Specsavers rubbish varifocal specs

SevenOfNine

Have had varifocal specs for several years so well used to wearing them. Paid £270 just to replace lenses (in current frame) for the best Pentax custom made ones from Specsavers - and got the narrowest 'range' of vision I've ever had!

Expected some out of focus areas at the outer edges, normal with most varifocals and the cheaper they are the worse it usually is. However, their custom made are the best they do and about 5 levels up from their bog standard 50 quid varifocals, so didn't expect quite such a width of "soft focus" (as they call it, 'blurred' being a better description) at the sides. Rubbish, rubbish, rubbish. All drivers better allow for the fact that when driving and have to look to the left or right I can't see clearly. :eek:

On top of that, my left distance isn't as good as right so went to D&A for another eyetest to check Specsavers findings. Turns out left eye has got slightly better so prescription is a bit too strong. Specsavers very reluctant to check eye again so will go off to Tesco (I've had freebie eye test vouchers from those 2 places) to see if their findings are the same as D&A. Then I'll have more ammunition for Specsavers.

Mind you, doesn't help with blurred (sorry, "soft focus") vision unless I'm looking directly through the very narrow column of vision down the centre of my specs.

Feel so much better for this rant - not that I can read it through properly!

knightstyle

Yes, have the same problem. Wonder if there is a site that shows various manufacturers lenses vision map????

SevenOfNine

Specsavers had some printed examples of where their 'soft focus' areas were on each varifocal price level (looked like an oval mouse mats and they were lying around in the waiting/fitting area).

The top of their range custom-made seemed to have very little blurred areas which was why I was prepared to pay for it, I've since been back to check that they hadn't put in their basic ones by mistake because that's how they feel!

Seems pointless showing a customer what the expected clear vision areas will be when their examples bear no resemblence to the finished product. Apart from the width of the fuzzy edges, the 3 horizontal areas all seem a trifle high. Specsavers most reluctant to re-cut the lenses, keep insisting everything is in the correct place with nothing much at all to say about my left prescription not being correct.

They think I'm finished with them now and gone away - guess again Specsavers. When I've had my vision checked for the THIRD time "I'll be back".

Riccal

I have just been into a Specsavers branch in Spain. I have to say I was impressed with the eye exam itself. Usually over here the expertise seems to be a bit lacking but a good long examination with the optician and a sense of professionalism.

However, what I did object to was the blatant loading up that the sales staff are obviously pushed into doing.

My eyesight has degenerated to the extent that my short sighted correction means that I now have some problems reading close up and usually have to remove my glasses to do so. Varifocals were the answer. However, the offer of free varifocals and free reactolite or extra pair of glasses seems to be dependent on purchasing one of the better types of varifocals and not the standard ones which were described as the hardest ones to get used to. If varifocals are necessary shouldnt a standard level of quality be automatic. Or have I just become more naive in my old age.

I didnt expect market forces to be a factor in correcting my eyesight other than the straightforward choice of frames and whether I wanted reactolites or not.

Is the same thing going on in The U.K?

SevenOfNine

flobyjoby, interesting to hear from an actual Specsaver person, thanks.

Definitely Pentax Independence (just rang and asked), previously they just kept saying "Pentax Tailor Made - the best ones we do". Had 1.67 thick/thin thingy as well so total just for lenses was £269. No test, specs or reglaze charges in that price - purely lenses.

Previously I had 2 lots of D&A Nikon (Ultra) over the past 4 years which seem to have miles better clarity at the sides. On these Pentax the widest vision is in the distance part, but the intermediate and reading is pretty rubbish - I thought they'd put their cheapy freebie ones in by mistake! I pull them down my nose a bit so I can see better whilst driving (& lying on the sofa watching tele).

They've checked (twice) all the measurements (well, Specsavers have, haven't the nerve to ask another opticians to check Specsavers are telling the truth). 2 of the dispensing opticians in there did it separately but both said they seemed correctly positioned.

A directors/managers was supposed to call me to discuss possible eye retest and possible reglaze but they haven't bothered to contact me. A polite letter(well, maybe a tad snotty) will be on it's way by the weekend, decided to put things in writing. Don't feel inclined to pay all that money then go round with tired eyes, everything in a bit of a blur, all the time.

You have been a great help with the Sola One HDV info, might have to INSIST on re-test, re-measure, re-glaze using Sola One.......they can't get much worse than these anyway. Bears no resemblence to the rosy 5* description given on Specsavers website!

Riccal, don't get bog standard, cheap varifocals. There will be too much 'soft focus' (to use an opticians term - 'blurring' is more accurate) at the sides of your vision.

Check out the Specsavers website (new user so can't post links) to see a demo of how the 'freebie varifocals work' - though to be honest, my top of the range ones don't give me any more clarity than those in the demo. I agree, a standard level should be automatic, sadly, even paying for a better level doesn't guarantee it.

Torry_Quine

Well I have the basic varifocals from Specsavers and have no complaints especially as they were free!

SevenOfNine

A collegue of mine would agree with you Torry Quine - he also agrees he's unwilling to pay to try anything better, loses clarity very quickly when not looking directly through the central 'column' of the lens. He also only has a pretty weak prescription, in fact, so weak he can manage without them altogether if he chooses - I cannot!

Torry_Quine

Wasn't a case of not being willing to pay just that they were on special offer! Have no problems with looking out of different parts of the lens other than if I'm lying in bed watching TV!!

My prescription is such that I cannot manage without them even for a short time.

chappers

I have just bought a pair of glasses from specsavers, I went there because I thought I might need varifocals(and am always up for a freebie). The optician said I was still ok at range but that I may do in the future.
Thought the optician was great , but the sales staff/customer service was shocking.

underlay_guru

Well IMO You Should Have Gone To Spe........ Oh !!!!!!,you did.

tidus

Might be interesting for people to realise that Specsavers own the rights to the "Pentax" spectacle lenses brand. It is completely meaningless - they can sell anything and call it Pentax. Its not a "proper" lens brand like Zeiss, Essilor, Hoya etc - they are just using whatever they can get cheapest and calling it Pentax. Always thought that was a bit dodgy.