Credit only for non-suitable varifocals?

vigman

Hi

I have a good relationship with my optician. They have done my eye tests and computer based tests for years and guided me to the eye hospital when I needed it.

I buy my 'main' glasses from them and cheap spares from Glasses Direct.

In the last few years I have had 'office varifocals' from them for very close and computer work. I have had to change these for distance glasses when driving.

I was finally convinced that one pair of varifocals could now cover all my needs and was told that I had 12 weeks to try them or the cost of the lenses would be given back as a credit.

I went into this with my eyes open (sorry couldn't resist!) but am just wondering about the legality of this offer.

It looks like the glasses won't suit. I paid by Credit card as the lenses were approx £300 and the frames £100.

As these (lenses at least) are not 'fit for my purposes' could I legally insist on a refund than a credit?

If the optician won't refund, could Barclaycard?

This is more out of curiosity as my wife and daughter will be needing to spend money on complex lenses later, but I would like to know the full MSE legally correct reply, please?

TIA

Vigman

PS Unless you have the exact pupillary distance for each eye, or a perfect pair of existing varifocals to send off, you cannot buy well focussed varifocals from the cheap suppliers online. The optician does not have to tell you your pupillary measurements as it is not part of your presecription.

Leo2020

I don't use varifocals as I don't need them. But I have heard that not everyone likes them. So it's not a case of the lens not being made to your prescription (you would be entitled to a refund in that situation) but personal preference. You might decide that you don't like them, in which case getting credit would be a pretty good deal.

thunderella

I have varifocals, and yes they do take some getting used to ... and some people never manage to get used to them.

If you can prove the spectacles are actually faulty, then you could demand a refund. However, your optician has probably already checked to ensure they are manufactured correctly. If they were not, I'm sure he would have offered to have at least get them made correctly for you

I've had varifocals remade before for free because they were incorrect. It could be because the lenses were incorrectly ground as Leo2020 suggests, or another issue with varifocals is that the position they sit on your face and the distance between your eyes must be correctly measured to ensure the postioning of the varifocussing lenses suit you. It was the latter they got wong for me - so the lenses were correctly manufactured, but the optician incorrectly specified them originally.

If you want to prove incorrect manufacturing (or specification) you would almost cetainly need the help of another optician to prove this (if not accepted by your own). Any optician should be able to check the correctness of the lenses themselves, and the pupillary measurements you referred to. (They can measure your face, and check how the spectacles were manufactured - there's usually small marks on the lenses, but you probably can't see them without your glasses!)

I think in the circumstances you describe, it is more likely you just 'don't like' what you have purchased. Ordinarily in such circumstances you are not entitled to any form of recompense.

However, in this instance you were offered a credit refund if you did not like the spectacles you purchased. (This is quite common with many opticians supplying varifocals). That offer formed part of the contract you entered into, and so the optician can be held to that term (but that does not entitle you to a cash refund, just a credit).

All legal and above board.

vigman

Thanks, everyone.

I am having another sight test to double check the prescription with another partner at the opticians next week and also having the lenses accurately measured.

I, too, have had to have replacement lenses when new glasses were incorrectly made up by the laboratory in the past.

The 'office varifocals' I use for close use up to computer screen distance have really suited me well for several years, so I can tolerate some form of varifocal. However, at the moment on the full field varifocals, I cannot get focus with both eyes at all at the 12" - 18" distance and suspect a technical issue with the lens.

Apparently Nikon offer the 3 month trial or credit rather than the opticians themselves and this seems usual with varifocals.

I'm still hoping that I can get to use full field varifocals as it would be great not to have to keep changing specs all the time!

Vigman

ThumbRemote

vigman wrote: »

I am having another sight test to double check the prescription with another partner at the opticians next week

I took me a few times to read this before I understood you weren't taking your 'bit on the side' to the opticians with you.

nedmundo

What you have been told is all correct. In this instance, if there is no fault in the lenses, I'd be tempted to try you with a different manufacturer and design of varifocal, under the same terms.

vigman

Second optician found the initial prescription was wrong in a measurement that would only have caused problems in full field varifocals so new ones being made up.

Vigman

thunderella

vigman wrote: »

Second optician found the initial prescription was wrong in a measurement that would only have caused problems in full field varifocals so new ones being made up.

Vigman

Which measurement was that?

Afaik, an optical prescription is an optical prescription.
The only measurements I know of that are unique to varifocals are the ones I mentioned previously (and they do not form part of the prescription)

tom15387202

A few points to consider, for anyone in the same boat as you...

• Eye Exams are subjective and only as accurate as the information you provide.
• Optical products are classed as custom made, so no, they are under no obligation to provide you with a refund unless proven faulty.
• You shouldn't see another Optician (outside of the existing practice) as more than likely they will find a different prescription anyway (see point one)
• Having your new glasses checked by a third party is a good idea in thought. However depending on what lenses are purchased you may find the prescription manufactured will appear incorrect when checked. This is due to many freeform progressives/single vision lenses are now manufactured to a compensated prescription which only the original Opticians will hold and can appear to be completely wrong to a third party.

vigman

thunderella wrote: »

Which measurement was that?

Afaik, an optical prescription is an optical prescription.
The only measurements I know of that are unique to varifocals are the ones I mentioned previously (and they do not form part of the prescription)

I know that the left axis went from 161 to 163 (yes that is correct) and I was told that in single vision long distance glasses that would not be as noticeable as with varifocals?

Vigman

vigman

tom15387202 wrote: »

A few points to consider, for anyone in the same boat as you...

• Eye Exams are subjective and only as accurate as the information you provide.
• Optical products are classed as custom made, so no, they are under no obligation to provide you with a refund unless proven faulty.
• You shouldn't see another Optician (outside of the existing practice) as more than likely they will find a different prescription anyway (see point one)
• Having your new glasses checked by a third party is a good idea in thought. However depending on what lenses are purchased you may find the prescription manufactured will appear incorrect when checked. This is due to many freeform progressives/single vision lenses are now manufactured to a compensated prescription which only the original Opticians will hold and can appear to be completely wrong to a third party.

Interesting. I have been told that although I queried eye tests being subjective, I was told that this was just to confirm the objective measurements that are taken and that it was possible to prescribe without the patient's input

The optician who did the retest was in the same practice (which is the only one recommended by the local Eye Hospital).

Vigman