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Original poster

Specsavers or Vision Express or Boots?

24 replies

Curlygirl06 · 08/04/2021 19:59

I'm due an eye test soon. I've been using Specsavers for years but they've got very expensive. Through work I can get £40 off at Vision Express plus a free eye test.

I have varifocals and quite a high prescription (very short sighted). Does anyone have any thoughts on any of these opticians? Thanks.

OP posts:
EastWestWhosBest · 08/04/2021 20:03

I’ve worked for all three and for Dolland and Aitchison before Boots bought them.
I would say Vision Express, then Boots and Specsavers last.
It really varies store to store though. Some VE and all Specsavers are franchises, often this doesn’t matter but it’s worth noting.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 08/04/2021 20:03

Specsavers were useless for me. Basic stuff they are ok, but anything complicated they can’t manage.

Although they are franchises so I’m sure it varies.

FedUpAtHomeTroels · 08/04/2021 20:32

I just had my test at a small local opticians, they have about 4 offices. Call around. Mine was £33 for the test glasses cost a bomb. I have the prescription and will get some made up by Specsavers for spares..

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General health
Ktay · 08/04/2021 20:34

Vision Express have been great for me, a couple of years ago they caught a teeny corneal ulcer before it got too serious.

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 08/04/2021 20:35

I go to spec savers for the test then buy from glassesdirect online. You can order up to 4 pairs in a trial box to check you like the way they look and feel, then just order the ones you like best.

I got mine a couple of weeks ago, super thinned and transition lenses for just under £90 and they arrived 4 days after I ordered.

Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 08/04/2021 22:19

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo

I go to spec savers for the test then buy from glassesdirect online. You can order up to 4 pairs in a trial box to check you like the way they look and feel, then just order the ones you like best.

I got mine a couple of weeks ago, super thinned and transition lenses for just under £90 and they arrived 4 days after I ordered.

Thank you, I've been thinking about Glasses Direct as well. Have you got varifocals?
OP posts:
EastWestWhosBest · 08/04/2021 22:26

I really really wouldn’t recommend getting varifocals online. They need to be properly measured and fitted by people who know what they are doing.

Misty9 · 08/04/2021 22:39

I had always used boots but when dd needed glasses it was vision express that had the ones she wanted (we tried a LOT of shops!). I've just had her eye test there now, having previously been seen at the hospital, and was very happy with them.

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 09/04/2021 04:12

@Curlygirl06 I don't have varifocals, I have heard great things about Asda opticians for varifocals though, they have a set price for frames and lenses so if the glasses are £100, then that's it whether they're single vision, thin, super thin or varifocals.

Rockbird · 09/04/2021 05:43

I've tried them all and currently with Vision Express. Just had another eye test with them yesterday (in Tesco) and was very impressed, just as thorough as the main stores. And they have some lovely frames.

Also get glasses from Glasses Direct and their service is fab. Well priced and quick. Will be ordering more from them too.

Londonnight · 09/04/2021 05:56

Vision Express or Boots. My son recently bought glasses at Specsavers and they got the prescription completly wrong to the point he couldn't see out of them at all!

I always use Asda opticians for me, I have vari focals, and have never had a problem with them.

Horridcreature · 09/04/2021 06:09

I’ve used Boots and vision express for the test and for glasses. I have a complicated prescription as well they cost a fortune. I also used Asda for glasses once and they were really helpful and no problem with the glasses themselves.

Landlubber2019 · 09/04/2021 06:18

I have a complex prescription, I had a terrible experience with vision express previously. I use ASDA and have done for years, I need a thinned varificol lens and I can get these under £200 for 2 pairs whereas I had been paying over £500 for one pair at other opticians.

WetJan · 09/04/2021 06:18

I've just had a test and two new pairs at Asda and it was brilliant. Optician was lovely and the first one to actually talk through and explain the test and her decision making on the prescription. Lovely sales woman who spent ages helping me pick two frames (I'm very indecisive!), although Covid helps as you essentially get a private shopping experience Grin. £180 for two pairs and £19 for the test.

EastWestWhosBest · 09/04/2021 08:17

I do think though that a lot of it is down to individual staff.
I’ve known different opticians in the same company do tests very differently. Some take 30 minutes, some 5. We used to have a guy come in as a locum optom he tested people in under 10 minutes. People would complain, understandably. What they didn’t know was that he was a highly qualified eye surgeon from the hospital who just liked to do tests on his time off! A couple of times he picked up problems in that short time.

And the same is true or the dispenser who helps you. You might have someone you really click with and is highly experienced or you might get someone who has been there a week.

Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 09/04/2021 08:36

The nearest Asda opticians to me is miles away unfortunately. What are Boots prices like? Thank you.

OP posts:
3Britnee · 09/04/2021 08:40

I reported specsavers to their ombudsman.

I'd go with Boots.

Sirzy · 09/04/2021 08:45

I think it must vary from branch to branch. Vision express where awful when I used them.

Specsavers have always been great including for DS and DN who both have complex prescriptions

Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 10/04/2021 11:14

I've booked for Boots this afternoon, I'll report back.

OP posts:
Jarstastic · 10/04/2021 12:20

I’d go for a independent optician.

honestguy · 06/01/2023 15:01

Interested in complete wellbeing (mind, body, emotion)

honestguy · 06/01/2023 15:12

What do independent Opticians normally charge? Never been to one, but I am keen to know as the high street opticians have disappointed me since I am heading over from normal distance glasses to a bit of both.

I have tried the following with hundreds of £ spent over 2-3 years,

  1. Specsavers MK (6 visits in 2021) progressive glasses recommended of various prices none helped. (had to get refund of about £300
  2. Progressive glasses ( un-usable, dispensing issue)( un-usable, dispensing issue they wouldn't admit)
  3. Boots Opticians ( 2 visits ) ended up with two pairs £200 + Fuel cost etc
  4. one progressive (gave headaches)
  5. second pair normal distance ( going out of focus for laptop use)
  6. Costco Kingston MK 3 to 4 visits
  7. One pair of distance ( un-usable, dispensing issue they wouldn't admit)
  8. Specsavers MK (6 visits in 2022) spent about £200 + Fuel cost (leaves from work as Fridays was mostly available at lunch time)
  9. Focus on Peripheral glasses for desk work got two glasses (they give me constant headaches after 30 minutes of use)

Need to figure out if Vision Express or Independent Optician would solve my problem.

GenghisCalm · 06/01/2023 15:17

I went to ASDA Opticians and got 2 pairs varifocal glasses for £145.

There is no difference between them and the SpecSavers glasses that cost over twice as much.

YorkieTheRabbit · 06/01/2023 15:42

I went to my local opticians a few months ago. Eye test, one pair of reading glasses and one for distance, big standard lenses, £470 for them. There were no prices on the frames and no names on the stands that the frames were on so I’d no idea what make they were.
The optician had told the assistant to show me sunglasses as well but I told her as it was October, I wasn’t going bother yet.
I will definitely look online for prescription sunglasses.

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