glasses disaster: help me find nice ones?

[SayItIsntSo]

Well, about 6 years ago I found my ideal glasses. I wear lenses sometimes but most of the time due to sleep deprivation etc I wear glasses.

Today it appears that the glasses frame has snapped (don't know how though! ) and the right lens popped out onto the tiled kitchen floor, breaking into many pieces. I have a high prescription (short sighted) and I need quite small glasses so that the lenses aren't too thick (even if I pay for the super special thin lenses). The now-ex-glasses were small dark green prada ones (the only prada I am ever likely to own). I need to replace them: the frame has somehow snapped over the top. Have any of you found some good ones and have tips as to how to get a good deal? Eg should I buy online?

[SayItIsntSo]

ooh were the lenses pricey or good? I am going to get magical thin ones or the weight will break my nose :)

[MrsKitty]

I have these, and love them! About half the price on that website from what I paid for them at vision express so I would suggest your best bet for cheaper would be to buy online.

[SayItIsntSo]

ooh lovely mrskitty: the dark green version look like my broken glasses

[VivaLeBeaver]

Spec savers. You can get nice ones from £85-£125. When they're having a two for one offer my local one will do free thin lenses for me in lieu of the free pair of glasses.

[MrsKitty]

I've got the green - they really are lovely .

[OldBride]

It's a nightmare - poor you. I am also very short sighted and my last specs cost £500, with ultra thin lenses. If you are lucky enough to be >8.5 you can use Glasses Direct . I can't buy proper specs from them as I am >11.5, but I have bought reading glasses and over lenses glasses and their service and prices are excellent. You can pick out up to 4 frames to play with at home, paying only £5.00, which you get back when you order. You need a proper prescription, including your pupil distance. It's often a hassle to extract this from your optician, but it is worth it for the savings you make, and for the choice available.

[SayItIsntSo]

Thanks Viva and MrsKitty. OldBride, it is a long time since I was checked but I am around the -8 mark, so I might be able to order. I'm going to use the disaster to force myself to make time to have an eyetest!

[SayItIsntSo]

Oh, that IS good! I hope that the price for super thin lenses doesn't go up suddenly (this happened the last time when I got my lovely glasses: I thought "ooh that's a good price" and then when high prescription super thin lenses were added to the mix, the price went North. I shall investigate this week. Am currently managing with some very scratched old glasses of mine, which are freaking the DCs out somewhat.

[piratecaaaaaaaaaghhht]

i have little face, had to buy youths glasses. i have bench ones from tesco £65. half of the glass had metal on it and they are so light and comfy. will see if i can link

[ASuitableGirl]

My prescription is about -11 I think. I would say that the price will go up (a lot probably) when you get the super thin lenses :( Are they the first amount of thin or very thing (I forget what the numbers are but any I get need to be the first lot and second lot is better).

I have some from Specsavers and was also able to get them thinned rather than having an extra pair so it ended up not too painful.

You really must have a sight test though - you should have one at least every two years

[Fuzzled]

I'll second Glasses Direct - great for cheap spare pairs and sunglasses.

[ASuitableGirl]

Do the online ones need a prescription within a certain date?

[discobeaver]

I just got two pairs of fab glasses from Specsavers, on their 2 for 1 deals, although I do have the B nhs voucher, for £150.

That was two pairs of frames from the £85 range, and the middle thin lenses (to go up to the ultra thin would have been another £30) my prescription is
-7

I thought they were great, really helpful.

I could have got the £125 frame range, 2 pairs for 180 ish pounds?

I was so happy because last time I got glasses, about 6 years ago, they cost about £300 quid so I was scared to go and get new ones!

[discobeaver]

They also offered me my prescription if I wanted to go somewhere else, no probs.

[ASuitableGirl]

All opticians have to give you your prescription to go elsewhere I think.

[SayItIsntSo]

thanks everyone: I am certainly going to have a sight test (as much as I dislike them as I am never sure that I am making the right choices when asked questions!). I usually opt for the super thin lenses, I wonder if the price of those differs much between opticians?

Or having the lenses thinned instead of a second pair ASuitableGirl - was that what happened to you?

[discobeaver]

They do I think as well, but I didn't have to ask they just offered. Maybe they all do now?

[ASuitableGirl]

I think I had to pay a bit extra (can't quite remember as I also get an NHS voucher towards the cost and couldn't quite understand the calculations) but I definitely gained something by choosing to have only one pair than two.

And if any of that makes sense I will be impressed

[SayItIsntSo]

Thanks disco and ASG, I shall investigate and report back. I find staring at myself in different glasses quite depressing (similar to my usual post-hairdresser slump): extended mirror time = moody Say.

[carrielou2007]

I have just had this stress, have my contact lenses from Boots on dd which means you get 50% off any glasses. I can't just go and get two pairs from the 79 pounds range as I need the ultra light ultra thin lenses for my prescription (9.5 in one eye 14 in the other minus that is) so zeiss I think the lenses were. Got gorgous DKNY black and pink frames think they were just under 300 with the discount then got a ghost pair honey/beige/brown for a bit less a few weeks later. They did give me I think 60 pounds off the second pair too. Boots in Clifton Bristol, could not have been more helpful!!

[SayItIsntSo]

your glasses sound lovely carrielou, it's horrible how those of us with high prescriptions are lumbered with high costs. I'll check out Boots! I've spent the weekend squinting and having headaches so it will have to be early in the week.

[pastawine]

can i just say, i used to work in eyes....i would never ever buy specs from a mail order site for these reasons

you cannot try the frame on for fit
if you are a high prescription then its vital that the measurements are taken correctly - the dispensing optician should dot where your pupil sits in the frame and then depending on the angle may need to knock your heights down by a mm or two....
you are asking for trouble if you get a high prescription lens without measurements - if its out it can cause "prism" which cant affect muscle balance in the eyes - this can cause a pulling sensation and cause terrible discomfort and headaches.

really really dont do it!

[DioneTheDiabolist]

I am in the market for new specs. I went round all the opticians and tried their frames before settling on Boots. Really cool frames in their 2 for £79 range. I have an appointment booked with them tomorrow.

So my advice for you OP is go window shopping for frames in real shops (where you can try them on), then get ordering.