Why can't I continue to wear my 'old' prescription lenses if that's what I choose??

Tao81

Have tried both varifocal and the one eye for reading and one eye for distance principle, but didn't get on with either. They have realised that I am 'left eye dominant' whereas, the majority of the population are 'right eye dominant'....trust me to be different!!;)

It's really strange how they now are quite willing to work with me and fit me with different lenses to best suit me for reading and distance at the same time, but are refusing to do this via spectacles?? Doesn't seem right and the cynic in me says that they are more desperate to get me into contacts as they make a huge margin, whereas with glasses it's peanuts in comparison, once every two years.

Intuitively, I feel that if they are prepared to bend over backwards for me with contacts, then they should be able to do the same via specs as it's the same difference surely?!! and this is what is making me frustrated. I simply want the best solution for me to be able to wear one pair of glasses all day at work when I know varifocals are not an option!!!

I can see myself ending up like Harry Potter in a couple of years with super-glue and plaster etc visibly in use, in an attempt to maintain the ability to keep using the glasses I've go on at the moment!!!

Arg

If you want your old prescription made then you can just buy them online from whoever does those kind of lenses.

Online opticians will also act under the same rules they will ask for a prescription dated within the last two years. Anything outside two years is no longer valid.

I think you and some others have made a mistake.Whatever prescription you enter when buying online is what will be made.

Tao81

Arg wrote: »

If you want your old prescription made then you can just buy them online from whoever does those kind of lenses. I think you and some others have made a mistake.Whatever prescription you enter when buying online is what will be made.

Oh!....Now that's the news I've been waiting for, hope you're right....I'll give it a try :j

Aytoun27

Hi,

If glassesdirect don't work for you, try finding a local non-chain opticians. I did that after having worked by way through Boots, Specsavers etc and found them to be much more professional and helpful. Actual had a consultation with a real optician, not an optical assistant. I was told that I could have varifocals now or that I might want them in a couple of years, but that it was entirely up to me and that a lot of people managed close-up stuff like reading by simply taking their glasses off. Before anyone asks I was assured that this wouldn't damage my eyes. It was so unlike Boots where I had a row on my hands when I refused to have expensive plastic coated lenses in glasses I only wear in the evening. (Contact lens during the day). They said that they couldn't sell me glasses with ordinary lenses until I said that I'd go elsewhere and then they could.

podperson

I've bought both glasses and contact lenses online from a few different places and you just enter your prescription and that's what they send out. They have never asked me to prove that it was under 2 years old.

Tao81

Aytoun27 wrote: »

Hi,

If glassesdirect don't work for you, try finding a local non-chain opticians. I did that after having worked by way through Boots, Specsavers etc and found them to be much more professional and helpful. Actual had a consultation with a real optician, not an optical assistant. I was told that I could have varifocals now or that I might want them in a couple of years, but that it was entirely up to me and that a lot of people managed close-up stuff like reading by simply taking their glasses off. Before anyone asks I was assured that this wouldn't damage my eyes. It was so unlike Boots where I had a row on my hands when I refused to have expensive plastic coated lenses in glasses I only wear in the evening. (Contact lens during the day). They said that they couldn't sell me glasses with ordinary lenses until I said that I'd go elsewhere and then they could.

Yeah got one locally, I'll pop in. I can read perfectly well without glasses, so the problem is getting them to agree not to tweak distance prescription any more. As eyesight very good already with previous prescription, don't understand why they can't 'play ball'

Like I say, seem to be able to please themselves what they do with contacts?!!
This whole thing has managed to get me down a little bit. I was alright as I was and wasn't looking for a long drawn out hassle.
I not only feel my age now, but am worried about what to do if I end up unable to get another suitable pair of glasses for work?!

Tao81

podperson wrote: »

I've bought both glasses and contact lenses online from a few different places and you just enter your prescription and that's what they send out. They have never asked me to prove that it was under 2 years old.

That's good to hear....I'll have to go find my old prescription.....Hope I haven't binned it!

Never chosen frames online? How do you know what will suit you?

kitschkitty

I'm a tad confused. If you are having to pay for new lenses with a very similar prescription to your last pair, why are the opticians saying you can't have normal lenses (if that's what your last pair were) and why would you want to repeat an old prescription not have the new one?

If you want new lenses (from any dispenser) then surely you will need an up to date prescription as previous posters have stated. I thought that just told the dispenser what sight modification you need, does it actually include info that binds you to varifocal lenses? If so then I do think you need to speak to your optician (or find a new one you are more happy with) so that you can buy the lenses that will benefit your eyesight, and that you are happy with.

I understand lots of people don't get on with varifocals, so it's fair enough if you don't want them.

What about bifocals? My mum has them as she simply could not focus with varifocals.

pugfugly

I went into my Boots Optician to purchase some contact lens solution. The assistant checked my records and said she could only sell me Bausch and Lomb solution as the boots brand is reserved for people on their BVP plan. When I asked why, as a direct debit customer, I couldn't buy their own brand she just shrugged and said it was because the store was once a Dolland and Aitchinsons opticians. I had to find a Boots chemist and buy the solution there. So I cannot purchase Boots own brand solution in the Boots opticians!!! Is this madness or what? Maybe I should have gone to Specsavers....

Kitten_Pie

pugfugly I have never heard of that happening and I have worked for many opticians including both you mention.

If you can buy it off the shelf anywhere then you should also be able to get it from the counter - madness.

With regards to margins. Unless they are designer and not own brand the biggest margins are from the glasses. Although contact lenses generally require a direct debit (if you wear them all the time) it would take a long time to make the same amount of profit.

I remember 1 type of glasses being sold for £200+ and it cost £6 for the lenses and £6 for the frame to be made, obviously not taking into account overheads this is still a very large profit margin.