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?

Another vote for Asda from me: they do three different ranges, economy, as it were, mid range and designer range. I think mine were just over £100 which are varifocals, thinned, and have reactolite (or similar). DH is on his second pair - we have been pleased with all three pairs.

Those of you who order online, how do you know the frames fit and suit your face and for varifocals that the lens changes are in the right place?

Asda- £45. They're great.

I second glasses direct - they’re amazing and so cheap I’ve taken to buying glasses as a new hobby!

I don't know about varifocals, but the zenni website has an option to upload your photo and "try on" the frames. I know what frame shapes I generally prefer, and each frame has sizes listed, so it has always been fine.

I only use my glasses for work (at the pc) and I could never afford to spend over £50 a pair.
I pay for my tests then buy my glasses from Select Specs. They let you put your prescription in. They don't feel like the best quality but they do the job if you don't have to constantly wear them

I think varifocals would be a little difficult .. I think they measure where you look in store?

Ok so ... recommendations for best online glasses store?

Also stores online that will fit new lenses in your own frames?

Asda for me too - I'm really shortsighted, -11 one eye, -13 the other. I got 2 pairs of varifocals, both really thinned, one pair with a a sunglasses tint, for £119. Less than £60 a pair. That was from their designer range, probably less from their basics range. No contest as far as I'm concerned.

I have just sent mine off to here for new lenses.

They have a detailed form/info sheet for varifocals but I have thrown it away.

Just, I bought the frames I had tried on in Boots online, the best of those I tried on.

Mister specs will send you four pairs of frames at a time to try on before you choose to have your prescription made up.

If it makes you feel better OP, I have just paid £405 for varifocals lenses only, using my old frames. Again a small independent optician. I do not have a particularly complaint prescription.

I used to go to Specsavers but have had some problems and decided to go for the premium lenses and the optician my GP recommends. I found the optimetrists at our local Specsavers always change and seem very young so fairly newly qualified.

At the other end of the spectrum I buy single vision glasses and sunglasses from glassesdirecf! I just think varifocals need a more personal touch.

Talking to a different independent optician in a non business context, he did explain that he standard of varifocals offered by the big chains are often incomparable quality wise to those you can get from a good independent. Which is why I decided to go for it this time.

I do not have a complicated prescription I meant not complaint one!

I wear Asda super-thinned, varifocal specs - 2 pairs for about £120. Never had a problem with them, don't know what better quality / dearer lenses could provide that these don't.

eggsy I am not sure either, just giving it a go this once. I won’t repeat if I don’t think it is worth it. I pick up the glasses in a week.

Asda here too £40 total with thinned scratch resistant lenses.

Don't worry OP, my glasses cost £600 all in. I had some expensive rimless frames like this