The Mental Debt Struggle...

Cherryfudge

That's a lot to take on all at once, and costly, too. I think it's worth knowing about any eye condition though, so they can do as much as possible to help. I had one of those extra £10 screenings which revealed a new problem some years ago, as a result of which I spent a while seeing a consultant and am permanently on aspirin, but I'm much safer for being in the know.

I seem to remember hearing that sight is at its most stable in our thirties and forties, but I don't know how true that is in general. It was true of me and I now get that bit of improvement that is an indicator I'm getting older! I have varifocals and I really like them, but I don't need them for close work now, and what used to be my reading glasses are now used for computer work at the advice of the optometrist. If you spend a lot of time in front of a screen, you might find having glasses at that focal length would be more use, but then you can end up with three pairs of glasses, which are even more difficult to keep hold of than two!

I'm not one for bold glasses either: my varifocals are lovely rimless ones but they disappear as soon as I put them down. I wish there was a phone app for finding glasses.

KajiKita

I may be wrong but I think using your prescription to buy glasses online is a lot cheaper (may be challenging with varifocals?). I do know that the markup on high street opticians is shockingly high! Would be worth asking around a bit more. 

KK

Chrystal

KajiKita said:

I may be wrong but I think using your prescription to buy glasses online is a lot cheaper (may be challenging with varifocals?). I do know that the markup on high street opticians is shockingly high! Would be worth asking around a bit more. 

KK

I was thinking exactly the same thing,   Well worth looking into. XX

LittleMissDetermined

I have done LOTS of research on buying glasses online and have had my old frames re-glazed for not very much money at all.  I also keep all of my old frames for this purpose, in case my daily pair or my spare pare get lost or damaged. 

There are lots of online places, both my husband and I have used them in the past and it makes you realise the eye-watering mark ups the opticians have on the glasses!

Happy to DM you the one I use if you like? 
LMD x

LittleMissDetermined

Just a quick check and the one I use will do varifocal lenses in your existing frames from £50, plus free postage and money back guarantee... The website is here

Keedie

Wait... you can buy glasses online with just a prescription? I'm so clueless about these things @KajiKita
and @Chrystal. I'm a creature of habit and have just been going to Specsavers for around 20 years, that it has never occurred to me try and think of an alternative way to do things... 🤔. But yes, thank you all. I need to go back to Specsavers and get a copy of my actual prescription as all I have is a receipt for the £10 eye test upgrade.

I'll check out the link you gave @LittleMissDetermined. I do have a pair of frames that are just sitting there collecting dust from prescriptions of the past so that will come in handy. I feel like a whole new world has opened up for me. Wow, I really love this forum. It's so insightful and supportive. You've all saved me a lot of money and I can keep my emergency fund and raid the sinking funds instead. Yippee!

And yes, I agree @Cherryfudge, it's definitely worth catching any issues with the eyes sooner rather than later. I was just feeling sorry for myself as I'm bored or acquiring new ailments. But I'm glad that yours was noticed early enough to give you the medical support that you needed.

beanielou

To be honest varifocals are expensive. I think they are worth every penny. 

LittleMissDetermined

They should be able to email you a copy of your prescription @Keedie, or pop one in the post to you, it's worth calling to see if you can save yourself the trouble of a trek out.

Keedie

I'm glad that varifocals are getting such a ringing endorsement. I get too easily confused with multiple glasses, so it definitely sounds like the way to go, but not at £240. I can do so much more with that money. But from everyone has said and what I found on YouTube, varifocals do seem to be worth the money @beanielou.

You're a fountain of wisdom today @LittleMissDetermined. Why I never thought of getting them emailed I dunno, but it makes more sense than trekking down there when I've no need to go in that direction. Thanks.

Makingabobor2

Varifocals are great, been wearing them for years, but this year I have also got a pair of computer glasses as well, as I was struggling to focus on the screen so well.  TBH, that is a very good price as well. I paid over £1300 for varifocals, computer glasses ( just cheap ones), and prescription sunglasses. I have been going to the same optician for over 30years and won't ever go anywhere else.