New varifocals - ok to get online?

[BigFatBloomers]

I need some new varifocal glasses. I bought a new pair of frames and sent them to Lensology for a quote.

I have two questions:

Is it ok to get varifocals online - correct fitting, etc?

What level of lense, coatings, etc, etc do you really need? The quote has come back more than I was expecting but they offer several levels of cheaper options.

I wouldn’t. Last time it took repeated appointments and a different kind of lens to get it right for me, and that was face to face

Ah, I didn’t have that problem face to face. I was a bit concerned when I saw that something is measured by holding a credit card to your forehead.

Any thoughts about different types of lenses or coatings. Is it like wine - go for the second cheapest?

No. I did this once and never again - the different parts of the lens just weren’t quite lined up correctly with my eyes. Nearly, but not quite, so that I had to hold my head at strange angles to see anything. Also the order was really slow, though obviously that might have just been bad luck.

I wouldn't, particularly varifocals. Used to work in an opticians and learnt very early with glasses, you get what you pay for. The better quality lenses are better lined up and are more graded between the two focal lengths.

My friend and my sister ways do and have no issues at all. Use a site where you can send them back if not right, what do you have to lose?

**always

I got some and they seem ok but I have never had glasses before so they could be shit and I wouldn't know...

I wouldn't.

I've had problems with properly fitted ones, so the chances are higher that online will be a hassle. My sons simple prescription using an online service wasn't great and they just washer their hands of it.

I used to work for an optician - so I know how to measure etc.
If you have a complex lens prescription then it’s best to go on the high street. I don’t and have bought single and varifocal lenses from
bother the high street and online. The online glasses were far superior and cheaper plus were quicker than the high street ones.
Always go for the best quality lens you can afford.
Asda and Tesco are currently getting good reviews for high street opticians.

I wouldn't do it. There are so many ways in which a particular brand or variation of variofocals won't be right for you.

If you go into an opticians they take a whole load of meaurements to try and make sure you get exactly the right pair AND they generally make it easy for you to come back and exchange if they aren't right.

On at least two occasions the first pair I received just didn't work for me and the optician just offered me a replacement at no extra cost. That is why it is more expensive at an actual optician -- because they have to cover the cost of getting it right.

Asda did my first varifocals.

It all seemed rather casual, chinagraph pencil on the lenses; 'look here, look there'; and I was sufficiently nervous about getting them I ordered a second set in my single vision script. Just in case!

The varifocals are absolutely fine. Completely happy.
Mumsnet recommended Asda opticians to be, and I will now recommend.

Very sensible prices.

Thanks all
Opinion seems divided but probably falls to not recommending it.
I think I am cautious about everything being in the right place, right distance doing it online but I should check their returns policy.

I’m still not sure what quality of lenses and number of different coating I should go for either. There are too many options!

... which is why if I were you, I'd go to Asda if you can!

I wouldn't get varifocals online. My prescription is very fiddly and I needed a couple of tweaks to get them right.

I ordered some online as a super cheap second pair. Waste of money and won't do it again.

@impatientwatcher - what particular problems did you have?

Was it the positioning of the different areas?

@Bargebill19 - I'm really struggling to work out what types of lenses I need. There seem to be so many different types and different coatings. Any thoughts?

Op I go for anti reflective, anti scratch and light reactive lenses.
Anti scratch is a must if you are heavy handed with glasses! Anti reflective are fab when using smart phones/tablets/computers etc. Light reactive save me from needing sunglasses as well, plus I am a squinter in sunshine!
As for the lenses themselves I go for the most expensive as they give less distortion at the very edges of your lenses - if you have varifocals. That’s the difference between being able to see through approx 85% of the lens without distorting or 99% of the lens. If you are going for single vision then it doesn’t matter.
Brand names aren’t important.
Frames - I like ones with flexible nose pads, so metal frames. It’s easier for you to adjust these yourself should you accidentally squash your glasses. I also insist on flexible hinges as they are more comfortable to take off.
I do tend to keep my frames for a decade at a time - online lens providers will revalue as will independent high street stores, but spec savers etc will not.

I haven't done online but I too have gone to asda and mostly good reports. Went early last year to Spec savers, glasses were absolute rubbish fell apart within one year although nothing wrong with the lenses as such. Had to go back to Asda early this year due to woeful special saver glasses but I didn't get my eyes retested as it had only been a year since they were last tested, stupid idea as i think my eyesight has got worse as my glasses aren't doing the same job. I'm varifocals too.

The credit card thing measures your pupil to pupil distance. Personally I wouldn’t do it either as it’s so tricky. In terms of coatings, I need the thinnest lenses possible as I have a strong prescription but I don’t bother with anything else. I highly recommend Specsavers.

I have had three sets of varifocal bought online. All have been fine.

However, I have a very low prescription, and that could possibly make a difference. I would also recommend going for the most expensive you can afford. I had a cheap pair from Specsavers and I had to turn my head, rather than my eyes, to see left and right etc.

Slitty frames, like letterboxes, that were popular until not so long ago are not good for varifocals as all the different viewing distances have to be squeezed into a narrower space.