HOW much for varifocals??!!??

flaneurs_lobster

My town has a bricks'n'mortar store of spectacle sellers (are they opticians if they don't do eye exams/sight tests?) who take your prescription, you pick frames from their range, they take measurements and send you the completed specs in the post. You can go back for adjustments if needed.

Don't know if this type of operation is widespread (not sure what the description should be), my local one is a chain of 2. Useful alternative to full-fat ophthalmic opticians and the online-only sellers. 

Undervalued

flaneurs_lobster said:

My town has a bricks'n'mortar store of spectacle sellers (are they opticians if they don't do eye exams/sight tests?) who take your prescription, you pick frames from their range, they take measurements and send you the completed specs in the post. You can go back for adjustments if needed.

Don't know if this type of operation is widespread (not sure what the description should be), my local one is a chain of 2. Useful alternative to full-fat ophthalmic opticians and the online-only sellers. 

Often found on the outskirts of towns and small industrial estates / business parks!

Few high street independent opticians do their own manufacturing so ship the work out to such places and add a hefty mark-up. Many will deal direct if you have a prescription that is less than two years old.

luvchocolate

Had eye test at Boots, very poor selection of frames for a small face, I got one priced out of interest 
Varifocal   thinned lenses,  plus reactor lenses £450 
Went to my usual Asda branch..brilliant customer service and great choice of frames £150
They now have a slightly more expensive reactor lense suitable for driving 

Stoodles

Thanks again everyone. I'm going to try Asda