To be worried about the cost of new glasses?

[BlancmanegeBunny]

I need new glasses, my current ones cost a fortune about three years ago, varifocals with reaction lenses. I have had a new eye test but didn't have time to look at frames after the test as I had to get back for the school run.
I'm dreading how much a new pair is going to cost!
If you have had similar glasses recently how much did you pay and where did you get them?

Last year - £380 for (two pairs for one) varifocals, lens thinning and reactions in one pair, from Specsavers.

My partner orders mine when there's an offer on speccy4eyes.com or glasses direct. Been doing that for several years and never had any issues and we pay around 10/15 a pair I think. Even with all the extras they are relatively reasonable and I am constantly referring friends and family there now as the cost of living increases, paying for expenses such as glasses is stressful for many

Depends if you want cheap or good quality glasses . You cant have both.

If you have an Asda opticians near you they are amazing value - they start at £45 including everything! Last time I went there I paid £150 for two pairs of complex, thinned, varifocals in designer frames

Oh, and my lenses are really tricky and they did it very well, so no compromise

I have a ridiculous prescription and really struggle with affording new lenses.. I've given up replacing the frame unless it works out cheaper. I used glasses direct last time and even with codes & choosing the cheapest possible lenses they still cost £200+

You could ask for your prescription and got to an optical technicians. If you want to keep your old frames they can often just insert the new lenses for a fraction of the cost. I've done that many times.

I wouldn't recommend online for Varifocals as the fit is crucial. It is fine for simple prescriptions. I believe Asda is the most competitive for varifocals.

Just spent over £2000 for two pairs with complicated prescriptions. 😫

They were the top of the line, but with my eyes, I need them.

If you're happy with your frames Vision Express charge £60 for putting new lenses in existing ones. Even if choosing cheap frames it's the lenses and add ons that are the killer. My new ones cost about £150 for cheap frames and basic lenses. The frames are rubbish too, very heavy and hurt my nose I wish I'd paid a bit more for better quality lighter ones. Something to consider if on a budget.

I definitely wouldn't order Varifocals online! I do have an Asda optician about 40mins away so I could combine a trip there with some shopping and a visit to a friend.

My current frames are on their last legs! Definitely need to replace them.

My last prescription cost a small fortune, and 6 months later my eyes have changed again. I'll need new glasses, and can't afford them. No idea what I'll do this time.

I also have a very complicated prescription, where the vision in my left eye is very different from my right.

Totally echo the recommendation for Asda opticians if you have a complex eye prescription. There are different bands for designer glasses or not, but not for thinned, variafocals or reactive lenses. opticians.asda.com/info/our-complete-price-on-glasses

They're not amazingly fashionable or designer frames but they suit me (and my ridiculous prescription) well and they've always taken care to fit them (I get my eyes tested elsewhere...)

Definitely Glasses Direct - if you can time it for when there's an offer on, or even combine two offers, it'l be much cheaper than a high street optician. Years ago, I got two pairs of glasses for $25 (pounds not dollars but can't find the pound sign) and one was sunglasses. You can order glasses to try on at home before purchasing, or there's an online tool that allows you to upload a photo and do it digitally.

Other than that, as @CMOTDibbler has mentioned, Asda seem to be reasonable. I can confirm that it really is a good price for two pairs with everything in. Might be less than 150 for two pairs, depending on the range. Also, because I'm getting varifocals, they said that I can try them for a month and if they are no good, I can return them for two normal pairs, reading and distance.

I was quoted over £600 by boots for one pair of glasses. Ordered and received and wearing from pretavoir for £380 ish exact same glasses, in fact this was with an upgrade to Zeiss lenses. It's UK based and is an opticians, they send the frames, you take a photo of you wearing them so they can work out the pupil distance for you.

Mine were varifocals btw

£150 for varifocals with thin lenses from Iolla.

Cubbits are good quality, good service stylish and frames including lenses for around £150. DH has varifocals and paid a small additional amount eg in 10s rather than£100s.

I got the cheapest pair possible from spec savers for a couple of years to replace a fancy designer pair that broke (around £700). The Cubbits are better than both.

I've had my £45 Asda varifocals for 3 years - they're brilliant! My bil and husband also use them with very high prescriptions- thin lenses no extra charge.