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.

Balls. I’m -12. Anywhere can do it but it has to be signed off by a dispensing optician or the optometrist.

Asda opticians are your friend here
I have a high prescription, astigmatism, getting on a bit so need varifocals. I can get a pair of thin lenses varifocals from there for a fraction of what you've been quoted.

Asda optician prices
opticians.asda.com/our-complete-price-on-glasses

Even my glasses aren't £700 and they are fancy pants high power varifocals from a designer place. I would definitely try some chain opticians as recommended, you may need to go down to the "lower range" varifocals but hopefully your prescription will settle down. I found Asda were a bit too cheap to be true but Specsavers would be a good call, and they have a guarantee.

I still have to take my glasses off for threading needles/tiny print, you may as well use what nature gave you for really close work.

www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/nhs-voucher-values-for-glasses-and-lenses/ There are different NHS vouchers, based on prescription and lenses used. I qualify for D voucher as one of my eyes is 7 dioptres.

I am very shocked to see I qualify for one of the higher value vouchers.

For those who order glasses online, how do you adjust the arms, pads etc? As both of my ears are different shaped at the back and one sticks out more than the other. I can spend 20 mins at Specsavers having frames adjusted.

Can see myself breaking the frames before I can wear them.

That is only if you are claiming certain benefits. Not everyone gets that.

That seems v steep OP. I recently had an eye exam and bought 2 pairs of the most expensive varifocals Specsavers do for less than £500.