me crazy.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent progressive vision (once PD is correct). | Initial Pupillary Distance (PD) is often guessed wrong, causing blur and headaches. |
| Durable, sturdy frames ideal for outdoor sports and activities. | Customer service is email-only and very slow (expect 2 days per response). |
| Seamless transition between reading and distance viewing. | The exchange process requires returning the original pair before a new one is made, leaving you without glasses for weeks. |
| Stylish, modern look suitable for any setting. | Fixing an incorrect order is a frustrating and messy ordeal. |
Action Step: Review this table carefully. If you can tolerate the cons, then go ahead and purchase.
Conclusion: My Final Verdict
After all the back-and-forth, the slow emails, and the waiting, was the CLARAVIDA Sport Progressive model worth it? Absolutely—but I won't pretend it was easy.
The product itself, once properly fitted, is a game-changer for anyone with an active lifestyle who needs multifocus reading glasses. They're tough, clear, and perfectly functional.
I'm now completely sold on these glasses. They've entirely solved my "glasses shuffle" problem outdoors. However, you need to protect yourself from the start.
My Strongest Advice: Before you click 'buy,' measure your Pupillary Distance or get it from your eye doctor. Send that number to the company immediately. Skipping this step almost guarantees you'll need an exchange, and that process is extremely frustrating.
If you get the PD right on the first try, you'll be thrilled. These glasses are tough, comfortable, and exactly what I needed.
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