Glasses for Thick Lens

wishiwasarichgirl

A little advice from an optician:

For high prescriptions go for the smallest lens size spex you can find, and a chunky frame if it suits you, as it will hide the edge thickness (especially for high minus ie short-sighted).
If you are a high plus prescription(Rx) avoid rimless or half-rims as these have to be a little thicker at the edge to cut a groove round the edge of the lens to accommodate the thread which holds them in place, and since plus Rx are thicker in the centre they will never be as thin as they could be in a full rim frame (if that makes sense!)

Wherever you get your spex from, check if they have qualified Dispensing Opticians, as they are more highly trained in optics than optical/dispensing assistants and will usually be able to give better advice on best frame & lens combinations.

If your prescription is higher than + or - 10 you get a free sight test and a little help towards spex, (about £11 or £12, can't remember), if you also receive certain benefits you will get much more help toward spex. This is in the form of a voucher (GOS3) towards the cost of any spex, there are no longer any such thing as NHS spex.

No opticians has to glaze your own frame, some do, some don't. It sometimes causes problems as frames occasionally break during the glazing process, if it is the store's own frame they can just replace it, if it isn't they can't, so any that do glaze an "outside" frame generally do it at your own risk (ie, if it breaks, tough)

the_devil_made_me_do_it

wishiwasarichgirl wrote: »

No opticians has to glaze your own frame, some do, some don't. It sometimes causes problems as frames occasionally break during the glazing process, if it is the store's own frame they can just replace it, if it isn't they can't, so any that do glaze an "outside" frame generally do it at your own risk (ie, if it breaks, tough)

Exactly, you use your own frame at your own risk. I've used my own frame every time because the opticians haven't stocked a pair of specs I liked and I've never had returned to me a broken frame. If the optician won't use your own frame, they are just being plain awkward and I'd advise to go elsewhere.

DebtphobicDeirdre

Have you had Essilor physio lenses-I'm not sure if they are just for varifocals but the optician I work for uses them with great success for difficult prescriptions. some people can get an NHS voucher just for having a complex prescription, others get a voucher for income support, pension credit, income related job seekers allowance.

o2brich

The lens in my latest pair are Essilor Panamic and are glass not plastic as I am told this means they will be thinner than plastic. Do you know how thin Essilor Physio is - Essilor Panamic Glass is 1.8. I have come to the conclusion that the frame must not be the best for my high prescription but unfortunately I have to rely on the opticians advising me as I can't see a thing when I try the frames on!! Also I'm always told I don't have much choice in frames because of my prescription ( one eye is -12.5).

I have even thought of having some frames made to suit my prescription (and me!) but can't find anyone who does this.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

o2brich wrote: »

The lens in my latest pair are Essilor Panamic and are glass not plastic as I am told this means they will be thinner than plastic. Do you know how thin Essilor Physio is - Essilor Panamic Glass is 1.8. I have come to the conclusion that the frame must not be the best for my high prescription but unfortunately I have to rely on the opticians advising me as I can't see a thing when I try the frames on!! Also I'm always told I don't have much choice in frames because of my prescription ( one eye is -12.5).

I have even thought of having some frames made to suit my prescription (and me!) but can't find anyone who does this.

I think frames made for you to your specification are only carried out for celebs lol. Us mere mortals have to accept what the market is selling.

DebtphobicDeirdre

I'm not too sure about exactly how thin Essilor physio lenses are but I do know that they are the latest version. My optician employer is the nicest man in the universe but he is having a fortnight off as his DW has just had a baby. There are some nice frames by bench and Jai Kudo that will hide a thicker frame at the upper end of the market and x-eyes do a nice range too, cheaper, but you'll be paying quite a bit for those lenses so I would avise against a flimsy budget brand if you can. We had one lady who asked all her family to contribute to her new glasses for her birthday and they all came in and paid a few quid each - now she doesn't have to go around in coke bottle glasses which is all the NHS will pay for. Good luck- and take a trusted friend when choosing. The friend can take a photo on a digital camera or mobile phone.

o2brich

Thanks for that useful information. I have just had a look at the Jai Kudo frames online and some of the frames do look very good and, as you say, would to a degree disguise the thickness of the lens at the edges. The price of the frames do not seem that extortionate and anyway if they look better than the ones I have at the moment then I'll consider it a good bargain anyway!!

All I need to do now is find an opticians who stocks these frames so I can have a try on and also do some research about the Essilor Physio lens.

Woodyrocks

Can i wade in here with a Q of my own. Does anyone know the cheapest opticians in London to get lenses fitted in own frames. I did get them done at the specsavers fulham pretty cheaply once but they didn't charge me for glazing whereas everyone else does. I am a -5.5 (i think) and get thin lens and this always cost over £100 to put into my own frames.

Including frames I normally spend around the £300 mark a year :eek:

Cute_'n'_Quirky

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

You don't pay for sight test. If your unemployed you get so much help, but it dosen't really cover it. You get no help towards frames, unless you choose the nhs frames which as everyone knows are :eek:

I buy mine from www.39dollarglasses.com

Their service is superb and can highly recommend them. Shipped from the States with full money-back-guarantee, within six days.

For a straight-forward prescription you can pay around $50 for frame/lenses/shipping - about £26 - superb quality!

My Mother's bi-focals cost $90 - so £46 for them!

I have a very high prescription and get the most fantastic deals from them.

Have had four pairs from them now, over the last five years or so.

I'll_Be_Frank

Cute_n_Quirky wrote: »

I buy mine from www.39dollarglasses.com

Their service is superb and can highly recommend them. Shipped from the States with full money-back-guarantee, within six days.

For a straight-forward prescription you can pay around $50 for frame/lenses/shipping - about £26 - superb quality!

My Mother's bi-focals cost $90 - so £46 for them!

I have a very high prescription and get the most fantastic deals from them.

Have had four pairs from them now, over the last five years or so.

Hi Cute 'n' Quirky,

Have you been hit by Customs or don't imports of prescription Glasses attract duties?

I was thinking of getting some from 39dollarglasses.com but was worried
about the hassle of paying taxes and admin to the Royal Mail, etc.

Thanks,
Frank.