Varifocals

[Fianceechickie]

DH has had an eye test today and been advised he needs varifocals. To avoid distortion he wants to go for the best type (which is fair enough given what his job involves). We've been quoted £350 for the lenses plus frames...and the ones he likes are £400 ish. Plus a coating for the lenses. It's the independent optician I've used for years. The service and quality are amazing but it's not cheap. DH is thinking of going somewhere cheaper to get the actual glasses or even online. I'm thinking we took up loads of a professional's time this afternoon and got lots of advice and that's what you're paying for. Any thoughts on varifocals, prices, cheaper options?

I went to Iolla in Glasgow. All frames are the same price. Add varifical lenses for £60. Cost all in £125. No upselling, thinning as standard. Brilliant! They also have a branch in Edinburgh. My last pair of varificals were £400. These are just as good. You need to take a prescription in to them and they measure you up once you’ve picked your frame.

I paid about £200 for a pair of varifocals at vision express with reactive lenses but had a discount on them. I’ve only got cheap frames though, no way would I pay a fortune for designer frames.

You get what you pay for with varifocals lenses unfortunately. Pay more = much better field of vision . This is not the same for the frame, you would just be paying for the designer name rather than quality.
Paying for a cheap varifocal "in case you don't get on with them" often doesn't work out for people because the vision is much more restrictive, so really difficult to get used to.

I paid £416 for 2 pairs of varifocals at Specsavers today.
The main pair is with the super thin lenses and antiglare. For sunglasses I chosen slightly cheaper lenses. However I have astigmatism too so prices for me are always steeper.
I think your dh should try Specsavers once to compare. All 3 of us we've been using their services for years.
I'd say you would pay just over 200 with S.

If you join the Boots Opticians contact lens scheme, they give you 50% off your glasses - worth it even if you don't wear contacts for a month or two!