A question about the cost of glasses

[doglikescheeseontoast]

Can I ask what people expect to pay for glasses these days? Today I chose a pair of frames that cost just under £150 - I needed them to have verifiocal lenses (as per a previous prescription), and I was heavily 'encouraged' to have a driving tint to them as well. What would anyone expect to pay for the above?

My ultra-thin varifocals lenses cost me about 400 quid. I’d set my heart on a particular set of frames which restricted my ability to go to cheaper suppliers, so it came in at around 600 quid all in even though I compared prices everywhere I could think of. My choice of course - I’m lucky enough to be able to afford it without living on baked beans and the frames are on my face for 15 hours a day 365 days a year so I’m not prepared to compromise. I’ve tried Spec Savers in the past and they just didn’t have what I wanted (DH and DS are entirely happy with them though).

What is your prescription op ?

You may find you can buy the frames cheaper on line and just get the lenses from the Optician. DH did this with Persol frames and saved £150. He has varifocals so no saving there. Sunglasses for driving ordered online (Rayban) were loads cheaper. I bought Celine frames for DD and local optician did lenses. This can help with cost of good frames and we are a bit designer led in this house! I couldn't find my Dior frames in line!

Why do you need varifocals for driving though? Can you not read the speedo with distance lenses?

My last pair two pairs have been £75 all in. I only wear for pc / reading. I can also claim it back from a health scheme at work, so new glasses every year up to the value of £100 actually cost me nothing.

I’ve paid that because I have complicated eyes and I wear glasss everyday of my life. They are the most expensive single item I buy - I get new ones every three years and am about to have to get varifocals. I’m expecting to pay £££ouch.

They sit in front of my actual face though - so I think they’re worth it.

I had my eyes tested last month & needed a new prescription. Frames seem to have shot up in price on the High Street & they only seem to have the more expensive ones on show. My existing frames were in good condition so just went for reglazing from direct sight - online firm. You send up your existing glasses & scan in the prescription & they replace the lenses - cost me about £37. Took a week from ordering to get the new glasses.

I pay £400-£500 including frames. I'm very short sighted, astigmatic plus now need Vari focals and I pay extra to avoid jam jar lenses. I buy the best frames I can afford and spend weeks, sometimes months choosing them. I'll skimp on everything else before I skimp on my specs - they're the only thing I wear all day, every day.

coat of frame £90 - 130
cost of lenses £100

single vision, no tints or coatings.

second pair for reading, same price.

varifocals are always going to be more due to complaex lenses.

I've just bought my first pair of varifocals from Asda - they were £45 including lenses, frame, anti glare coating, thinning if necessary - and I'm really happy with them. I'd not had varifocals before, so didn't want to commit to a huge expense, so thought I'd give these a go, I'm very glad I did.

I’ve always paid around £400 due to complicated prescription and needing titanium frames due to allergies
Then I started needing varifocal too
Last pair were just under £900!!!!
Took my breath away - but have to say every day I’m so glad I did
My amazing optician does an interest free payment plan - the service is second to none you get all sorts of free extras like insurance - still costs less than my phone contract
For the first time in years since I had to give up contact lenses - I don’t know I’m wearing them, feel just as attractive and can see better than I have for a long time
If you are in Lancs feel free to message me if you want details - they have won national awards for optical excellence

I don't wear varifocals (yet) but am fairly short sightsighted and have astigmatism, but not a very complicated / unusual prescription I think.

My glasses, super lightweight and comfy to wear, are around £400 for the frames and I probably pay at least £200 for extra thin lenses. But I do wear my glasses constantly, every day, so cost per wear is actually acceptable for me.

I wear varifocals, I have astigmatism in one eye, and I have my lenses as thinned as much as possible (hate the thought of my lenses looking like milk bottles). Last set of Nikon lenses cost around £400. That was on top of an expensive pair (£300+) of Lindberg frames. All from an independent (and highly regarded) optician in east/central London. My previous glasses (from the same shop) were a similar overall price (approx £800 all-in) but with Mykita frames. Expensive but worth it as both pairs look fabulous!

Glasses £125 but needs thinning .... As nearly blind... £450... Can't live without them as can't see the end of my nose !!!

I am a -11 in both eyes so hugely expensive because no one will sell frames without the thinnest lens. Last pair were around £300 - I get free frames though with Specsavers lens mail contact lens scheme and some money off with NHS complex prescription voucher.

The price you have paid seems a lot, if you have a normal prescription.

My prescription is -11 and I generally wear contact lenses. Got my glasses for £40 from Asda which includes thinning. Think they've gone up to £50 now but I will use them again when I change my glasses

MirandaWest that is amazing - I am going to check it out now - I desperately need new glasses but have been put off by the cost!

DH has varifocals now and I think paid a bit over £100 for two pairs (one ordinary and one sunglasses)

Asda include thinning in the cost of the glasses which is good for people with prescriptions like mine

Mister Specs (European). I did an online order recently with my new prescription and exactly the same glasses (basic reading) that were £230 in Boots were delivered to my home three days after ordering for £120.

Must add that the only other very mild pair of specs I have ever had came from a small time independent opticians and cost me about £250 for a frame plus single simple lens.

I go to an independent optician and all of their frames are £50 each. Depending on the lenses you want (eg costs more for thinning etc) it's about £150 all in and they are very quirky and interesting with no branding.

I only ever go to Specsavers. Boots and vision express quoted my upwards of 600 for basic frames plus the lenses I need. This is because my lenses have to be ordered in specially, and cost at least £250 on their own. I am nearly -17 in both eyes.

Asda opticians do basic frames with any level of thinning included for £45. I'm very short sighted and this is the cheapest way to get thinning. All the other companies add on a lot to think to different levels. So annoying.

*thin