Specsavers High - Prescription

[Lomita277]

I am looking to find out if there are some high minus prescription people with varifocals out there who have used Specsavers for lenses and are happy with them. I've had a really bad dry eye problem (contacts wearer 30 + years) and I just can't tolerate them any more.

I have two close friends who are optometrists, but I find that often I have bought glasses from them which after wearing a few times, I really don't like. It's a bit like I feel obligated to pick something that they have.

About 5 years ago, I went to my local Specsavers and wanted to try on frames. The manager looked at my prescription (over -8.00 with very small astigmatism) and she basically said, sorry, they couldn't help me and that I would never be happy with the lenses I would get. I was really surprised as I got a pair of single vision reading lenses from them, which for me would have been about -6.00 and I found them excellent.

Has anyone with a similar prescription been happy with Specsavers varifocals?

I’ve got a higher prescription than that and have never had any issues getting glasses from Specsavers.

My current glasses are varifocals from Specsavers. I'm -10 in one eye and -8.75 in the other. Took a bit of getting used to but got there eventually

Is the problem that they don't do a prescription higher than -8? Why did she think you wouldn't be happy with them? My prescription is much less, so can't help in that regard, but I have used specsavers a few times.

I found them appalling in terms of lack of any customer service and made me feel like another number on their conveyor belt. I even went to a different branch 2hrs away when I moved- and they were just the same! 1 branch sent my glasses off to replace the lenses for a different prescription. I waited weeks for each pair to be done. In the end- they replaced the exact same strength on lens in both glasses then refused to believe they were the same! My advice is to find a local, independent optician.

I have them and I'm fine with them. I have mine thinned. For funsies I looked my prescribe up with one of the cheap online opticians and the Specsavers ones were more expensive than my Specsavers ones.

On the other hand DH has moved to Boots because Specsavers couldn't get his lenses right.

I would go to somewhere else. Specsavers are not good.
I got a wrong prescription, and others have said the same from other branches.

I’m confused is it the lenses you aren’t happy with or the frames? If it’s frames - shop around, even on line. You can buy unglazed frames then take them and your prescription elsewhere to be glazed. If it’s the lenses, then buy the best lenses you can afford. Be honest with the optician regarding what you didn’t like about previous lenses eg reading area being too small or set too high. It might well be that you simply prefer separate distance and reading glasses, and have an additional dedicated mid vision pair for computer use (I have a pair specifically glazed to allow me to read music at a set mid vision distance for example)
edit to add. I find specsavers a bit rushed and conveyor belt service. I find vision express to be very good!

My prescription is higher than that and I always use Specsavers. My only gripe is that the ultra thin lenses aren’t actually that thin so I usually choose a thicker frame to hide the overhang from the lens. I’ve heard Asda opticians are good for strong prescriptions as they don’t charge extra for lens thinning.

I have a high prescription (7s) and also wear contact lenses - RGP, not soft. I experimented with soft lenses for situations where I might lose a lens, e.g., dinghy sailing and swimming, but couldn't get on with the way they seemed to "cling" to the surface of my eyes. Maybe try RGPs before you completely give up on contact lenses?

Also, I took my prescription from an independent optician to Asda and their glasses were fine, but even their thinnest lenses would have protruded from a conventional frame, and given the dreaded "bottle bottom" look, so I opted for a rimless pair. They're varifocals and are just fine, but I only wear them briefly in the mornings and evenings.

I'm seriously considering lens replacement in order to get off the contact lens/spectacles merry-go-round. It's not cheap, but I know a few people who've taken the plunge and say it's changed their lives.

I've found Specsavers the best for customer service and explaining glasses to me so I can make an informed choice. One angel guy spent nearly 2 hours with me on a busy Saturday. Have you got a different branch nearby that you can try?

Apparently they do lenses over -8 but she specifically said they wouldn't be very good and that the independent ones would be easier to get used to...

When I go to the independent opticians owned by my friends, the lenses are always spot on. I never had any problems with the varifocal or with the prescription given. Once or twice they had manufacturer's defects and they were replaced right away.

It's just the frames that I don't like, and now that I'm wearing glasses all the time, I wanted to get two pairs so I can change around and I know Specsavers have good deals for that.

I have high presription varifocals from Specsavers and honestly they have been variable.
The first pair I had no trouble with but when I came to get a replacement it was a real pita. I had to return them 4 times!! Took 2 eye tests, they tried to tell me I couldnt have my prescription as a varifocal anymore...but after alot of tweaking and changing of lens type I finally got there!
Customer service is also variable Ive found...in my local branch they have some lovely people and some complete knobs!

@Lomita277 then shop around and buy the frames you like and get your friendly optician to do the lenses. There are no frame police - otherwise I would definitely be in jail !! I like to be able to change my glasses.

Thanks for the encouragement, I would like to have a few frame options for sure. I aways think of Amy Wong in "Always be my maybe" - she has so many fabulous and different frames.

You can get frames online but maybe your friendly optician might be able to advise on the size and type of frame that would suit your prescription.

I have a higher prescription than that and love my spcsafers glasses and varifocals.

@Lomita277 I collect my old frames and get them reglazed, plus I usually buy one complete new set when I get a new prescription. (So many designs and colours!) The old ones I get reglazed I usually do either over a few months to spread the cost or ask if there’s any discount going or send them to glasses direct - just depends on which way is the cheapest for reglazing! I find frames last a long time unless they are rimless, for some reason I seem to snap the arms on those.
I’ve found online places seem to have the more unusual frames and can be cheaper than high street stores. Just make sure you buy the right frame width for face.