Do you wear glasses? Please share your memory of wearing them for the first time and your tips on getting them for the first time with Specsavers - you could win £250 NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

The team at Specsavers would love to hear your story of when you first put on a pair of glasses and realised what you were missing - did you have that "wow" moment? How life changing it is to have your vision corrected for the first time? They'd also love to hear your tips for other people on wearing specs for the first time - whether they are for a long or short sighted prescription.

Specsavers say "when you choose Specsavers Opticians you are in safe hands - as shown by a YouGov 2014 survey*, Specsavers has been voted the most trusted optician in the UK. We always completely follow the guidelines set out by the General Optical Council - this means that all our glasses are professionally fitted under the supervision of a qualified optician. Every pair of glasses is individually made to meet your vision requirements and lifestyle needs - your dispenser will check that your new glasses fit properly and that you have clear, comfortable vision, making any necessary adjustments to ensure a perfect fit – making getting that first pair a easy!"

Share your thoughts and everyone who does will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £250 voucher from here

Please note Specsavers may use your comments - anon of course - on their pages on MN, on their social media or possibly elsewhere - please only post if you're happy with this.

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

I have had glasses for nearly 20 years but, after getting them, in a very fetching, very gold frame, another optician told me I had been conned. Fast forward 18 years and I do need them. So, frugal me, I recycle the lovely gold ones (2 pairs) for new lenses. My children refuse to be seen with me. I can't wear them at school (my children go there) and I am allergic to the cheap metal.

I decided to go for an offer in Specsavers and got 2 lovely pairs which have plastic frames - no itches, no red rashes, no angry teens. And, major bonus, I can see!!

I was 19 and at Uni in London. I realised I couldn't see what was written on the blackboard.
I had exchanged a small all girls classroom for a 200 seater lecture hall full of physics students. In amongst the large numbers of 'geeky' boys (I was young!) were a few cool guys, and they hung out in the back row. I was desperate to be accepted, but unfortunately all the lovely Greek symbols on the boards were illegible from there.
I went to an opticians on Oxford St. I remember coming out and looking down the full length of the street. All the buildings all sharply in perspective running away into a focal point that was, amazingly to me, in focus! It was a pivotal moment. 25 years ago, yet burned into my mind. The detail!
I remember it took a long time for it to stop feeling like I was looking into a microscope, and that the bike ride back to halls was hard as my depth perception had altered and I didn't trust what I was seeing.
It was a big change. In a way I felt very exposed, as if I had somehow come into focus for everyone else, where previously I had been blurred too...

Got my first glasses when I was about 10. They were blue NHS plastic frames.

Can't remember much about how I felt at the time - I think I was just relieved that the blackboard wasn't blurry and that I could see the TV.

I do remember 7 years later when I got contact lenses walking down to the shops and being astounded at how sharp and bright everything seemed.

During my last year at primary school I remember struggling in a maths class because I couldn't see the numbers on the blackboard. I thought this was just normal! I finally got a pair of glasses in my first year of secondary school. I came home from school and put on my new thin black rimmed glasses while standing in our living room. We had a patterned carpet and it just bounced right out at me! I literally jumped back! I was in shock! Then I went outside and was amazed by all the detail, I could see the leaves on the trees and everything oozed colour. I had being living in a fuzzy blur and didn't even know it wasn't the norm!

During my last year at primary school I remember struggling in a maths class because I couldn't see the numbers on the blackboard. I thought this was just normal! I finally got a pair of glasses in my first year of secondary school. I came home from school and put on my new thin black rimmed glasses while standing in our living room. We had a patterned carpet and it just bounced right out at me! I literally jumped back! I was in shock! Then I went outside and was amazed by all the detail, I could see the leaves on the trees and everything oozed colour. I had being living in a fuzzy blur and didn't even know it wasn't the norm!

Now I wear a combination of contact lenses and glasses from Specsavers. I give my eyes a break in the evenings and weekends during the day and wear my glasses instead of my lenses.

I was 7 years old and it was a long time ago. The glasses were brown with hard wires to go round yer ears. They were uncomfortable and I seem to remember avoiding wearing them unless absolutely necessary.

Glasses are so much better now - my son has worn them since age 3 and has never complained about them being uncomfortable

Dawn...another one who looked like Nana Mouskouri!! I actually destroyed that school photo! I was about 6..my DB had hearing problems so had the TV loud, I had to sit close so complained about the noise...teachers thought I was a cheat as copied everyone I sat next too...I didn't realize I couldn't see...I remember vividly coming out of the optician and looking down the High street and WOW!...that was 46 years ago and I still remember it like it was yesterday.....funny enough I went on a visit to my birth place and stood out side that optician...just stood and drank in the scene...
Another incident I remember....got new glasses but I felt sick with them...now I'd worn glasses since I was 6 so I knew what I was talking about...I went back in next day (18 mile round trip and £3 on the bus with DCs) to be told they were OK and I would just have to get used to them...anyway after another few trips back, I refused to leave until this was sorted...still feeling sick and dizzy...finally someone had a good look...me sitting 'blind' for nearly an hour...turned out that they had put the lenses in upside down!!...I have quite an astigmatism....I was quite annoyed as it had cost a fair bit of time and money....

And Gok Wan has worn my glasses....he said they were very stylish...and I am more short sighted than him!

I got my first pair of glasses in primary 2, after an embarrassing Nativity play which involved me squinting and screwing up my face the entire way through... It became quite clear to the audience that 'That kid needs glasses!'

It was specsavers that I went to, I got some mint green, round eyed glasses that made me look like a little owl. But they had Mickey Mouse on the sides so I was officially the coolest child ever. (Whilst simultaneously looking like an owl.)

My friend was gutted that she had 20:20 eyesight as she wanted them too.

I wore my glasses for 25 years and then I got laser surgery. I still miss my glasses though so I have a couple of vanity pairs with fake lenses.

I remember getting my first glasses when I was about 10, I hated them and was so embarrassed to go into school but no-one thought anything of it! I've still got that first pair and when I look at them now they're typical Deidre Barlow!!!!

I was about 15 and I hated having to wear them.

I'm just about to get my first pair so this is a useful read (the bits I can see anyway!)

I found out I needed glasses in march, I went to an indecent shop (doing good for the local economy and all that) but stupidly felt pressured into buying two pairs of expensive glasses. I've already lost one pair, I hate the others. They don't suit me, and I feel ripped off everytime I wear them!
I need to keep them a while longer to justify the price but can't wait until I get some more

I was 7 when I got my first pair, a brown plastic NHS frame. My teacher wore glasses so I was chuffed because I adored her. I was also delighted to be able to see clearly. I remember my first eye test and my first optician really well - she was absolutely lovely and had a massive, looping signature.

Three of my four dc wear glasses and I'm expecting my youngest to need them at her next eye test. They love them, we use specsavers and they have a fantastic range of frames for children so there's something for all of them. The staff went above and beyond customer service wise with the two who had their eye tests most recently, I was very, very impressed.

I got my first pair at 28, and was amazed at how easy it was to read
without squinting,. One sad part about it was my husband looked so much older, no longer the young boy I'd married but ther I looked older to, so never mind. There are so many choices in frames ect noe they'er definetly a fashion accessory and I tried contacts but couldn't get on with them. so its glasses for me all the way

Interestingly I got my first pair of glasses in my mid 20's, I started off wearing contact lenses (I think my mother was afraid I would never find a boyfriend with glasses) when I was about 18. It was a revelation to be able to read off the boards in lecture theatres and not have to squint or sit in the front row! I had this lovely big pair, almost Jackie 0 sunglasses like, they framed my 80's perm beautifully! I remember driving for the first time with them , having to break suddenly (my fault), a man in the other car shouted "you're lucky you are pretty!, and drove off! That's when I realised specs were cool!

I was in secondary school and could t really see the board properly. I'd go home and complain but no one took me seriously. Majority of my siblings and my dad wore glasses so in the end they knew it had to be sorted out. Tried on my sister's glasses and that was it the world was never blurry again. Iv now been told that my DS need glasses. She is 5! so pretty early for her but apparently she only needs it to fix an issue with her eye unlike me who is practically blind without it.

I was 12 and thought it was normal to have to squint to see the blackboard before I was finally tested! So my kids had their eyes tested at an early age and I recommend that to all mums.

I was 7 (in 1977) and I was stuggling to read the blackboard at school. The teacher told my parents, my eyes were tested and then I had glasses. At first I was embarrassed (they got me pink ones!!) and I would take them off as soon as I got to school. But then I was really struggling to see so started wearing them and have never looked back (although glasses are much nicer now compared to 1977!)

I got my first specs in the 80s and I personalised them with stickers on the corners (looking back, I must have been influenced by dame edna everidge) but I was sooooo so happy to have them. I felt very special. I use the optician staff to help me choose nowadays. I find it hard to see if something suits me or not, but they do this job every day so I trust their experience.

I dont but my hubby does, a glasses repair kit is a must!

When I got my first pair of glasses aged 12 the dispensing optician told me "now, it's not true ... boys do make passes..." Thirty years later that comment has stayed me with. I hated being seen in my glasses and still feel very uncomfortable. People tell me they look great or don't even notice I'm wearing them on the rare days I don't put my lenses in.

When I got contact lenses at the age of 17 I was amazed and in awe of everything around me - mainly because I'd struggled without glasses as much as I could for the last five years.

My 10 year old son has recently been prescribed glasses - he hates them. I am trying to wear my glasses more around him but it's hard because I know full well how it feels :(

I remember being amazed, but also slightly disorientated as the pavement seemed to be sloping uphill!
I get a bit forgetful to get new lenses, and the same revelation happens quite often once I realise how bad Ive let my eyesight get!!

The sudden realisation that I was going to have to wear them for the rest of my life. I was suddenly old, at 45, and no chance of contacts as I have very very dry eyes. that feeling was devastating for me. I have problems keeping them clean, even 10 years later, I still resent them.

I have to say my Specsavers glasses even though I spent £450 ( bogof) on them were poor quality and ended up being refunded in full after 3 months. I use an independent who is superb.