I'm thinking that varifocal is what we call 'progressive' lenses in the States.

I've been getting my eyes checked and my glasses and contacts all at Costco.

I am near-sighted and astigmatic and with age I don't focus so well in the near. I've got two pairs of glasses. One is progressive and self-darkening in outdoor light and I find it is suitable for driving but doesn't actually focus as well as the smaller pair with a single prescription for distance. While the progressive lenses gave some distortion when first used, my eyes/brain seem to have been able to take that into account. I have not found them to be unsafe in normal use and in getting about.

I can use the laptop and read almost normally with no corrective lenses. If I need to read the prescription bottle's fine print then a set of cheap plastic reading glasses basically act as magnifying glasses but I don't normally need them.