Varifocals - Asda vs Specsavers field of vision comparison

Supernova

Hi all,

I've been wearing Varifocals for 10 years or more - clear glasses with thin lenses plus sunglasses with thicker lenses.

Specsavers quoted me about £540 for replacement pairs last week. They can't determine the type of varifocals I bought from another branch but I'm pretty sure they were the Elite - not sure who makes them.

Popped into Asda with my prescription today and I could get Essilor Comfort lenses and the two pairs for £360 - 1.67mm and 1.5mm for the sunglasses.

Asda reckoned I would adapt from SS Elite to Asda Essilor quite easily - I'm guessing that the Comforts are equivalent to SS Premiums?

Anyone know if they are likely to be right and are the lenses themselves of comparable quality?

Thanks!
S

Supernova

Which? have a good article on Varifocals:

http://www.which.co.uk/reviews/opticians-stores/article/best-and-worst-opticians-stores/choosing-varifocals

Does anyone know if the Asda Essilor lenses fall firmly under the budget category or if they are better than that?

Thanks

GlasweJen

I always liked essilors lenses. OP if you hold your glasses up to the light and look about half way down your lens near the leg can you see a scratched in mark? If you can describe the mark I might be able to tell you what lens brand you have. I have a feeling it's a Zeiss lens (pattern will be like a box with the corners cut off and z patterns inside, Specsavers used them for their elite range for a few years and then changed to a different brand just before I left 3 years ago.

Supernova

Thanks GlasweJen.

I can't see a mark on any of the four pairs I've had over the years.

Essilor tell me that the Comforts are classed as Freeform so may be a good choice beyond budget lenses?

S

GlasweJen

Like I say I have a soft spot for essilor lenses, the optometrist who took me on as a pre-reg used the essilor range for everything and we never had any problems.

I also worked for Asda opticians but before they used essilor and there was always a trained dispensing optician in every shop in addition to the optoms and retail staff, when I worked for Specsavers this wasn't the case.

I'd go with Asda if the price is right, the opticians have a good returns policy so even if it doesn't work out at least you're covered.

teddysmum

My sister who is finding her contacts uncomfortable now she is older (glasses for reading), considered varifocals,but was told by a Specsavers staff member that Asda's are not as good as theirs, so on price basis she decided against. (Probably a case of wanting to reach targets? )

Supernova

teddysmum wrote: »

My sister who is finding her contacts uncomfortable now she is older (glasses for reading), considered varifocals,but was told by a Specsavers staff member that Asda's are not as good as theirs, so on price basis she decided against. (Probably a case of wanting to reach targets? )

Thanks. Rather depends on exactly which lenses were being compared ;-)

S

Supernova

GlasweJen wrote: »

Like I say I have a soft spot for essilor lenses, the optometrist who took me on as a pre-reg used the essilor range for everything and we never had any problems.

I also worked for Asda opticians but before they used essilor and there was always a trained dispensing optician in every shop in addition to the optoms and retail staff, when I worked for Specsavers this wasn't the case.

I'd go with Asda if the price is right, the opticians have a good returns policy so even if it doesn't work out at least you're covered.

OK, ordered them. Hopefully it will work out. Specsavers hadn't been able to find the details of my previous glasses order from a different branch over 5 years ago probably (index, precise lens) but I guessed they were 1.67 Elites with 1.5 for the sunglasses.

Of course Asda cannot take responsibility for Specsavers prescription but they've had a few goes at it over the years.

TBH my current pair are so scratched up it wouldn't take much to improve them!

I need a lie down after all this decision-making and I'll let you all know in a couple of weeks time! :-)

S

GlasweJen

teddysmum wrote: »

My sister who is finding her contacts uncomfortable now she is older (glasses for reading), considered varifocals,but was told by a Specsavers staff member that Asda's are not as good as theirs, so on price basis she decided against. (Probably a case of wanting to reach targets? )

Lol! Considering they used the same company to supply their lenses for years this is quite funny.

Asda optical assistants are paid the same as everyone else in the shop, no bonuses or commission. Specsavers employees tend to be paid minimum wage and rely on bonuses for "converting" sales and selling upgrades.

roddydogs

Supernova wrote: »

Hi all,

I've been wearing Varifocals for 10 years or more - clear glasses with thin lenses plus sunglasses with thicker lenses.

Specsavers quoted me about £540 for replacement pairs last week. They can't determine the type of varifocals I bought from another branch but I'm pretty sure they were the Elite - not sure who makes them.

Popped into Asda with my prescription today and I could get Essilor Comfort lenses and the two pairs for £360 - 1.67mm and 1.5mm for the sunglasses.

Asda reckoned I would adapt from SS Elite to Asda Essilor quite easily - I'm guessing that the Comforts are equivalent to SS Premiums?

Anyone know if they are likely to be right and are the lenses themselves of comparable quality?

Thanks!
S

So. Did you get them & whats the verdict?

roddydogs

So has anyone got asda variafocal & whats the verdict? Sorry double post glitch!