Glasses Buying Cost Cutting Plan Article Discussion Area

sophlowe45

just wanted to post incase anyone with a high prescription is reading, it is not cheaper to order online so please don't waste your time looking through websites and comparing prices etc.

i placed my order with posheyes.co.uk and they called saying my lenses have to be specially made as i am over -10 and hence an additional charge.

it is no cheaper than going to D&A as their £270 charge for lenses includes everything (and there is a 20% discount code at the moment) and online retailers charge for extra things as per your prescription, so the figure they quote for lenses is the basic charge only.

I won't be wasting so much time in future trying to get the best price as it isn't possible...and i used to think D&A just overcharged but you also get a two year guarantee.

mean_momma

sophlowe45 wrote: »

just wanted to post incase anyone with a high prescription is reading, it is not cheaper to order online so please don't waste your time looking through websites and comparing prices etc.


I won't be wasting so much time in future trying to get the best price as it isn't possible...and i used to think D&A just overcharged but you also get a two year guarantee.

I found the same problem. Glasses Direct may have become cheaper, but when I initially rang with my prescription (more than -8) the cost escalated. Varifocals cost even more. At the time they told me that people come to their lab for checking if varifocals are ordered, which is reassuring. In the meantime, as I don't drive, I am making do with a middle distance script that is a bit weaker in order to be able to have some new frames glazed by Cilary Blue. A chance of a bit of fun with different frames at last!

You could try your local independant optician. Don't just accept the price - I have been offered various deals for frame and glazing recently. It is a shame that those with real problems are having to pay such a lot, but there seems to be no alternative.

lilykim

Yikes! Just been to optician. Was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a few months ago, so have to look after my eyes. I've worn glasses since I was four (rather older than that now!!). Couldnt believe the cost. They had a good deal if you need single vision lenses, but all frames were too narrow to get bi-focal bit in so I would be comfortable with them. Two pairs of glasses, one bi-focal and one for computer £154.00. Considering my weekly take home pay is only £195.00 - no way!!:eek: Am going to shop around locally and see who will better that. I get the very minimum of help with nhs costs, so its down to me. Makes me seethe when I know of a family member who cant be bothered to work and gets most things paid and a sight (forgive the pun!) more help that I do. Well thats got it off my chest anyway. Thanks for putting up with my rant.

yummymummy888888

sophlowe45 wrote: »

i went to the institute of optometry in April and had an eye test.

Went to D&A last week and the two prescriptions are a bit different so i'm confused, i decided that as i come under complex eyesight i shouln't try to buy online, cilary blue only go upto -8 and posh eyes upto -10.

my institute of optometry prescription is -10 in both eyes so i could just about buy from posh eyes, but the D&A prescription is -10.25 and -10.50 as well as the axis and cyl values being different.

Now i don't know which prescription to use...any advice please?

DO NOT BUY ONLINE..... with your px you need accurate fitting and measurements taken. I will try to explain why really simply.

Uncut lenses are big circles (called blanks) and the centre point of the lens is where your pupil should look through when looking straight ahead. The strength of the lens then changes the further out from this centre point you go. To get sharp vision, an optician measures with pinpoint accuracy where in the frame your pupil is and has the lens cut around this to ensure that the centre point is in the correct place. YOU CANNOT DO THIS YOURSELF and even if you could online sites do not take these measurements. They rely on the fashion today for small frames to eliminate these measurements and place the centre of the lens in the middle of the frame.

Hope that helps!

sophlowe45

thanks i saw sense eventually and went to D&A today, £270 for lenses plus cost of frame, minus 20% voucher from m&s magazine, then used my NHS voucher (£79) = £208.20. Still a huge amount of money...but no cheaper online and also better for my eye health...

I have a healthcare cashback plan lilykim if thats of any help to you...i think they're really great, HSA cover you from the day you take you take it out and the first month is free and you can cancel at anytime provided you don't take up another plan with them for three years...there are also other providers but you have to wait between 1 month and 13 weeks before you can claim...

lilykim

Thank you! Hadnt even thought of any thing like HSA. Definetely will look into that. :T

sophlowe45

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/healthcare-cash-plans

Februarycat

sophlowe45 wrote: »

thanks i saw sense eventually and went to D&A today, £270 for lenses plus cost of frame, minus 20% voucher from m&s magazine, then used my NHS voucher (£79) = £208.20. Still a huge amount of money...but no cheaper online and also better for my eye health...

I have a healthcare cashback plan lilykim if thats of any help to you...i think they're really great, HSA cover you from the day you take you take it out and the first month is free and you can cancel at anytime provided you don't take up another plan with them for three years...there are also other providers but you have to wait between 1 month and 13 weeks before you can claim...

I'm with the HSA as well, they are very good and I got £75 back towards my glasses in May, they always pay quick as well.

nedmundo

lilykim wrote: »

Yikes! Just been to optician. Was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a few months ago, so have to look after my eyes. I've worn glasses since I was four (rather older than that now!!). Couldnt believe the cost. They had a good deal if you need single vision lenses, but all frames were too narrow to get bi-focal bit in so I would be comfortable with them. Two pairs of glasses, one bi-focal and one for computer £154.00. Considering my weekly take home pay is only £195.00 - no way!!:eek: Am going to shop around locally and see who will better that. I get the very minimum of help with nhs costs, so its down to me. Makes me seethe when I know of a family member who cant be bothered to work and gets most things paid and a sight (forgive the pun!) more help that I do. Well thats got it off my chest anyway. Thanks for putting up with my rant.

I have to say that is not too bad a deal for what you describe - do let us know if you manage to better it.

floaterbb

smirnybrown wrote: »

Has anyone used Metsuki for prescription glasses before. Some glassses after having my eye test today, and the above company do the frames for £50 less.
Thanks
A

I've used them twice now, I just posted a new thread about it...
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=12858159#post12858159