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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think glasses are too expensive

91 replies

CrazyHippo · 30/05/2018 16:30

I had eye surgery 18months ago and will need glasses indefinitely. I will need varifocals too..

I was told to wait 12 weeks post surgery to get glasses which i did..16 weeks infact.
Standard frames and decent varifocals set me back £190.

Just a year later my vision has changed and im going to need new glasses but really cant justify 200pound again just because 1 eye has changed.

Ive shopped around but that makes little difference.

Not sure what im really asking..more of a moan than anything I think.

OP posts:
SimonBridges · 30/05/2018 16:32

They are expensive but then every single pair is made to order so that can be the expense.

SilverHairedCat · 30/05/2018 16:33

Sounds like you are buying premium frames and lenses.

Have you got a copy of your prescription? Order a pair online.

CharltonLido73 · 30/05/2018 16:33

I agree. I have a weird prescription and it costs a fortune for the lenses every time. I put off going for eye tests for as long as possible so as not to incur the costs of the inevitable prescription change.

Sirzy · 30/05/2018 16:33

You can get frames from £30 in most places. Places like specsavers do 2 for 1 on their £69 and above glasses. Ok you will have to pay extra for the varifocal part that’s only about £50 depending where you go

Greenteandchives · 30/05/2018 16:34

Have you tried on line? I get mine from Zenni Optical.

MaxPepsi · 30/05/2018 16:34

They are an expensive item.

BUT I break it down to a daily expense.
So, my £260 glasses equate to 36p a day.
Makes it much easier to swallow.

Mine generally last 2 years and I get them treated.

KanielOutis · 30/05/2018 16:35

They are something that you wear every day so it's worth investing in a decent pair. DD could have free glasses but I always upgrade her to a nicer pair.

BarbaraOcumbungles · 30/05/2018 16:35

Try select specs. I usually spend a fortune on glasses but bought a pair on select specs for £6 and they’re as good as the expensive ones.

nickEcave · 30/05/2018 16:37

I agree, I have a strong prescription which means I have to pay a lot for ultra-thin lenses or they look like bottle bottoms and I also need varifocals which aren't great to buy online as they need to sit correctly on your face to work properly. I pay around £400 a time and at least £300 of that is for the lenses, not the frames.

CoffeAndCream · 30/05/2018 16:38

I had two pairs of varifocals in asda for £99. Really pleased with them!

Original poster
CrazyHippo · 30/05/2018 16:40

Ill have a look at the options youve mentioned online. Its the lenses that make mine so expensive - i only have £40 frames but I have to have elite varifocals as the shape of my eye following surgery means standard varifocals have too much "soft focus" in my line of vision.

I guess breaking down the cost per day like mentioned above makes it seem less painful

I guess im just being moody because i expected these to last at least 2year but im going to need them replaced only a year in

OP posts:
DownAtFraggleRock · 30/05/2018 16:42

I have a strong prescription which means I have to pay a lot for ultra-thin lenses or they look like bottle bottoms and I also need varifocals which aren't great to buy online as they need to sit correctly on your face to work properly. I pay around £400 a time and at least £300 of that is for the lenses, not the frames.

yep, me too - last ones were more like 600 quid. and then you need sunglasses too!

nipersvest · 30/05/2018 16:42

I paid just over £100 recently in Specsavers, got their own brand frames 2 for 1, one are my distance glasses, the other are prescription sunglasses, and for my reading glasses, I had new lenses put in my old frames. DH pays more as he has varifocals, but you can keep costs way down by going for own brand frames.

DownAtFraggleRock · 30/05/2018 16:42

bold fail Sad

DGRossetti · 30/05/2018 16:44

Ever since Specsavers pissed us off a few years ago, we've gone online for specs. I've had 6 pairs over the years, last company was "Goggles4U" which did 2 pairs for £18 including postage.

Had to change companies because their frame range keeps changing. The quality each time was perfect.

lifelongfrugaleer · 30/05/2018 16:47

Those who go on line what do you do about getting the glasses to fit your head. Mine always seem to need adjusting to fit my head?

Footofthestairs · 30/05/2018 16:47

I get my eyes tested at Specsavers, then take my prescription and buy online. Have used Glassesdirect for the last 5 years and had great glasses and sunglasses. I have saved a fortune using them!

Sirzy · 30/05/2018 16:52

I wonder that lifelong, and when they need tightening and you just nip into branch

DGRossetti · 30/05/2018 16:52

Those who go on line what do you do about getting the glasses to fit your head.

Just enter the pupillary distance ? They always seem to fit.

Jozxyqk · 30/05/2018 16:52

They are expensive. I have a strong prescription so like nickEcave I get the ultra thin lenses, or I look like I have milk bottle bottoms on my face. I can't order online as I need them fitted properly otherwise I get dreadful headaches. I need varifocals these days as well, for reading etc, as I can't focus on close up things with my regular specs but can't see without them. If you get tax credits you might be eligible for a voucher towards the cost, it's worth checking.

Etymology23 · 30/05/2018 16:55

I think Asda do varifocals included in their price tiering? Worth a look?

vandrew4 · 30/05/2018 16:56

I get mine for glasses direct, spex4less and goggle 4 u. Very rarely pay more than a tenner a time and they're perfect.
Lots of the online ones will send out a selection of frames for you to try at home if you're worried about the fit but TBH, if you put in pupillary distance they seem to be a perfect fit every time

katseyes7 · 30/05/2018 16:58

YES!! l'm currently on benefits so l get help. The last time l got new reading glasses (18 months ago now) they gave me a price which sounded reasonable. l had asked for thin lenses, so l assumed the cost included those.
When l went to collect them (or so l thought) they informed me that they hadn't made them up yet as l hadn't paid the extra for the thin lenses. As l was broke at the time l had to get the ordinary lenses. l haven't worn them since l got them as they're too heavy, so l'm still wearing my old ones.

Squ1ggle · 30/05/2018 16:58

I just ordered some glasses from asda yesterday, was impressed that they include thin lenses as standard according to your prescription. Not the biggest range of frames but I got a pair of sunglasses and a spare pair of glasses for £110 which would otherwise have cost me £90 each just for thinner lenses at specsavers plus the cost of frames

LoniceraJaponica · 30/05/2018 16:58

I'm not sure that buying varifocals online is a great idea because the measurement has to be so precise. Given that the OP has had eye surgery and needs specialised lenses I think the advice to buy online is probably not the best thing to do.

I am hapy to be corrected though.