A question about the cost of glasses

[doglikescheeseontoast]

Can I ask what people expect to pay for glasses these days? Today I chose a pair of frames that cost just under £150 - I needed them to have verifiocal lenses (as per a previous prescription), and I was heavily 'encouraged' to have a driving tint to them as well. What would anyone expect to pay for the above?

[SierraFerrara]

I hate anything with visible logos so that tends to restrict me to the cheaper ranges so maybe £60ish for two pairs on offer with basic lenses. Husband gets super cheap ones online and they ALWAYS suit him. He recently got tinted glasses and prescription sunglasses for £20. Grr.

[Floralnomad]

I have thick lenses so need to pay for thinning and I like the free form lightweight frames from Specsavers . I think my last lot were about £300 but that was BOGOF .

[Bejazzled]

Don't know if this is any use - but if you go to the Costco optometrist all the 'extras' are included in the price, thinning, anti glare etc. I got my varifocals there and was about £250 all in

[doglikescheeseontoast]

Thank you all, because you have confirmed that I may have just paid hugely over the odds for ONE pair - £550, so the varifocal lenses with a 'driving tint', have added £400 to the cost of the frames.

[PurpleDaisies]

Wow, that seems very expensive. Where are they from?

[ownedbySWD]

I order my glasses online with Zenni Optical, and have done for years. Some frames cost less than £20.

[Bobbins43]

Under £100 for two pairs. I go to Specsavers.

[ZaraW]

I get mine from Cubbitts around 150 pounds including simple prescription.

[TooStressyForMyOwnGood]

Depends on your prescription. I’m fairly short sighted and wouldn’t expect to get out of Specsavers for much less than £150. That’s a minumum though, I expect to pair far more than that for lighter frames so more like £250 at least.

I would expect to pay far more (£350 plus) in an independent opticians and about £300 in Boots.

Which is why I am waking around with glasses that are 4 years old (prescription correct!) - it is so expensive to replace.

[RaindropsAndSparkles]

I'm 7.5 diopter in each eye, astigmatism and critical. This year I went to a well known upmarket chain and chose Ted Baker frames. Total cost £830. Glasses came and there had been an error v wonky vision. They then messed me about and I got a refund.

Went to my old optician and chose slightly more expensive frames. Overall cost was £670. Perfect.

With a complex prescription I don't think it comes in much cheaper to be honest. Friends have done it for less from Specsavers but complain about getting used to the critical and not liking them.

I wear my glasses every day. They adorn my face. I deserve to have nice ones. My sight is important too so not something I stint on.

[RaindropsAndSparkles]

Varifocals corrected to critical.

[doglikescheeseontoast]

They are from a small, local practice, part of a chain but only really local to this area. I was told £150 for the frames, then £390. I thought £390 was for the whole lot, I had a bit of an 'ouch' moment, but thought maybe that is what glasses cost these days. Then it became clear that the £390 was on top of the £150, plus then the cost of the eye test, so actually over £550. I only went in to get some glasses I can drive in at night. Hey ho, won't make that mistake again.

[safariboot]

IIRC you've got the cost of the frame, and then 'premium' lenses might add up to £100 or so depending on what you get? Not sure about varifocals.

I think I paid about £30 for my current pair, to replace a pair I'd bought only a couple of weeks before and promptly lost. Cheapest frames, no fancy coatings or nothing, and they've been fine for driving

[AlternativeTentacle]

G;asses direct. Two pairs, one as sunglasses for around £80. Bloody marvellous.

[bingohandjob]

I've paid up to £200 for pair of Boss Orange ones (that were on offer) I put on and fell in love with and think really suit me but I've also just had two pairs from SpeckyFourEyes, £27 for the two pairs, which I equally love. I think I'd think carefully about spending a lot now but I do have a very basic prescription.

[NameChanger22]

Primark have really good reading glasses for £2. I got a pair in the sale for 50p. Just saying.

[PurpleDaisies]

namechanger standard reading glasses like those in primark are totally different to actual prescription glasses.

[Memememeandyou]

Varifocal lenses are expensive. I think paid 200 without a tint. Frames on top. I always choose cheap frames. When I only had reading glasses I used glasses direct but I’m not sure I’d order varifocal lenses from them.

[NameChanger22]

What is the difference? I can see really well with them.

[Memememeandyou]

Difference between what?

[DorothyGherkins]

Can you cancel your order or take them back for a refund? I think I would at that price! Varifocal wearer here, two pairs from Specsavers for around £200, that was with the tint for driving. Last three prescriptions have been with Specsavers and I ve always been one hundred percent pleased with them. I ve heard opticians say to take them back if you re not happy with them - I wouldn't be happy at that price!

[Kahlua4me]

A lot depends on your prescription too. I am -9 and my lenses alone are over £500!

[TollgateDebs]

Very short-sighted, smart varifocals, high index to significantly reduce weight, coating and frames that suit, bought on-line, for less than £200. I sent old glasses so they could check the various distances stc., and am very happy. High Street opticians seems to think they can charge silly money for glasses and too often I have had to return as they got the finished article wrong! Also use labs to have prescription swimming goggles and sunglasses made and again they are cheaper than Boots etc.

[RaindropsAndSparkles]

Exactly Kahlua. I have Tiffany Frames . Varifocals, thinned lenses, etc. My sunglasses for driving were £200 without varifocals or much thinning.