Buying Varifocal lenses online

iben

Hi,

I've been just told that I need varifocal lenses but they don't seem to be cheap especially if you want quality lenses like Zeiss or Varilux.

I've seen websites where you can order lenses either with a new frame or use your old frame. The prices seem to be a lot cheaper.

However I am a bit worried regarding fitting of the glasses.
One website (onlineglassesdirect DOT co DOT uk) says they send you a kit to measure everything yourself. Sounds like it is easy to get wrong.

Has anyone made any experience with ordering Varifocal lenses online? I've ordered specs online before without problem but that was for simple lenses.

Regards

smileygill

I've bought a few pairs of varifocals online - one from selectspecs (total cost including photochromic tint about £80) and lately 2 from directsight (cost of both after all offers around £150, including Transitions), each time with new - not the cheapest - frames. Also had 2 pairs from Tesco opticians (ended up costing a year's worth of Clubcard vouchers in a "swap" period).

Haven't had problems with any, except for the initial adjustment to wearing varis; it's a bit weird for the first few days till your brain adjusts. Tesco marked my pupil height on a dummy lens to get the split right, but tbh I can't tell theirs from the others in wear. I may be lucky, or they may know their stuff. I prefer the second explanation.

Aside, I've also bought polarising glasses (non-vari) for driving from Glasses Direct and they're excellent too.

It doesn't usually work out worthwhile cost-wise re-lensing existing frames - I wouldn't bother unless they're in as-new condition and you can't find anything like them.

Of course, each time I've bought when there's an offer that favours my purchase, and don't forget Quidco (great offer on directsight recently; might still be on). What helped me decide was the total cost being the same as the lenses alone on the High Street. I'd say "go for it", but see what others have to say.

Paulingreenwich

I've used 'Eyewear Glasses' twice before to get varifocals fitted into my frame. All I had to do on the first pair was put a dot on the lens in the frame, directly in front of my pupil using a mirror and a marker pen. That was all! They worked perfectly and I managed to save myself a fair bit of money by doing it this way. I'd have to say that it's quite difficult to get it wrong, unless you can't see your own reflection in the mirror!

When I placed my order, this is the link they sent me: http://www.eyewearglasses.co.uk/varifocal-heights

I've also had varifocals done into a brand new frame through a website called 'Eyebuydirect' , although they are based in the US (I was working over there at the time). They worked nicely as well. Maybe I've just been very lucky but I#d say that most opticians try and scare you away from online companies because they don't want you buying them far cheaper elsewhere.

Crocswearer

I bought replacement varifocal lenses for my own frame from Ciliary Blue having read great feedback on this forum.

I had to send them an old pair so they could measure pupillary distance.

I couldn't adjust to that pair, sent them back to be checked (they were fine - but CB was very helpful) and so put them aside in disappointment. A few months later I had a brainwave that perhaps the prescription had been inaccurate, but by then it couldn't be rechecked as it could have changed.

Since then, I've gone to ASDA opticians, where you can get varifocals and frames for £99, and they have been great - I bought some last year and some this year.

Johnny_B_good

If you've had Zeiss then you won't want to go back to cheap lenses. I buy mine every year from this company. Cheapest prices I've come across. Exceptional service as well.

www.eyewearglasses.co.uk/zeiss-varifocals

SallyEddis

hi i am needing to replace my lenses but to keep my frame, and not sure what company to use, i do need the price to be good as im fed up paying high street prices and a single parent.

tidus

Buying varifocals online is a pretty bad idea. The measurement/centration is vital if they are going to work - its not just the PDs either, you also need vertical measurement, knowledge of lifestyle/work requirements, previous brand/type worn.... the list goes on. Face to face with a dispensing optician is by far and away the option most likely to give a good result. If you get an effective pair online you've just got lucky.

SallyEddis

My optician always warns me NEVER to go and buy varifocals but yet thousands of people are doing this every day. One of the Mums at my daughters school says that her husband buys his varifocals from an online company and that he's never had any problems.

The Guardian ran an article on this subject recently and they didn't report anything bad. I'm not just trying to be contrary but surly all these companies wouldn't sell them and all the thousands of customers wouldn't buy them if there were such huge risks?

I am a single income parent so any service that saves me a barrel of money must surly be worth taking a look at?

nedmundo

It's not so much a huge risk, it's just that the lenses need precision placement in order to perform optimally. Anyone wearing varifocal lenses ordered without accurate measurements are in all likelyhood not seeing as well as they would have been if they had been dispensed face to face.

Whether they appreciate that or care is a different matter.....