Need some advice about paying high costs for glasses please

[SaltyDragon]

Posting here for traffic.

I have Diabetes, and as such, my vision changes quite regularly. About three months ago I began struggling to see properly with my close to glasses, unable to read books properly anymore or thread my sewing machine. I kept having to take my glasses off and get up very close to see. My long range glasses are not as bad, but still not working properly.

Booked an optician test to be told that my glasses are now too strong and I need to get them changed. However, even with an NHS voucher one pair of glasses is going to cost me £700 and I simply don't have that money, or anyway of borrowing it (think COL as everyone is struggling as well)

Does anyone know of any charities that can help with costs of items like this? I am getting headaches, bleary eyes and exhaustion from this. I am making an effort to save a small amount, but often need to use it for more important things such as food shopping or bills.

Any advice would be really appreciated. Just as a note, the vast majority of the cost is for the lens, I have varifocals and something to adjust for my astigmatism.

Can I just wade in and say that there is no such thing as ‘thinned lenses’. They don’t take regular lenses and make them thinner. They use different qualities of plastics that have a different reflective index.

@snapchatrules yes ASDA offer a range of petite frames, varifocals and thinned lenses all in.

They have virtually zero overheads that's how they do it. No rent etc.

asda includes high index lenses in its standard pricing.

I have heard good things about Asda opticians before - I think they include varifocals in their standard pricing. May be worth a try?

My last pair were £750 (2 years ago) and my husband just paid over £900. It is the lenses. If you need anything specialist they are really expensive.

Yes husband could probably have shaved £200 off his but that’s all.

But there is no point telling me we can just get a £50 pair because that just isn’t not the case with our specific needs.

So OP you have my sympathy and I hope you find help.

I get mine online from specs by post.

They are not prescription glasses, just cheap reading specs!

I’ve had two pairs of varifocals from SS with ultra thin lenses!

I would definitely shop around and get some quotes. I have astigmatism (quite bad in one eye) as well as short sight and have been borderline “complex prescription” for years. From our independent optician it would have been about £600 for glasses. I got them, and sunglasses, from Specsavers for around half that.

Googles4u are excellent. You attach your prescription when you order online. Mine were about £16 including postage and I’m very impressed with them.

My eye test was around £120 from a very good private optician, but there’s no way I would pay at least £600 for a pair of glasses (again)!

Could you get a price for two separate pairs and also ask for the cheapest frames even if they are men’s or children’s?
Getting a copy of your prescription as others have suggested is a good plan.

Thank you!

I always want to post this on every discussion about glasses, but I restrain myself as I think it’s just me being pissy about it as I’m an optician! Glad it annoys other people though!

Asda offer best value for high prescriptions
Do teenage frames fit you?
Try some styles for teenagers just in case they do fit. That could save you £50 easily.

That's ridiculous. Take prescription to on spec or Asda. Even spec savers will be cheaper.

-6, astigmatism,thinned lenses,verifocals. £400 at Boots opticians.

There should be frames much cheaper than £150. May vary from one part of the country to another, but the opticians i go to has lots that are much less than that. The ones I choose are around £150, but they come with sunglasses that attach to the frame by unseen magnets, so to me they are worth paying for. I could pick from ones that are half the price if I wanted to.

Not sure on what your prescription is but £550 on lenses seems extreme.

My last pair the lenses were around £300/£325 for varifocals. Standard vision lenses would have been less. My lenses are classes as complex because they are approx -12.5 in strength and I have a very mild stigmatism. I have been having lenses that have been thinned for years, because otherwise they would be like milk bottle bottoms.

My eyesight is so bad I get free eyetests and a government voucher towards glasses. I need complex lenses. I go to Asda were I get the mega mega super duper extra thin lenses all in for £75. ish. Thereabouts.

OP should just go to Asda.

Go to asda. Their glasses including lenses thinned coated etc are £80. Even tinted for the same price. Take a copy of your prescription there.

Thanks.

I was a highly qualified dispensing assistant for years as well as being -12. It annoys me as people don’t understand what they are paying for and can’t end up being ripped off.

If your prescription changes they can just change the lenses. You don't need new frames

Try vision express. They have an offer buy two pairs, get 20% off, pay interest free over 2 years, free eye tests and if your vision changes within that time they'll replace your lenses for free plus free repairs. Worth a look and makes it more affordable than paying total outright

OP I have a very high prescription (12-14) and astigmatism and I’ve never been able to find cheap glasses - Specsavers have prescribed for both and been acceptable (not perfect) standard, but I haven’t tried their varifocals and it’s still quite costly. Do you/have you worked? You might be able to get help from your trade union or a sector-specific charity like EEIBA or the British Legion.

Minus 11 with astigmatism wearing varifocal here, I used Asda for years and they were fab. Sadly they struggled with my last pair so I moved to Specsavers.

I find don't look at frames you like or frames which are fashionable, check the size of the frame on the arm. My current pair are 49 x 16. When choosing frames, I will search out all these sizes or similar. Then pick the pair I like the most. I find even a 53 x 16 frame has a massive impact on the lens thickness, but I did pay £700 - £800 a pair when going to independent opticians but paid £400 ISH for 2 pairs. Good luck 🤞

I have the most expensive varifocals from specsavers with "designer" frames (specsavers don't do gucci or the like). Cost about £350 for 2 pairs with all the bells and whistles anti Glare etc.

For £700 I imagine you have complex lenses, even if you have really fancy frames!!

Take your prescription to Asda - their cheapest varifocals are £45, and they included thinning, anti glare etc in the cost. They often have multi buy deals. I can't see their current offers online, which makes me feel that they have changed, but they will always be cheaper than an independent optician.

I would advise a cheaper high street optician rather than an online glasses manufacturer. With complex lenses you need the glasses measured and fitted so they sit right and are properly aligned.