To ask if you wear them how much your last pair of spectacles cost

[JaceLancs]

I have worn glasses since I was 7, then contact lenses from 18 up until my 40s when I developed dry eyes and other problems which meant I had to give them up
Now at 51 am having to consider varifocals
I have quite a strong prescription so usually have the lenses made thinner, prefer rimless styles and due to allergies have to have either titanium or stainless steel frames
My current pair are also transitions as I found that cheaper last time than buying a second pair even with the offers around
I've tried 3 local independents along with vision express and specsavers
Cheapest quote I've had was around £400 dearest £600+
That was not for custom varifocals but not for the very basic ones either

Ok well you definitely need 1.74 index then, but I'd stay away from rimless with that prescription!

I've just had a quote from specsavers for top of the range super thin rimless varifocals. 308 quid if I don't want to do the free spare pair thing.

Yes Specsavers excellant value. Frames £99, eyetest free + thin anti glare lenses free as I only took one pair. I have mild astimatism in one eye.

I'm fairly short sighted (-11 or so in both eyes). I mostly wear contact lenses but use glasses at the beginning and end of the day and some days. My current glasses come from asda - they cost £40 and this included thinning to 1.74 due to my prescription. Am very happy with them and also happy with the price

My varifocals are from specsavers. Paid around £380 and got a pair of prescription sunglasses free

£690 for frameless varifocals (Lindbergh frames) - I wanted to try them for once. Love them, as they are so light!

Mine were about £300 but most of that was for the frame. I have an easy prescription and the optician I went to includes all the extras, anti scratch etc in the lense price. Doesn't sound so bad now compared to some of you!

I wish I had seen this thread last week- there are some great deals on here. I went to Tesco last week and ordered 2 pairs for £105, I think. The eye test was free and the frames are BOGOF if you choose from the £65+ range. It's the stuff they do to the lenses that adds up! £30 each for anti-reflective coating on one pair, and £20 for tinting to make the other in to sunglasses. But I'm going to be checking out some of these sites next time!

Digestive Linbergs are fab!

Two pairs of really nice glasses for £100 in total from Glasses Direct. I wont buy from an optician again - way too expensive.

£13 including postage. I am short sighted though so this is for basic specs not varifocals. I got a prescription vision express, then I just bought a pair I liked from selectspecs online. They are far better than glasses I've had before from the high street.

£95 but that was with a 15% discount. Got some Carolina Herrera sunnies for £95 which was half price. From Boots.

I just wouldn't get new glasses if I had to pay that much, but I'm lucky my prescription is very mild.

My varifocals were about £600, with the lenses being most of that. I have the mid range lenses and get them thinned.

Varifocals - frame, thin, lightweight, coated transitional lenses - £850!

£180 for the lenses only!

Free frames on specsavers lens mail. I am a -8 in left eye, -7 in right so thinned to the max.

I resent paying it as I wear them for about 20 minutes a day but can't go without on the odd chance I'll get an eye infection or something!

Mine were £6 from SelectSpecs. They come with free anti glare coating. Postage was £6 again so I treated myself to a few pairs.

Think mine were about £70 from glasses direct. I shopped around the high street for ages though, looking for the perfect frames, then sourced them online.
One thing about varifocals: they're not recommended if you have neck problems - all that tilting and cocking your head to alter your view. Ouch!

I've stopped paying for the super thinning and just go for the mid level thinning. I pick quite heavy Ray Ban style frames so you can't see the difference, its just the weight of them which I'm now used to.

My last were something like £400 (-6.5 prescription plus astigmatism and a frame that was about £150) That was ages ago though, I need new ones but I'm pregnant so will have to wait.

I got varifocals from John Lewis for £425 - lenses were £300 and frame £125

I'm surprised you can have rimless with that prescription.

I've gone for top of the range lenses and they're £650+ (higher prescription than the OP)

To those that buy online - how can you do that? Surely you need your specs adjusted once they arrive?

My rationale is I wear them every day on my face. Therefore I am entitled that they be as good as they can be. £850 every three years (yes, because I include a pair of sunglasses) works out at less than £1 a day - two coffees a week for something that sits on my face and everyone sees!

I agree!

You do need them adjusting so you walk into an optician's and ask them to adjust them for you.

I would always worry with online ones about the measurements of where your pupils sit in relation to the frames etc, especially with any sort of less regular prescription.

Short-sighted ones for me - £95 I think as I chose a pair of child frames.

I paid £85 from Specsavers. They're from the range aimed at teens because I have a very thin and narrow face wish the same thing could be said about my body. I wanted a spare pair in their bogof deal but for some stupid reason that I don't remember it would have cost me double .

Three years ago, just over £250, which was £100 more than I said I wanted to spend on the way in. I was in the town for the day, rushed and it took forever. On the train home that night I noticed I'd been charged nearly £100 for the eye exam, which I though was free every couple of years? Previous exam had been four years earlier. I shall wear these till my eyes go crossed to get my money's worth out of them!