Spec savers and varifocals

kelly78

I’ve had varifocals for 4 years had a new test 2 years ago and had another pair of varifocals spend £475 but didnt get on with them blurry and had to lift the glasses up to read after going back and fore for a while said nothing they could do as 100 days had passed. Fast forward 2 years decide to have another go with them explained what happened and they done me a deal on lenses and changed them around to be higher cost £225. I’ve had them a month and still not getting on with them. Went back and they said don’t know why you’re not getting on with them and gave me a refund. I’m stuck has anyone had this happen to them? I’ve booked in with an independent optician now. Just wondering if an MSE people had the same problem?

born_again

If you had to lift the glasses up to read, then something is wrong in either the fitting of the frames or when they took the measurements for the lenses. 

XzavierWalnut

Went to Specsavers once a few years ago with a work free deal.
Took my glasses back after 2 weeks.
IMHO they were useless.
Would never go back.

Brie

My issue with Specsavers is that you are not getting your glasses fitted by a trained optician.  As far as I can tell they are optician assistants or something.  So given the prices it's best at times to go where there's a properly trained person fitting your glasses. 

Generally I've had a better result from a trained optician but have had mistakes made too.  Had one company a few years back that declared that it was my fault that the glasses weren't useable.  Took them to my previous optometrist and got them to have a look at my prescription and the glasses I was given and they said they had been made completely wrong.  With that reassurance I took the glasses back and told them I knew they were wrong and demanded a refund.  The properly trained independent shop was very slightly more expensive but they got things right.

AND if you go to Specsavers they will sell you on the buy 1 get 1 free.  What they don't mention easily is that if you don't want the second pair the first pair is cheaper than what the quote originally.  So much for the second being free!!

New_in_the_fens

I’ve used Specsavers for many years and moved over to varifocals about 6-7 years ago. I’ve never had any issues with them. 

On the other hand, my mother in law has had no end of glasses from pretty much every franchise and independent optician she’s can find - and still isn’t happy with any of them. I find it hard to believe every optician she’s been to can’t do the job, so suspect it’s her - maybe she just doesn’t have the eyes for them 🤷🏼‍♀️

Katiehound

Specsavers are only as good as the folk who work there! I know this may sound obvious but the 'company' is a franchise. Saying that I have never had a problem with then locally, in fact they have been excellent. (Only reading glasses 'though not varifocals)

Northern_Wanderer

kelly78 said:

I’ve had varifocals for 4 years had a new test 2 years ago and had another pair of varifocals spend £475 but didnt get on with them blurry and had to lift the glasses up to read after going back and fore for a while said nothing they could do as 100 days had passed. Fast forward 2 years decide to have another go with them explained what happened and they done me a deal on lenses and changed them around to be higher cost £225. I’ve had them a month and still not getting on with them. Went back and they said don’t know why you’re not getting on with them and gave me a refund. I’m stuck has anyone had this happen to them? I’ve booked in with an independent optician now. Just wondering if an MSE people had the same problem?

Usually these issues arise with either the prescription being incorrect or the dispensing being incorrect. With Varifocals they need to measure the hights properly so that the three different lense strenghts are in the correct position for you. When getting glasses dispensed, always make sure this is done by a trained "Dispensing Optician". Last time I was in Specsavers I was told that by law dispensers didn't have to be trained dispensing opticians as long as there was an optometrist or a dispensing optician present. If they don't know why you are not getting on with them them presumably they do not know the ins and outs of dispensing. I had a similar experience in Asda opticians with reading glasses (no height measurements taken, couldn't see with them without moving my head at an angle). I was also sold some occupationl lenses (2 different strengths per lense) at an independent optician I didn't get on with them at all so it isn't just Specsavers, or me for that matter, that are problematic. Mostly untrained dispensers I suspect is the problem.

Murphybear

I used Specsavers once.  Never again.  My varifocals were terrible and they weren’t very helpful.  We don’t have a Specsavers near us so it was a bit of a trek to get there.

We live in a small market town and there are 2 independent opticians.  I tried one and they were brilliant.  They took a lot of time and trouble to make sure my varifocals were properly fitted.  It normally takes a few days to get used to new ones but with these it only took 24 hours.

They were more expensive than Specsavers but they were worth it.  Fortunately as I am on Pension Credit I am eligible for financial help with the cost.  I was gobsmacked when I found I was getting £135 ish (don’t remember the exact amount) which made a big difference.

I always try and get the best I can afford.  I am wearing my specs virtually every waking moment apart from when I’m in the shower  so they need to be good.  

There’s a saying about buying very good quality beds and shoes because you’re either in one or the other.  I would add spectacles to the list.

silvermum

I’m currently having a problem with Specsavers varifocals. I got a new prescription last summer which were large modern style frames. I’ve had headaches and dizziness off and on over the last eight months, but because I’d been wearing varifocals for over five years didn’t think it was anything to do with my glasses. I’ve even been back-and-forth to my GP and had a referral to a neurologist for possible migraines. I only realised it might be something to do with my glasses when I wore my old prescription sunglasses and realised I wasn’t getting the same fuzzy and dizzy feeling. 

I’ve just been to an independent optician, who has basically said the frames Specsavers sold me are way too big for varifocals and what I’ve been experiencing is ongoing eye strain as my eyes keep trying to refocus and ignore the peripheral parts of the lens. 

Given it’s way beyond Specsavers 100 day return window I don’t know if it’s even worth going back to talk to them.