Online opticians and NHS voucher

[Deleted User]

Hi
Can anyone advise me? I have an NHS voucher and my perscription for new varifocal lenses. I'd like to have my existing frames reglazed but most of the online opticians I've found won't accept the voucher. Are there any you can recommend. Many thanks

ps: hope this doesn't break the forum rules

twinkle1981_2

As I understand it, NHS vouchers wont cover Varifocal lenses as this is more of a cosmetic issue. You can claim Bifocal lenses on an NHS voucher but not varifocals.

I work for an opticians and if a patient wanted Varifocals they would have to pay extra.

But as to the fact the voucher is not accepted online, this may be due to the fact that a registered optometrist has to sign the voucher once the dispense is completed in order for the NHS to pay for the dispense.

[Deleted User]

thanks Twinkle, that explains things. I think I may pay the difference online as it still works out cheaper than on the high st. I'll use the voucher for a second pair in case of emergencies... have been known to sit on my specs when i can't remeber where i've put them thanks again

GlasweJen

Twinkle is right, NHS are only concerned with distance and reading and not with intermediate vision. There are some opticians who glaze varifocals at the NHS rate but they are basic lenses and not the most tolerable ones on the planet.

If they let you pay the extra on top of the voucher then that is an option, failing that hit the high street as there are always offers to be had even if they're not advertised.

[Deleted User]

"If they let you pay the extra on top of the voucher then that is an option"

yes this is what i was hoping to do. Maybe I have misunderstood what I've read on the online optician sites. The only one I've found who say they do accept nhs vouchers is ciliaryblue.com. I'll have another look at the site, I'm easily confused
thanks

HKB33

hi bushbaby, my Dad had a pair of varifocals with ciliaryblue and used his voucher towards the price, he ended up paying around £15 I think, himslef. He had to ring them direct (well it was me that rang for him!) to sort it out, they were really helpful though, I've used them loads and they're always really good.

[Deleted User]

HKB33 wrote: »

hi bushbaby, my Dad had a pair of varifocals with ciliaryblue and used his voucher towards the price, he ended up paying around £15 I think, himslef. He had to ring them direct (well it was me that rang for him!) to sort it out, they were really helpful though, I've used them loads and they're always really good.

Great that's good to know. I'llcall them later in the week hopefully I'll get my new specs in a couple weeks.

cheers everyone :T

[Deleted User]

A quick update: My new specs arrived today. I bought the frames online and used my NHS voucher for the lenses, the all in cost was about £60.00. I used Ciliary Blue for the re-glaze and I'm really impressed the guy I spoke to there was really friendly and informative. I don't know why I've been spending £100's with high st opticians. Ciliary Blue will be my first choice next time, nice to use a service and not feel overcharged. Excellent service from Ciliary Blue. Thanks for the advice folks:T