Where can I get cheaper replacement lenses for my elderly mum?

[NetZeroZealot]

Mum, 87 with early stage Alzheimer's, had a check up at the local independent optician yesterday.

Her prescription has changed quite a bit (she had cataract surgery a couple of years ago) and has been quoted £590 for new lenses in her current frames!

This is not an option - where can we go to get something serviceable but considerably cheaper? Thanks.

I just had cataract surgery OP and had to get reading glasses. I thought it would be relatively cheap using my own frames but I just paid a similar amount to what you were quoted although that was for 2 pairs and included transition lenses in one pair. The cost shocked me.
I've just googled and there is at least one online firm that advertises they will use your own frames if they are in good condition. I have no idea what their charges are but it might be worth getting a quote from an online company.

I use glasses direct, but then I do get a new cheap frame.

I think you can use your own frame there as well but I haven't done that.

This is what lenses cost, OP. I'd be surprised if you could get them much cheaper.

We have always found Specsavers to be very reasonably priced - you could take the prescription in there (or call them up) and get a quote? There may be a special deal (with new frames) so worth asking for a quote for both - reuse old frames or supply new frames

Does she have a special prescription like prisms or varifocals? That price seems high. I pay roughly that for lenses and frames with thinning, varifocals and reactive lenses. The varifocals I have aren't the basic level but the more expensive type.

Is this just for reading glasses, or are they varifocals?

It is very expensive for reading glasses.

Go to Asda they do 2 pairs of doc for £120 including varifocals. There is nothing wrong with them . I used to work in an independent optician so had access to lens pricing.

Asda is good but you may have to travel to find one of the big stores that have opticians.

2 pairs of spx / see above post

You can get them MUCH cheaper!

Asda opticians changed my life.

Went from nearly £600 for 2 pairs of varifocals at Specsavers to less than a quarter of that. I've now got extra pairs of sunglasses (tints/varifocals lenses at no extra cost) and readers for bedtime and sewing too.

They have the same mind-boggling array of frame styles as any other optician.

Asda have a small range of complete glasses including varifocal lenses if required for £45 all in, or a bit more for other frame ranges. I’ve been buying my glasses from them for years with no problems.

Asda? Or is someone going to Cyprus soon? Is her prescription bad? Mine is awful and I pay about £600 for lenses into an old frame, verifocals

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions.

The glasses are for distance vision, not reading, but as she's barely driving now I'm not sure if it's worth it.

happy to get her new frames if it's cheaper!

Her prescription isn't that complicated.

YYY to Asda

Even if she's not driving she may still be better off wearing glasses for her distance vision. How short sighted is she?

I got two pairs of glasses with new frames for distance vision (driving) from Specsavers last month for £120.

At 87, with Alzheimer’s it’s just as well!

Yes. I can't recall what I paid for my new spectacles last year, but they were nowhere near the amount that the OP has quoted. If it's a straightforward prescription, it really does sound like a rip off to me.

I use Ferrier McKinnon in Fife. (They have a few branches.) I'm astigmatic and short-sighted and get my distance glasses from them. I've just remembered - not only were my glasses cheaper, but they came with magnetic polaroid lenses to go over the glasses plus magnetic yellow lenses for driving. (I was going to get separate prescription sunglasses, but the optometrist recommended the magnetic clip-ons as a cheaper option.)

I've also purchased reasonably priced spectacles from SpecSavers and a friend swears by them. SpecSavers often does a reduction if you're getting two sets of spectacles to the same prescription.

Another firm that I hear is reasonable is Perfect Vision in Hullbridge, Essex. They advertise that they do repairs, so they might be able to fit new lenses at a reasonable price if you're close to them. They have a FB page.

A relative used them when on holiday in that area. That relative decided to get a new pair of glasses while they were there. They were astigmatic and long-sighted. It was a while ago, but I've done a search and the firm is still there. (It's a family firm.)

Having said all that, I appreciate that it's unlikely that either of those two firms are close to the OP, but I'd recommend phoning around rather than agreeing to the price she's been quoted. I'd be looking for solid golds specs for that money...

I used to go to specsavers and had the lenses changes in both frames when I needed to. They replaced the lenses- with the exact same prescription I'd had previously, then refused to admit liability!

I've since moved house and tried the local specsavers for my 1st variofocals. I didn't buy them, but instead went to Asda. For basic frames, thinned lens, anti glare etc asda were £300 cheaper than SS! The hour round trip drive was worth it for me. You might find buying complete, new frames and lenses cheaper than just replacing the lens.

It totally depends on her prescription and what the option is trying to sell you. I had new glasses around £500, with new frames, butI have a complex prescription have them untra thined a dreacfion light lens. I also had these new boost plus lenses as I'm starting to need reading glasses as well as distance.

If hers are no where near that complicated then it shouldn't be that expensive. I also often fine it cheaper (or almost as) to get new frames as they do charge for putting lenses in old frames. I would vist specsavers or Asda or tesco for cheap on the high street glasses.

Unfortunately my prescription is to complicated to get online but as others have said glasses direct is good for cheap online glasses.

Glasses direct. Have a look on MartinLewis MoneySavingExpert.com for offers and codes. I think my last purchase was 2 for 1 and free postage and I paid less than £50 in total for one pair of distance amd one pair of computer glasses.

I’ve just ordered some from lensology or Pop specs will reglaze most frames.