To ask if you wear them how much your last pair of spectacles cost

[JaceLancs]

I have worn glasses since I was 7, then contact lenses from 18 up until my 40s when I developed dry eyes and other problems which meant I had to give them up
Now at 51 am having to consider varifocals
I have quite a strong prescription so usually have the lenses made thinner, prefer rimless styles and due to allergies have to have either titanium or stainless steel frames
My current pair are also transitions as I found that cheaper last time than buying a second pair even with the offers around
I've tried 3 local independents along with vision express and specsavers
Cheapest quote I've had was around £400 dearest £600+
That was not for custom varifocals but not for the very basic ones either

[SmellySourdough]

250
125 frames
100 glasses
25 eye test

[TimeToMuskUp]

My recentest (is that a word?) pair were £250 because I wanted pretty frames. My prescription is a fairly weak one, though, so it'll be more costly as I age.

I think I'd cry and have a little tantrum if I had to fork out £600 for glasses, especially since the DCs often sit on my handbag and snap my frames.

[coffeeinaredmug]

I ordered a new pair of varifocals on Saturday. They cost about £350. The frames were £150 and the lenses with coatings cost the remainder. There were cheaper frames but i chose the ones i liked best.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

About £400. I've made them last a very long time.

[coffeeinaredmug]

Normal lenses are much cheaper than varifocal. And you need to make sure you choose frames that are deep enough as really narrow ones are no use.

[Woobeedoo]

A friend of mine got their varifocals from Asda for about £40 and absolutely loves them. I recently bought my regular prescription specs from speckyfoureyes.com for £19 including anti-reflective anti-scratch glazes as there was a discount code on Martins Money Hints. They do varifocals too but not sure of the cost.

[LaurieFairyCake]

I buy mine from glasses direct - got a cheap pair about 8 years ago (as I wear contacts most days) for £30. I splashed out at Christmas on their boutique designer range Jimmy Choo ones for £98 - they are extremely high quality, really lovely glasses. I can't remember what package I went for with lenses but probably the £12 scratch resistant bronze package.

As far as I'm aware they do complex prescriptions - really good service, had mine in 4 days.

They do lots of deals on the cheaper ranges, buy one get one free or discounted - my designer range didn't have discounts and were one of the most expensive - so cheap though.

[AlpacaLypse]

Bloody hell! I'm 51 too and am waiting for my new specs from Specsavers.

Rather than varifocals I've gone for two pairs, one for reading one for driving. I did this last time round too, the readers are actually still absolutely fine and I'm wearing them right now. But this way I'll have a pair to sit by my PC and a pair for by my bed.

I'm having the driving glasses thinned but not bothering with the reading ones.

Disclaimer, I am entitled to an NHS voucher so have saved a bit. Nevertheless I think the two together bought full price would still be in £300 range.

[VoldysGoneMouldy]

Two pairs for £40 from glasses direct. They're lovely!

[Floisme]

Around £400-£500, including the frames. Like you I have a strong prescription and varifocals.

I could get cheaper frames but I wear my specs every waking moment and I'm very vain so I pay as much as I can afford.

[RoosterCogburn]

About £400 - have very strong prescription so pay extra for the lenses to be thinned, I also have prism lenses to correct astigmatism so I think they add to the cost.

[lalalalyra]

Mine were £14 delivered from goggles4u. I break and lose my specs with ridiculous regularity so I refuse to pay for expensive ones.

I don't know if they do varifocals or transitions, but I have sunglasses from them as well and they didn't cost any more. My last order I got was £60 and that was for 3 normal specs and 2 sunglasses as they had a special offer on one of the frames. It takes 4/5 weeks sometimes to come.

[CMOTDibbler]

Two pairs for £99 at Asda - one pair sunglasses, one pair varifocals, both with high index lenses, prisms, myopic and astigmatism. I've been delighted with them.

[DraenorQueen]

About £350. I foolishly told the woman the lowest and highest amounts I was hoping to pay and she steered me over to Michael Kors. [cross]
I do love them though and they'll hopefully last five years or so.

[bimbobaggins]

My last ones were £40 from asda opticians. Almost identical to the ck ones i paid 200 for two years ago. Much friendlier service too

[elQuintoConyo]

I got new goggles 18 months ago, they were £150 all-in. I have 1.25 in left eye, 4.5 in right. They'reGucci frames, not that I give a stuff because they're all designer specs these days.

DH got Police ones around the same time (he is 9 in each eye, had lenses ground down smaller, has non reflective lenses, cost double mine, maybe £350), has had to have both arms replaced twice cos they're rubbish quality.

[JemimaMuddledUp]

My reading glasses were £85

[Boltonlass1972]

20 quid from the party eyes range at Tesco. Lovely frames. People are always commenting on how they suit me.

[KaraokeQueenOfTheNorth]

My most recent were £25 from Specsavers.

[SuburbanRhonda]

Your eye history is very similar to mine, OP.

I had my eyes tested last week. I wear a strong prescription complex lens most of the time and have been quoted for "occupational" lenses for reading and computer work. Both lenses are by Zeiss and are 1.74 ultra thin high index.

Total cost of both sets of lenses: £620.
Total cost of two pairs of glasses: £1018

[bertiebow]

About £450. The lenses alone were about £280 (strong prescription so they have to be thinned to the max + astigmatism). I wear them all the time so wanted frames that really suit me. I will keep the frames until they fall apart and just replace the lenses when necessary.

[chelsbells]

I'm sure mine were about £400 pound, expensive frame to start with then once they'd been thinned and all the rest of it it came out at about £400.

I don't plan on replacing them anytime soon, got them about 4 years ago - contact lens wearer so only really use them for watching tv in the evening or traveling in the car for long periods of time!

Glasses are expensive but no-one wants bottle lid lens' so we have to pay the price!

[Savagebeauty]

£450 for varifocals from optometrist.

[TurnOffTheTv]

I've worked in optics for years and 4-600 is pretty standard for your requirements. You've picked all the most expensive elements of frames and lenses unfortunately.
Rimless
Titanium
Varifocals
High index
Photochromic

They are never going to be super cheap wherever you go!

[murmuration]

Oh, crap! I think I'm going to need some kind of varifocal something or other next time.

Last cost ~£300 - and I used a deal where I got one level of thinning for free (all I did), which was about £150 savings.