To be pissed off I never get decent reading glasses.

Swap to a local independant if you can. I never got decent glasses from chains, but I've had great service from independants and always like the new glasses I get there.

I'm deaf so they take the time to do my exams manually instead of using the machine (I can't lip-read instructions with it blocking her face). And when my late OH smashed his reading glasses falling face first into a table, they repaired the frames for free despite him not even being their customer.

I know this isn’t what you asked but have you tried contacts? I’ve never really got on with glasses. They really annoy me on my face and I hate seeing them out of my peripheral vision. I switched to monovision contacts during covid when we had to wear masks to work and my glasses steamed up. One eye is my reading and the other has a tiny prescription for distance. You get used to them very quickly. I’m hoping I never need to wear glasses!

Do a bit of research and go to a local Independent one rather than a chain. I changed from an to an Independent one from SS a number of years ago and it was the best thing that I ever did. I see the same person everytime and the first time I went to her she told me things about my eyes that ss never did. It allowed me make more informed choices regarding lens etc.

I’d keep going back until I was happy with vision and fit.

that said - I wear Specsavers vari’s and I blooming love them. Put them in first thing in morning - take off at bedtime and perfect vision all day no matter what I’m doing.

worth every penny for me.

Mine are not even varifocals, and they still cant get it right.
I have been back twice with reading glasses....I can read fine with them, but the right lens distorts straight lines, so if I am crafting, which I do a lot, I can nevr cut a straight line when I am wearing them....I am resorting to wearing 10 year old glasses, which is ridiculous.
First time I took them back they said 'Bear with it', second time they altered the way they sit on my nose....third time they will adress the fact that the boody lenses are just not suitable for my eyes.

i would suggest going to an eye clinic optometrist. I have a convergent squint and it’s taken a bit of a trial and error for me to find glasses that don’t give me a headache / motion sickness feeling but we have managed it. I’ve found that if you have a prescription that is too strong for the distance you’re looking it can make things worse (e.g. I can’t wear my long distance glasses to look close up)

I’ve been shortsighted since I was a child and have had varifocals from Specsavers for the last few years. Despite mentioning issues seeing my monitors they don’t seem to take account of that in the test or prescription.

My work provides a voucher towards VDU glasses so I ended up at a different optician who did a very through assessment. Like PPs I swap between depending what I’m doing.

This is my experience too - its varifocals with the adjustment for what they have deemed I need for rmiddle distance. I just want glasses where I can read a book or device when I look down but when I look up I can see the road/tv as normal un ‘corrected. My long distance vision is fine but they’ve done something for middle distance that I don’t need. Two different opticians have done the same. I’ve given up. Have small cheap reading glasses from amazon that I perch on my nose to read, but can ‘see over’ the rims to watch tv or drive.

I told Specsavers I specifically wanted glasses for using a screen and what I got was reading glasses. I complained as I couldn’t work while wearing them and they redid them.

i was furious as they had simply ignored what I’d asked for originally. So do go back and complain- glasses are not cheap.

This. I use different strength ones for reading and computer work and also find when my distance sight worsens I need to change my reading glasses strength until I get my new contact lens. I have a selection and just change them until I find the ones that work for what I am doing.

Try a independent or scrivens first. They're better than specsavers ime. Specsavers told me my vision was fine and it wasn't.

Independent prescribed prisms and a small +0.5 each side and my headaches have gone.

Check out your local independents. Specsavers are crap! I’ve always used a lovely little independent opticians and never had problems, my best friend used specsavers and boots and was never happy with her glasses so I suggested she visits mine and she’s been over the moon. They most likely a little bit more expensive and you don’t get 2 frames for the price of 1 or any of those offers but a much more personal service.

I use 2 monitors and can’t use my varifocals for them, my work is excel intensive hence the separate VDU glasses.

I have had success with what Vision Express call 'office glasses'. Allow me to read, use monitor and see clearly for a few metres. Beyond that they are still effective enough that I forget which glasses I am wearing and wander around with them. I have varifocals now for general wear but still prefer office glasses for work.

Just go to Poundland and get a few pairs for a couple of quid each. You’ll know which ones are right when you can read through them!

The only thing that works for me is to wear my cheap Poundland readers Over my glasses (on top). Looks ridiculous but it works!

Specsavers offer a money back/change your mind guarantee. My daughter bought glasses, kept them for a week then decided the frames were too heavy, took them back with her receipt and got a refund, no hassle. Take them back.

My glasses from an independent optician are also rubbish. Expensive rubbish. The first pair of varifocals were ok after several visits, standing my ground and having the lenses remade. The new pair (optimism over experience…) are hopeless and I’ve gone back to the originals, even though apparently my prescription has changed. I’ll be trying a supermarket next time. At least they’ll be cheaper.

Op, if they are wonky, take them back. They can heat the arms and centre of the glasses to make them fit

I even have to have my Ray-bans adjusted or they hurt one ear. Vision express will always adjust glasses. And they keep going until they are perfect.

All my glasses have a right arm that sits a cm off the table if I rest them down on a desk. Because my right ear is higher than my left and has a ridge on it.

I got mine at boots and couldn’t get used to them plus they were too tight. I told the guy these are tight he said oh they look fine to me. They weren’t they were so tight they hurt.
B&M cheapies work for me I find them great.

I went to an independent optician for many years and never had a problem with prescribed glasses. Then we moved so had to find someone new. Have tried several branches of Specsavers, Boots and two independents. One of the independents was good, but the prices were very high.

l had cataracts removed and so the prescription is very different. I still can’t find anyone who gets it right.

You need pair for VDU or a decent braded occupational varifocal might help.

Sounds like you need varifocals.
But I don’t think specsavers are that great. The last time I went in there my reading glasses were getting too weak, the gave me a prescription I knew would be too weak she said it was for looking the a screen but that wasn’t my isssue it was reading and seeing my phone. I didn’t get the prescription and went to b&m and tried on the reading glasses on the rack and chose ones that I could see best with. I’ve done that ever since. I don’t really have a problem with long distance

I have two pairs of varifocals. One pair is for non screen work/every day stuff and the other specifically for screens although I frequently do forget to swap. The screen ones have a bigger “closeup” section of the lens. I can see the screens properly, my phone screen underneath as I discovered today but the focus further across the office is not so sharp. But I was asked about this by the optician first - I don’t need to see that clearly across the office, it’s good enough, the main focus is the multiple screens on the desk.

No your reading distance and VDU distance are different requirements. The monitors will be too far away for reading glasses.

If you are employed and do lots of VDU work then work should be paying for your eye test and some VDU specific glasses.