New glasses

MrsShazbat

I get a free eye test voucher for Specsavers thru work every 2 years, which also includes discount off the actual glasses (2 thresholds up to certain values, can't remember specifics but last time around I got a £25 pair and a £99 pair and only paid about half). Unfortunately I'm about 6 months away from the next one but struggling to read with my existing prescription (I'm long-sighted); basically trombone-arm with or without my glasses! I didn't want to mess up my Specsavers record by going early, but a friend sent me a £10 eye test voucher for Boots so I thought I'd use it, get a cheap pair to at least tide me over if necessary and if they said 'no change' (even though I suspected that would be unlikely) then I'd only spent a tenner.

It turned out my prescription has gone from 0.25 in each eye to 1.75 and although I'm still legal to drive, my distance was also a bit blurry so they recommended varifocals with the minor prescription for distance to sharpen my focus, and of course the main prescription for my close work. I then learnt of course that unlike Specsavers, Boots don't do cheap glasses. Cheapest were £50, which I was getting half-price but still. Anyway, despite only initially looking for a cheap pair to get me by, I've ended up going with a designer pair (on the basis I can have the lenses changed but keep the frames in future, recommended by a friend who does the same), as I'm going to be wearing them 99% of the time now (yay, been dying to be told I need to wear them full-time, such a pain taking them on and off depending what I'm doing!!). On the plus side, they did throw in the eye test for free!! What it also means is that even if I don't go to Specsavers immediately my test is due with them, I will still get the voucher whenever, once the 2 years has passed.

Just the £305 to pay in the meantime though ....

Ilona

I go every two years to get my free eye test because it's important to check if they are healthy. They would like me to buy new specs at the same time but I choose to go back at a later date, when I am ready, which might be anything up to a year or more. My prescription changes only slightly, I sometimes wear my previous specs because I like them better. I have asked about just changing the lenses but they make an excuse saying they can't do it.

Specsavers is my choice, used to go to Boots, but their prices are ridiculously high. I can't buy online because I need to try on lots of frames before I decide which to get.

Ilona

bazzyb

Ilona wrote: »

Specsavers is my choice, used to go to Boots, but their prices are ridiculously high. I can't buy online because I need to try on lots of frames before I decide which to get.

Interestingly, this is actually one of the main reasons why I prefer to buy my glasses online! I find that trying frames on for a few seconds in store is not sufficient to see how they look and feel, for something I've got to spend the next two years wearing. When I buy online, I select 4 frames which are posted out to me and I keep them for up the a week, this gives plenty of time to try them on etc and see how they feel as well as asking others for opinions. I then send the frames back and decide which (if any) I want to have made up with my prescription. I have been known to do this 3 times in succession, trying on 12 frames in total before deciding which 2 I am purchasing!

Also, if you are really happy with your existing frames and want the lenses changing to your new prescription there are plenty of online providers that will do that.

MariaJP

Boots Opticians Rip Off - you may find my recent thread "Boots Opticians" of interest. It resides on the "Praise, Vent, Warnings" forum.

MrsShazbat

Since my last post, oh boy. I didn't get on with the varifocals at all, was told that they don't really offer bifocals now so went with single vision. I've now got a £230 pair of Rayban single vision glasses in my bag, 2 other pairs for work/home and a distance pair which transition in the sun. They're supposed to react behind the windscreen, but as far as I can see unless I've been outside the car first and they've reacted, that doesn't happen. I've paid nearly £400 for all 4 pairs.

The Raybans, I still can't get on with. More and more I've become convinced that one of the lenses is wrong because it's blurry when I look through it. Not bad, I can still read, but if I cover that eye (my right) I can see the difference with my left. Called back into Boots last night to query it and request an appointment to get it sorted. They made a couple of adjustments there and then but having worn them today (as requested to see if the adjustments worked), what I've now worked out is that they're still behaving like varifocals and unless I hit a precise bit of lens, everything above or below that precise bit of lens is blurred. So I'll be keeping the appointment I've made to get them sorted. I guess I won't be getting my money back or anything, but they're going to be put right and I will definitely not be using Boots again. Unsurprisingly an email went ignored.

juno

I buy mine from SelectSpecs - I upgrade to the £10 frames, although they do have some for £6. But for £10 I get a pair of glasses, anti-scratch and anti-reflective coating, and thinner lenses. Delivery is about £7, but I buy loads of pairs and leave them everywhere.

AbbieCadabra

another thumbs up for Asda from me

i get eye tests done at costco, £14.99, our asda is very busy so just prefer costco & i think they're a similar price.

one pair of glasses from costco was going to be around £200 - single vision, transition lenses, frames £80-£100.

picked 2 frames for £99 at asda today, golddigga & joan collins (get me! ), £40 each for reactive lenses, so £179 all in. should be ready in 2 weeks, probably less.

Katiehound

Just to say, (thumbs up for Specsavers- but they are a franchise so it very much depends on the optometrist)... don't forget you can have your glasses prescription fulfilled anywhere- you are not tied to the firm who did the test.

I also bought some reactolight reading glasses for reading outside in the summer- they took far too long to react and even then weren't dark enough! Lessoned learned. The next time I bought prescription sunglasses.

amandacat

I agree re Glasses Direct. If you find glasses you like in future in a high street store make a note of the make and model number and order then online. So much cheaper and I've been getting the same pair re glazed as my prescription changes for years with glasses direct and they always do a great job.

sitcomp

I also agree in relation to Glasses Direct. Ordered a few pairs, never had a problem.