Getting prescription from opticians but buying glasses online

[LifeInAHamsterWheel]

I'm thinking of doing this after someone in work did it and has two fab pairs of glasses that he says were a fraction of the price he'd have paid in the opticians. I'm not sure if I'd have the nerve to ask for my prescription and just leave though! I go to Specsavers. Is it frowned upon to do this? Or totally normal?

Yeah you have to ask for it, just explain you’re getting your specs elsewhere. If they try and guilt trip you or explain their bargains (because tbf BOGOF is a great deal) just say no thanks firmly.

Can anyone tell me how to measure PD please? I got varifocals from specsavers last year but can’t see properly because of the blurry side panels coupled with all the floaters in my stupid eyes. I want to just get two separate pairs of glasses online but no idea how to start with the measuring. Thank you!

Get thee to Asda, 80 quid all in or £120 for two. Includes fancy lenses, has saved me a fortune.

It depends how complex your prescription and glasses are. Also, I bought mine from the Opticians and they broke. They were still under guarantee and they replaced the frame there and then. I really depend on my glasses and couldn’t have waited for a replacement from an online optician

Specsavers always hand me my prescription on a little card.

I have had glasses online and have a complex prescription and varifocals. Only once was there a problem and they took them straight back and tweaked them for me.

One company sent me three frames to try at home which was great as family could comment too.

My opticians were happy to fit lenses into frames I bought online.
but they couldn’t get them in, and were happy to sort this out for me.
i did buy another pair from them, anyway.
but it’s certainly possible. Maybe you need to offer a disclaimer to something!?

I was directed to use the Glasses On app and used it to measure my PD

Thank you @dementedpixie. I’ll take a look at that.

This is a normal practice but if you buy online you should always buy from someone who offers a free trial at home service so you can see the frames you like in person before making a decision. You can tell the quality and the fit immediately. If you go ahead and order a custom pair without the trial right away you may have issues and then may not be eligible for a refund anymore. Greenwich Social Club have a very generous offer and are a UK company so not sketchy like a lot of the random chinese websites, check them out.

Absolutely OP!

I buy all my glasses online now (I use Pretavoir for my glasses and sunglasses now and I’ve also used Glasses Direct in the past and been very pleased with both)

You should get given your prescription at the end of your sight test. If your prescription is straightforward then you should be ok to buy online. Mine's complex so I always buy in-store as a tiny dimension wrong would make the glasses unwearable.

Legally your optometrist has to give you a copy of your prescription after an eye test. It shouldn’t be a question of having to ask for it.
You’ll need your PD measurement for online specs which most websites give instructions on how to do. Your optometrist can also provide this but might charge as it’s not part of the information that’s legally required to be provided.

I did this. Tried on some frames at the opticians which I was quoted £600 for (I kid you not) and got the same pair, same lenses online for £150. You're entitled to a copy of your prescription as part of your appointment. You're under no obligation to buy from the same optician. Most opticians will also be happy to adjust glasses when you haven't bought them from them, which you may need to do if you buy online.

No, they won’t.
Unless you’re prepared to pay for the adjustments.

I have sent online glasses back for free adjustments before now. Specsavers have also replaced online ones for me.

Reglazed ... blooming spellchecker thinks it knows best!