to wonder if I was being fleeced? M

[YellowLily]

light hearted - kinda

Went to the opticians today, been putting it off for a while just because.. life, busy etc.

Had an eye test - of course eyes have changed slightly enough to warrant new prescription. I have a rather strong prescription and they always try to flog me the really thin lenses. This time though they said that because I haven't had thin lenses in the past my eyes are uncomfortable and could be contributing to my migraines (which I mentioned concern about). They also went on to say it's imperative I buy a pair of sunglasses as due to my migraines I must be light sensitive - and it's also important that they have polarised lenses.

All in all (BEFORE FRAMES) their recommendations came to £380. When she asked if I'd like to look at frames I made an excuse although have made an appointment to go back.

AIBU to wonder if all this is necessary or whether they saw me coming?

I got two pairs for £320... both are designer, I have an complex prescription so need the lenses thinning out and one pair have reaction lenses because my anti-depressants affect my eyes!

Mine are expensive but I wear them all day every day and only buy new ones every two years. £480 but they were BOGOF so only £240 really. That works out at £10 per month so less than contact lenses.

I've just paid for glass thinning, smudge proof (debatable) waterproof, less reflective etc from Specsavers, cost an extra £40

I used to pay a fortune for my thin lens glasses until the day I decided to buy a cheap spare pair I could keep in the car. When I collected them I was suprised to discover that the standard lenses weren't any thicker than my v expensive ultra thin ones. I paid just £15 inc lenses from Tesco (who did try to upsell me all the extras) - granted the quality of the frames isn't as good but tbh they look just as nice and at that price I can afford to replace them whenever. When I buy my next pair I won't be spending mega money that's for sure!

I wear thin varifocals that react to sun etc and they cost me just under £500 from a local optician. Worth every penny. They are very light and if I'm awake, I'm wearing them.

I needed new glasses and wanted sunglasses. £660. Nearly passed out but paid. Then later thought it was ridiculous and rang to cancel. Too late apparently. I did eventually cancel the sunglasses and had different glasses but can't remember what happened other than the service being terrible.

If you have a strong prescription and that's for x2 pairs of high index lenses then you're not really being fleeced. My prescription is 8 (short sighted) and a pair of glasses with non expensive / branded frames costs me £400 or so.

I went for the thinnest lenses last year (as things not quite so tight money wise) and I LOVE them! Probably a good idea if you have migraines.

I stopped going to Specsavers as they only seem interested in how many extras they can sell me. Two of my children are severely short sighted, I explain every time that as they have fluctuating prescriptions, changed every 3-4 months, then no we do not want to buy the thinner lenses. Or the anti-sctatch, or polarisation or anything else...we just want 2 pairs for each child, the frames they like with the Reactions lenses. That is all, every time I was having to go through the sales patter - the last few times my children were told that they would need thinner lenses or they would be bullied
We go to an independant now and get no hassle at all!

Go to ASDA - they thin your glasses for free.

Another vote for specsavers. I am about - 10 in both eyes. Without ultra thinning, my glasses look awful in metal frames, plus I get that shiney anti scratch coating. Never paid as much as your quote, and as pp said, 2 for 1 offers plus great sales. You're only fleeced if you pay it!!

Asda include reduced thickness lenses for high prescriptions.

I pay for mine to be thinned. But I got one pair thinned and my home spare not, with frames, under 150.
They didn't try upselling at all.
I suffer light related migraines and wear contacts, just take sunniest everywhere I go too

Mine are specsavers

Please everyone paying more than £50 look at my link. Asda thins etc on glasses for free!!!!! You get designer glasses of your choice with everything included. One price.

Asda opticians all the way. Can't fault them. In addition to DH, I know at least half a dozen people who have got glasses from there, (and been happy!) It's £75 for a pair (and £99 for 2 pairs... so you may as well get 2.) And I think it's £89 for a pair of designers and £129 for 2 pairs of designers. Everything is included. And the aftercare is fab.

Hubby went to specsavers the year before last, and paid almost £300 for a pair, and after 3 months, a scratch appeared on the lense. He doesn't know how. He took them in and they said 'nothing we can do about that.' And turned away.

Turns out if it's not a 'manufacturers fault,' they can't/won't help. So a £300 pair of glasses was now a struggle for him to use. They said 'you should have gotten accidental damage insurance cover.' Well DUHHH! He would have if he had known about it and had been offered it!

That is why he went to Asda after several people recommended it. Because the Specsavers aftercare was poor. He tolerated the scratch on the glasses from Specsavers for months, but couldn't tolerate it much longer.

Getting 2 pairs (including varifocals) for £99 from ASDA made up for it a bit, (his expensive glasses from Specsavers being from shit,) but we were still massively annoyed with spescavers and hell will freeze over before we use them again.

And as people have said, the thin lenses come as standard anyway, so the opticians trying to upsell are conning you. The prices Asda charge prove the 'main' regular opticians are rip off merchants.

Of course YABU, if you don't trust your optician you should find another one.

Your optical health is pretty important and you need to be able to trust the medical professionals you are charging with taking care of it.