Specsavers vs online

NeillB

Hi

I'm due to go to specsavers for my yearly (due to a family history of glaucoma) eye test. I've been lucky the last few years in that my prescription hasn't changed that much. I have a feeling that I'm slowly heading towards bi or varifocals. I'm thinking of possibly using online but know that their cheap prices are based on single vision. My girlfriend has varifocal glasses and was told to come back if they gave her problems. Bearing this in mind and prices I'm I better sticking with specsavers? Thanks in advance for any positive opinion/information given.

lisyloo

You can choose to have 2 pairs of glasses for distance and reading.
I did this for a few years and means you can have cheap specs as well as not compromise on vision at the expense of carrying/changing glasses.
Actually I still have reading glasses as I don’t find varifocals comfortable for extended periods e.g. all day on a computer, as you need to tilt your head a bit for reading.

Personally I think specsavers are great for varifocals.
They Used to do a trial so if you are one of the people who can’t get on with varifocals then they will change you back to single vision.

I would not get varifocals online for the same reason as toric/astigmatism.
Varifocals need to be fitted correctly as the correction is different across the lense.
They aren’t going to work well if they aren’t fitted correctly.

For me personally my vision (and teeth) are not something I will compromise on to save money.

If your looking for low prices plus local service then Asda are an option.
They do really cheap varifocals.
The field of vision will however be less than the “tailor made” ones specsavers do.
When I was there specsavers did a range of 4 prices with the highest being more tailor made.

maman

It's worth checking out Boots opticians too if you have one near you. They sometimes do good offers and you can use their loyalty card to get some more 'money off'.

I'm happy to pay quite a bit for my glasses. I only need distance glasses but I do wear them every day so if you think of cost per wear then they're good value.

LandM1

I buy my frames online from Italy because I find the frames available in opticians where I live are very dull. They cost about 99 euros, then varifocals at a cheap local optician are about £60. I’ve done this several times with no problems.

[Deleted User]

I got sick of being charged extra for varifocals if you got anything more than the lowest quality which only allows limited vision and the last pair of frames I bought from Specsavers literally fell apart (could not be repaired) two months after I bought them.

I now get my glasses from Asda Opticians. You aren't on a conveyor belt (awful in Specsavers). you don't get 'encouraged' to spend more, when you pay for your glasses its all included. And I can buy two pairs for £140 which is far less than Specsavers (and no charges for higher quality Varifocals, lenses seem to be better quality). Frames seem to be a lot better too.

Pollyflinders

I have excellent service from our local Specsavers for years. Nothing like a conveyer belt, with some long-serving helpful staff.

On two separate occasions, I have glasses replaced as I couldn't get on with them. Last year, was because I had chosen a pair that was too big.

As Specsavers are franchises, it very much depend on franchisee and location.

teddysmum

I'm surprised that no one has recommended Asda, which has been the case in the past. I get four pairs including thin lenses for the price of two from Specsavers.

However, I came unstuck this time, by having my sight test at Specsavers but using the prescription at Asda, because though the distance and distance sunglasses are fine, the reading glasses are a problem so I think I will have to pay for Asda to change a lens for me. (I use Specsavers as the local branch owner/optician is tracking the progress of my cataracts and until recently were one of the few doing retinopathy tests)

Katiehound

I've never had a problem with Specsavers, some of the staff have been there a long time but they are all helpful.

Only today they replaced an arm (ha, not my own!) which had snapped. Think this may have been the third time over several years. They do that for free, plus several broken glass cases. I can't fault them but it depends on the franchisee.

Willihe

Where do you find a local optician that will supply varifocals for £60??? Might be worth me travelling for that. I get quoted £360 to £400 - this is not for a complex/ high strength prescription, but a good quality lens with wide intermediate and near vision. (e.g. Zeiss).
Trying to avoid Essilor lenses despite all the opticians locally trying to sell them due to their global domination of lenses and frames market. Any ideas for where to get good quality but fairly priced lenses and frames?

James_N

I've not been able to fault my local Specsavers over several years of going there, including an emergency appointment provided inside an hour. Nothing like a conveyer belt and no pressure to spend more than necessary. Faultless service from reception to optician.
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