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Original poster

Children online prescription glasses - cheap uk

16 replies

Ilovechoc12 · 27/12/2020 10:45

Hello,

I have a private prescription for child’s glasses (so no nhs voucher) as we have been doing the whole patching one eye thing.

Has anyone bought any children’s glasses online - please which company ?

She is 6 and last time I went to Specsavers horrible service and £70 later to get some crap fitting glasses.

Now the prescription has changed and what to buy a pair of children glasses that doesn’t come from China (sorry takes too long to get here) online. Does anyone recommend any company ?

It’s only plus one the prescription in both eyes.

Thank you x

OP posts:

Headunderthecovers · 27/12/2020 11:07

It's actually illegal to sell children's glasses online.
That is because if the fitting of the glasses is incorrect or the prescription not made up correctly (this can be it isn't made up by the lab to the numbers on the prescription or it isn't centred to the eye also giving a prismatic effect- moving the eyes) there is potential for permanent harm that isn't there for adults.

There are so many opticians (including lots of great independent ones) I'm sure you will be able to find one that is a good price and fits them well. The issue is the lack of the NHS voucher bumping up the cost, but if you paid privately this would already be expensive anyway .

If the glasses don't fit (and they should as they have to be checked by law by a qualified dispensing optician or optometrist) then complain. Spec savers would definitely have remade them in a different frame.
The system isn't infallible and depends on the skill and stock of the individual opticians. Spec savers have a large selection of frames, but work on high volume and service can be variable.

There's so many different options for opticians though,that you just need to get a recommendation /look online for a good one.

Became of the pandemic most require an appointment for choosing at the moment to limit the number of people in the practice at one time.

Headunderthecovers · 27/12/2020 11:17

The legality is in UK law by the way.
Don't buy from China- UK law is there to protect from harm in this case.

Your daughter at 6 is still in the plastic period of growth and will need her glasses adjusted to fit and ongoing.

Loads of great children's glasses- get her a pair she loves (unlike her last pair).

LittleRa · 27/12/2020 11:20

£70 from spec savers really?! Sorry I don’t know what you mean about no NHS voucher and getting a private prescription and patching- do you mean that the NHS don’t think there’s a problem? My 6yo DD has an NHS prescription and has been patching for around 18 months now- check ups and patches on the NHS, glasses from local independent opticians. I pay around £15 for the frames, she’s had 2 pairs since first getting them around 2 years ago. As PP have said, the bendy plastic type!

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Original poster

Ilovechoc12 · 27/12/2020 11:46

It’s an eye test with a private person - then you have to pay for glasses which is fine. Saves the hassle factor.

Yes a pair of nhs glasses from Specsavers was £70 for one pair of kids glasses and they are beyond crap far too small lenses and never fit on the face. I was just so glad to get a pair of glasses and get out of that shop - never to return !!!

If you get a nhs eye test you get free kids glasses - but we have decided with Covid and hassle factor to go private to sort out the eye ! Which is improving so I’m happy :-)))))

Ok I’ll go to an independent - I never knew it was illegal !!! thank you for everyone’s comments x

OP posts:

AuditAngel · 27/12/2020 11:47

Why no NHS voucher? DD1 is 13 and her glasses cost me £33. That was because we chose upgraded frames, in fact the coatings dropped the overall cost by £2!

Ffsffsffsffsffs · 27/12/2020 11:53

My kids have never been anywhere But Specsavers for their sight tests/glasses - I've worn glasses for 40 years and have tried most nationals/local independents, Specsavers have always been OK.

If you weren't happy with the frames/size, choose a different pair - nothing to do with Specsavers, most opticians have dozens of kids frames to choose from. Specsavers is cheap and cheerful, but having had the full family tested and re-spectacled during lockdown, I have no complaints/concerns about covid-safety

LittleRa · 27/12/2020 11:58

@Ilovechoc12

It’s an eye test with a private person - then you have to pay for glasses which is fine. Saves the hassle factor.

If you get a nhs eye test you get free kids glasses - but we have decided with Covid and hassle factor to go private to sort out the eye ! Which is improving so I’m happy :-)))))

Ok I’ll go to an independent - I never knew it was illegal !!! thank you for everyone’s comments x

During Covid my DD has been for one check up at the hospital (has these six-monthly) and two check ups at the local clinic (has these 2-monthly). The departments were quiet and we wore masks, the staff wore masks, visors and aprons.

JingleCatJingle · 27/12/2020 12:08

We’ve used Specsavers for a decade with no problems for my children. Great service and our glasses were always free with the NHS voucher.

Norah8 · 27/12/2020 12:10

Eye specialist here... Im v surprised anyone prescribed such a tiny prescription. Absolutely no need for it.

Norah8 · 27/12/2020 12:11

Only reason anyone would prescribe that low would be to get the NHS fee.
Please get another opinion

Norah8 · 27/12/2020 12:25

Sorry I came across abrupt... Just make some angry people taking advantage to make money. I hate it
+1 is within normal limits and won't do didly squit to improve anything.

underneaththeash · 27/12/2020 12:41

@Norah8 it may do.
If the child has a esophoria and an abnormally high AC/A ratio. There may be a prism in the glasses or there may be a accommodative disorder.

OP - if the glasses are crap and don't fit, take them back and get a refund.

Starisnotanumber · 27/12/2020 12:51

Have you tried asda opticians.
Free with nhs voucher covid secure was open during lockdown for emergencies good choice of frames. Wouldn't you have to visit actual premises to get them fitted properly.

zigaziga · 27/12/2020 12:52

We’ve paid hundreds, even with the voucher. Worth every penny though for decent glasses from an independent opticians.

We used Specsavers at the start and got cheap glasses and really regret it. They put no effort into fitting and the glasses we were told were the smallest they had were huge. We didn’t even realise that at the time but only on further research and visiting independent opticians that actually stocked good children’s brands and sized correctly.

Obviously I understand not everyone can spend a lot of money on glasses but of all the areas to scrimp and save on this is NOT one. Particularly if you’re happy to pay for a private prescription.

Flowersblue · 27/12/2020 12:57

What’s the difference between an nhs prescription and private?

inappropriateraspberry · 27/12/2020 13:23

Specsavers are a franchise apparently, so it's worth shopping around. When my daughter had her last check at the hospital they asked what opticians and which branch as some are better than others.
I don't know why you'd think private is any different to NHS, you're just paying more! All these places are COVID secure etc. We've had great service with the NHS at hospital and with our local branch of Specsavers. They were really good at getting the right size frames etc as she has a small head like me!

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