Dilemma about my new varifocal glasses

grumpyguts_2

I know this is an old post, but I have been looking for info about varifocals after trying them for the first time. I sympathise with Fortyman, because I have had very similar experiences at Specsavers.

I was persuaded to try varifocals and resisted going for the most expensive, but conceded to paying about 40 pounds upgrade from basic after being reassured that it would be a no obligation trial. After choosing the frames, an assistant took various measurements for the lens manufacture. I asked at the time if the frames needed adjusting, but this was largely ignored. On returning to collect the glasses, I had to ask for the dispensing optician to fit them because another poorly trained assistant could not get them to fit correctly. Of course, after trying them for the past two weeks it is clear to me that the (very narrow) clear vision corridors are misalligned. I have to look left of an object to see it clearly with my left eye and straight at it to see clearly with my right eye, and because the corridor of clear vision in each lens is so narrow, I cannot see any point on the computer screen clearly with both eyes at the same time.

I really don't know now if properly fitted/prescribed varifocals will be good for me or not, and can't decide what to do.

I had a shocking experience two years ago at Specsavers, when I had to return with a pair of distance sunglasses seven times because one lens kept falling out. Apparently my prescription made it difficult to fit the lens in the frames and eventually the Manager explained that if I chose semi-rimless frames the problem would not reoccur. I did and Hey presto, problem solved!

I now dread a repeat performance, involving me taking a ridiculous amount of time off work to make the 10 mile trips into Oxford city centre, only to be dealt with by incompetent staff who have to try to sort out the problems caused by other incompetent staff.

Can any one clarify Specsavers 'clear pricing policy' since it is unclear to me:-

Firstly, I used an NHS voucher to buy 99 pound frames, which brought the price down to 35 pounds. The basic varifocal lenses were I believe free, so the upgrade to the next spec varifocals brought the total to 79 pounds. If I want to return the glasses and walk away, will Specsavers refund my 79 pounds and return me the NHS voucher so I can go to Asda instead?

I am going back there tomorrow because I think I heard something about returning within fourteen days - tomorrow is 13 days (13 days too long with these glasses).

Paulingreenwich

I too had a very bad experience with Specsavers when using the FREE Varifocal promotion. What they failed to inform me from the very beginning was that the lenses they offer for free are so bad that only around 40% of people who have never worn varifocals before actually get used to them!

In fact, their attitude was almost, 'well what did you expect for free!'

I think Specsavers need to start coming clean about their use of the 'Pentax' branding as it seems to me that:

A) Pentax is no longer regarded as a premium brand of lenses by any lens expert.

Specsavers seem to have a licence to just print the name 'Pentax' on any of their lenses regardless of how good they are.


Why can't people just be honest? I think I'm going to start looking online for someone who sells a good brand but much cheaper. Anyone had any dealings with getting varifocals online or is it just too risky?

Newcroft

I too, (10 days ago) took possession of varifocals from Specsavers. And I'm finding it difficult to come to terms with the new lenses (this is the first time I've had varifocals). The staff in the Glasgow branch are so confident; they're all so young and 'full of it.' I was hardly able to get a word in when they started their speil. Nice young people; but dear God, they have so much to learn. As a result, I am left with a pair of varifocals that leave me with headaches. Is it me or is it the glasses? I am getting old; lack of tolerance - or what?

I have an appointment with an independent optician tomorrow for another eyesight test. I will let you know the outcome.

sevencats

I had an eye test from Specsavers the first week in August and bought the 2 for 1 option for my varifocals. I've used this company for many, many years and had no problems with my varifocals in the past.

It's now almost the end of October and I'm at my wits end. I have made more than 15 trips to the Specsavers branch - I've had one eye test, one retest, 3 pairs of varifocals each with a different prescription, more alterations than I care to count. One frame has now been altered so many times it can't be salvaged and I still don't have a pair of glasses which enable me to see properly.

I am now faced with the prospect of having another eye test, choosing new frames and the ensuing wait for the glasses to arrive.

I didn't appreciate good vision (with or without glasses) until this debacle. I hope it ends soon as I feel I have been more than patient. A least after reading this forum I know I'm not the only one with this problem.

floss2

This does seem to be a "slate Specsavers" thread....all I would say is take your prescription to another optician!

QuackQuackOops

rms1 wrote: »

I have been wearing varifocals for 5 years with no problems but my eyes have slowly deteriorated so I felt I needed change. My long vision was OK but reading was getting harder.

I went to Specsavers and took up the 2 for the price of one offer and I am not happy with the results. I cannot complain about the service or attention I received but the glasses just don't seem to be right for me.

They have now had 3 attempts to get them right. Initially the optician tested my eyes and decided that I needed an increase in my lens in both short and long vision. When I got them, I felt that I was wearing someone elses glasses, I just couldn't see properly.

To cut a long story short, they decided to do a retest and came to the conclusion that they would leave the long vision the same as my old glasses but leave the increase in the short vision. When I got them back, they were even worse however, that was due to a clerical error, they had written the prescription wrong and one of the lenses was incorrect.

I have now got them back for a thrid time and although initially, in the shop they seemed OK, after 3 days, I am not happy with my vision wearing the new glasses. It seems that unless I hold my head in a certain way, I am getting blurred vision when I briefly catch the lower part of the lens. Watching TV is difficult unless I hold my head in a certain way. I should say that for reading, my vision is much better with the new glasses.

I plan to go back in to the shop today and ask for a refund but I thought I would ask here first. Am I wrong to think that with the correct glasses I should have almost perfect vision?

As I stated above, I am not new to varifocals so I know what to expect.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

I have had the same experience but it wasn't with specsavers. O was told "You need to get used to them" etc but I knew having glasses where everything was blurred and giving me a headache was not right.
If you have a slightly different perscription and your glasses have changed it can sometimes take a while to get the fit of them right.
I was retested and all that until eventually a senior guy came to fit them for me. The tiny dot that is supposed to be centre to my field of vision was off by a tiny amount.
Once they had this figured out, they corrected the problem and the glasses were then perfect.

sevencats

floss2 wrote: »

This does seem to be a "slate Specsavers" thread....all I would say is take your prescription to another optician!

Slating Specsavers isn't/wasn't my intention, when I did a google search on varifocal problems it brought me to this thread.

I was surprised to find so many people having similar problems. As previously mentioned I've had good service and no problems with my varifocals from Specsavers - until now. This makes it harder for me to understand what is going wrong this time.

I wanted to give them the chance to sort it out but I am now losing faith that they will get it right. I think I have been more than accommodating and patient whilst they try to sort it out but there comes a point when enough is enough. I may now be forced to have my eyes tested by another optician as I feel it's the prescription which isn't right.

I'm sure for every person "slating" Specsavers there are many more customers (like I was) happy with their purchases.

I just want to be able to see number plates BEFORE the car is so close I can touch it, read the computer screen WITHOUT tilting my head back so far that I look like a complete idiot, even then it's dancing and blurry... and not feel like my head is spinning when I look from the distance back to close up and vice versa. No amount of trying to get the "sweet spot" makes my vision clearer.

I just want to see clearly again:cool:

Newcroft

Further to my post of 25 October, I have since had my eyes tested by an independent Opthalmic Optician, who found that the Specsavers prescription was more or less correct (although the right eye required a very slightly stronger lens).

According to the independent Opthalmic Optician, the varifocal lenses provided by Specsavers, are the problem. They aren't the best quality (although I had bought the 'Tailor-made' lenses). I was advised by both the Opthalmic Optician and Dispensing Optician to have 'Free Form' Zeiss lenses fitted; much more expensive, however, they apparently reduce blurring & distortion, and increase the field of vision.

charleski

GlasweJen wrote: »

Asda optical staff are not just pulled off tills and set dispensing! We are all trained to the same legal standards as everywhere else in the area. We are all trained in fitting glasses, adjusting glasses, using pre-test machines and selecting appropriate lenses for prescriptions. We use a lot of locums who always return because they like working with our staff as we can all get on and get the menial jobs (such as filing and NHS claims) done because we're not chasing after commission.

Just registered to say that I was doing some research on different opticians and your comment led me to giving Asda a go. I'm sometimes slightly suspicious of shops costing significantly less, but have had my new glasses a week now and I'm completely happy with both the specs and the service. Thanks :beer:

hard_working_dave

Hi there, new to the forum.
Came across this forum,and have read some useful comments,regarding varifocal glasses.
Cut a long story short,I suffered bad customer service/treatment with regards to my eye test from another optician last year.
And having spoken to my older sister,who uses and like Specsavers,took her advice and went to have my eyes checked,as I have got type 2 diabetes.
The whole experience was very good to say the lest.Spent a good 2hrs in store, what with the eye test, and going through various lens options and frame options,etc,etc.
I have been recommend varifocals too,as I am short sighted,and having a bit of aggro,trying to re focus between near and far,if you get what I mean,ha,ha
I opted to go for the tailor made,ones as I will be using them every day,I had been shown and tried the demo model in Specsavers,to give me a rough idea of what to expect.
The lady who served me,listened to me,and advised me about the various lenses and the amount of distortion there is in each one.
I told her about the kind of work I do,and opted for the tailor made option.
Now with the tailor made option,am I right in thinking there will be less distortion at the edges?
As I have asked for the tailor made option,thinking I should not have any difficulties see with these lenses.
Also a big of a daft question,is as you get hot and sweaty,glasses tend to slip up n down,so you have to keep wiping your nose and making sure the glasses are postioned correctly ?:D
Taken up the 2 for 1 offer and will be picking up my new glasses next week,if all goes well then will be picking up my prescription sunglasses a week or so later:D
look forward to hearing what you folks have to say on this,ha,ha
Cheers