Buying Glasses Online

Undervalued

Saffythecat wrote: »

In terms of fitting, my regular optician actually adjust them for me. It’s an independent and I have been going there for years, with a monthly lens plan, so I am not sure if somewhere like Specsavers would be as obliging.

I’ve also seen frames in my own optician, taken a note of the name/number, ordered them online at a much cheaper price, and had them “glazed” at Specsavers. I am possibly a bit brass necked...!

I don't think you should feel "brass necked" at all. As has been said in other threads the optician profession / trade (and it is both) has dug itself into a big hole.

On one side there is the highly trained medical / professional aspect, for which I have the greatest respect. However what is so wrong is that rather than charge a fair price for a professional service, they generally provide that at a loss (or even free) and subsidise it by selling wildly marked up "fashion accessories" from expensive high street locations. No other medical service does this and it is little wonder online suppliers have set up providing the same product at a fraction of the cost. They are, presumably, still making a worthwhile profit which rather reinforces the point.

System

Over the past 2 years, I have had cataract operations on both eyes. I now have excellent long range vision but I struggle to read a book or use a computer. My optician recommended glasses with regressive lenses at a total cost of £280. I went for the cheaper online option of reading glasses and a slighter weaker prescription for computer use at a total cost of £60 including coatings etc. I used Glasses Direct. Obviously, they needed an up to date prescription and I had to send them a photo with a credit card stuck on my forehead. I had the right to return the glasses if I didn’t like them. Just buying reading glasses from my optician would have cost me over £100.

pmduk

Hengus wrote: »

Over the past 2 years, I have had cataract operations on both eyes. I now have excellent long range vision but I struggle to read a book or use a computer.

I'm in a similar position, but my surgery left my with both eyes at 0.00, so I can now buy reading glasses anywhere. Happy Days. Superdrug have rebadged Selectspecs offering and have glasses starting at £5.00 + £5.95 P&P which might be of interest.

kah22

I have my prescription from Specksavers and have been thinking of getting a pair of prescription sunglasses online, if the price is right. I have the golden ticket

However,I think, I read on the forum that there is a measurement which doesn’t appear on the script and that you are not given it. What is ir and am I entitled to have a copy of it

Sorry if I got mixed up and can’t give more information

Kevin

getmore4less

kah22 wrote: »

I have my prescription from Specksavers and have been thinking of getting a pair of prescription sunglasses online, if the price is right. I have the golden ticket

However,I think, I read on the forum that there is a measurement which doesn’t appear on the script and that you are not given it. What is ir and am I entitled to have a copy of it

Sorry if I got mixed up and can’t give more information

Kevin

The measurement is the Pupil distance(PD), the distance between the centre of the pupils

You can measure it yourself in a mirror or get someone to do it for you.

Some people need to have two measurements one for each side to centre.

Load of info on line to help understand what is needed and how to measure.

Undervalued

kah22 wrote: »

I have my prescription from Specksavers and have been thinking of getting a pair of prescription sunglasses online, if the price is right. I have the golden ticket

However,I think, I read on the forum that there is a measurement which doesn’t appear on the script and that you are not given it. What is ir and am I entitled to have a copy of it

Sorry if I got mixed up and can’t give more information

Kevin

The optician is not legally obliged to put this measurement on the prescription. They would argue that it is part of the dispensing of glasses rather than the sight test. That is nonsense as they need to know the PD to properly position their trial frame or other refraction equipment!

However they seem to be able to get away withholding that information. They delight in doing so a it is a (small) hurdle in the way of patients wanting to take their prescription, as is their legal right, and buy online.

If at any point they have recorded the PD you can now force disclosure by making a subject access request under the GDPR. However that is long winded and unlikely to make you welcome in the future!

As an adult you only need to find out once as it is not going to change unless you suffer major trauma to the head.

Various was of measuring your PD are described online and some sites have a system using the webcam on your computer. Alternatively most online companies will let you post them an old pair of glasses and they have equipment to measure the PD from there.

Getting it right is quite important, more so with stronger prescriptions and particularly with varifocals which really do need to be adjusted to fit correctly.

I order my varifocals online but I do have a background in scientific optical instruments and have the skills and equipment to make fitting adjustments to frames. Quite frankly a lot of front of house staff in opticians can be far less competent in that area than one would hope!

Gers

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