High myopia prescription..where to get glasses?

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I get my contact lenses from Asda & have tried to get a pair of glasses via them. Unfortunatly, whoever they use to make the lenses can't handle my prescription.

If I go to an independent optician, it could cost me an absolute fortune as I need the thinnest lenses that there is on the market. Just wondering if anyone can recommend an optician such as: Specsavers who can handle high prescriptions.

My worst eye is -15, so need some advice from others with as high a prescription as mine.

nedmundo

Probably not the answer you are after, but with your prescription, centration and distance between lens and eye are critical. You really need somewhere with a qualified dispensing Optician to dispense your specs, irrespective of price. Anything else would be a false economy.

Fire_Fox

With that prescription are you eligible for a lenses voucher to help towards the cost?
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Documents/2009/HC11Nov09.pdf

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Yes, I am entitled to help with costs towards glasses luckily.

The problem is you can't see how the lenses are before buying them. Also, finding a suitable frame can be an issue too.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I have actually seen a pair of frames on the internet. Would an optician be prepared to fit lenses in them?

aggypanthus

I got mine from Asda 2 years ago, both eyes were 12. I wonder what theire upper limit is?

My local opticians price this week for new lenses is £175 plus frames, Ididnt buy them.
I read that specsaver have offers on all lenses worth a look on the site.
Do you need to swop between lenses and specs?
One plus about such a high prescript is, when you get to the age of needing reading glasses, you will get reading vision by simply slipping the normal specs down a fraction! no need for vari or bifocals too.

aggypanthus

Fire_Fox wrote: »

With that prescription are you eligible for a lenses voucher to help towards the cost?
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Documents/2009/HC11Nov09.pdf

any idea the value of optical vouchers?

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Well Asda claim they can handle +20/-20, but the truth of it is they can probably handle less than -/+ 10.

They did glaze some glasses that I had picked, but each time they came back from their lens supplier, they were horrible. In the end I told them I didn't want them.

So now back on the new glasses hunt.

I don't know how much the NHS vouchers are worth. Although they come in catagories. The worse the prescription, the higher the level of fianacial support.

geri1965_2

Last NHS voucher I had was £16, my prescription is -10.25.

Doesn't go far when the glasses cost around £400.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

geri1965 wrote: »

Last NHS voucher I had was £16, my prescription is -10.25.

Doesn't go far when the glasses cost around £400.

That's the problem isn't it. We can't help needing glasses, yet we are punished for it & taken advantage of really.

How many people can afford to pay high prices for glasses.

I mainly wear contact lenses, however, I need a pair of glasses in order to give my eyes a rest. However, it's very difficult when it comes to needing new glasses due to cost and limited choices of frames.

geri1965_2

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

How many people can afford to pay high prices for glasses.

I mainly wear contact lenses, however, I need a pair of glasses in order to give my eyes a rest. However, it's very difficult when it comes to needing new glasses due to cost and limited choices of frames.

Me too, I've never really understood why lenses are so cheap compared to glasses! I only wear my specs in the house. They are so expensive I don't want to risk breaking them outside!