I have no idea how to buy glasses

[RudsyFarmer]

I’m nearly 50 and I’m clueless. I have age related eyesight loss and am about to start a job that requires me to read small print in (probably) crappy lighting. So I’ve accepted it’s time to get some glasses.

I've always had excellent eyesight so I’ve never needed any action after any eye test. I haven’t had a test now for over ten years so this time I know I’ll need a prescription. My understanding is you can pay for an eye test on the high street but say you only want a prescription, then take that and use it online?

if so has anyone got any recommendations on where to go on the high street and wear to go online? Also I know rectangular frames suit me. Should I be looking at any particular brand of glasses or are they pretty much all the same?

thanks very much

Did you work in an opticians for long @PriamFarrl ? A prescription of +1.00/-0.50 x180 means that one bit of the eye is +1.00 and the other bit is +0.50. If you have a +1.50 add, a +2.50 is going to be too strong for anything apart from very close reading. Off the shelf readers are okay as a back up, but they're not great (for most people) as a first pair.

OP - have a test first and then go from there. It could be that you have a very different prescription in one eye than the other, or you have a small or large distance between your eyes or you need varifocals (which don't work if you buy them online). See what they opticians you have the test done at charge you, if it's too expensive, have a look online or at another opticians.

I've worn glasses all my life and I get my sight test done at an independent optician - they are legally required to give you a copy of your prescription to take away. I then take it to Asda/Specavers/Boots who generally have cheaper and more stylish frames. Specsavers buy one get one free is good as you can get sunglasses too.

Buying glasses online requires the details from the prescription but it also needs the distance between your two pupils. The optician isn't required to give you this piece of info for free. So to get glasses online you either have to try and measure it yourself or convince the optician to do it (for which they may refuse, or charge, if you aren't going to buy glasses from them).

I found Specsavers quite pushy for selling glasses. I then went to a local independent optician, good service but expensive glasses. I now go to Boots and have contacts for work and glasses for home. I am really happy with their service and you can get some good discounts and also points on your purchases.

Go to see savers. Really good quick service and glasses very reasonable price

Specsavers

Yes, ten years and very highly trained thanks for asking.
Off the shelf readers are just fine.

Get your first glasses in-store so they will then be measured to the fit to your face and eyes. The glasses frame will have a set of numbers stamped on the inside of an arm: these are your measurements. If you choose to buy online in the future, it helps to know these as it will improve the fit.

Even if your eyesight is good, you should still have your eyes tested as the examination also checks the health of the eye and can spot changes that indicate other health issues long before you would notice symptoms.

Whilst you're there, get a hearing test. Even if it's fine (most likely outcome), it then gives a baseline to assess any future tests against.

Thank you. I did have my hearing tested a few years back through my work abd it was that of an eighteen years old! That causes it’s own issues to be honest but at least I know my ears are fine.

Make an appointment with Specsavers. They do it all and explain everything.

I get a yearly eye test free anyway (except £10 for the optional extra retina scan) because DF had glaucoma. As I'm 61, unsurprisingly I'm short slighted. The optician doesn't place any pressure on me at all to get prescription specs there. I just pick up some of appropriate strength from the supermarket or online - I have a pair pretty much everywhere I may need to read so need quantity not ( for me) unnecessary quality or style.

Fantastic! I will defo get tested and go from there.

0.25 is the minimum
It goes up in 0.25 increments
You might even have 0.00 sph but a higher cyl number. That's not uncommon
It depends whether you're short or long sighted on whether it's + or - too

I can't use off the peg glasses either, they make me feel weird but apparently I have one eye that is slightly short sighted and one that's slightly long sighted so don't think off the peg suit everybody🤓

Ah that’s good to know. I’m having difficulty with reading small fonts close up. It’s blurry.