Online Glasses.
Discussion
I’ve just had my eyes tested and need my glasses updated.
I left one pair to have the lenses changed but was thinking of just going online for the other pair I use. Normally I’m an advocate of using your local physical store but this time it felt they didn’t do nearly as thorough test as they used to.
Anyway, a long way to say do you have any recommendations, things to look out for etc?
SelectSpecs are ok. Unsurprisingly £40 online frames aren't as good as the £200 ones from a shop so don't think going cheap gets you the same product. You'll need your PD (Pupillary Distance) & it's not part of your prescription. I would only go online for simple prescriptions, not varifocals or similar.
Mr Pointy said:
SelectSpecs are ok. Unsurprisingly £40 online frames aren't as good as the £200 ones from a shop so don't think going cheap gets you the same product. You'll need your PD (Pupillary Distance) & it's not part of your prescription. I would only go online for simple prescriptions, not varifocals or similar.
You can request PD when getting a prescription. I've bought bifocals online which are fine, varifocals might be a step too far.otherman said:
Mr Pointy said:
SelectSpecs are ok. Unsurprisingly £40 online frames aren't as good as the £200 ones from a shop so don't think going cheap gets you the same product. You'll need your PD (Pupillary Distance) & it's not part of your prescription. I would only go online for simple prescriptions, not varifocals or similar.
You can request PD when getting a prescription. I've bought bifocals online which are fine, varifocals might be a step too far.I have used goggles 4 U, really cheap, came quickly. I went for some funny blue lenses but they were not what I was expecting, OK quality but I knew I was ordering an experiment - my kids have not been able to break them yet, so they must be made out of um-obtanium or something! (they can break a brick just by looking at it)
I asked nicely and although spec savers cannot tell you your PD, they can write it down on a bit of paper for you - this number was very similar to the number that goggles 4 U told me from using the webcam on my computer.
I would order again, lots of choice.
I asked nicely and although spec savers cannot tell you your PD, they can write it down on a bit of paper for you - this number was very similar to the number that goggles 4 U told me from using the webcam on my computer.
I would order again, lots of choice.
I’ve always found it bizarre that you pay for an eye test but the optician doesn’t have to provide you all the information you need (pupil distance). I realise they might want to hold back on providing details but then why give you any details at all, why not keep it all secret?
It’s like a garage refusing to say what work needed doing to repair your car, but handing over a bill regardless
Next time I might ring round a few asking if they’ll provide it, as I only want the eye test and not to purchase anything from them.
It’s like a garage refusing to say what work needed doing to repair your car, but handing over a bill regardless
Next time I might ring round a few asking if they’ll provide it, as I only want the eye test and not to purchase anything from them.
Edited by The Gauge on Friday 2nd May 07:02
In terms of what’s written on the prescription: the optometrists are complying with the (legal) requirements (which does not include a pd).
On occasion the the PD may actually differ from the centration distance (which is what’s used to “centre” your spectacle lenses), these are dispensing measurements (rather than sight test measurements) so best to have whoever is dispensing/supplying the spectacles taking the measurements.
(And some optometrists will not have taken a pd measurement during the sight test)
The reality is that optometry practices survive on the basis of spectacle sales. To change this: we’d have to go to a situation where there was a mass withdrawal from NHS sight provision and people were charged £150-200 for their sight test…
On occasion the the PD may actually differ from the centration distance (which is what’s used to “centre” your spectacle lenses), these are dispensing measurements (rather than sight test measurements) so best to have whoever is dispensing/supplying the spectacles taking the measurements.
(And some optometrists will not have taken a pd measurement during the sight test)
The reality is that optometry practices survive on the basis of spectacle sales. To change this: we’d have to go to a situation where there was a mass withdrawal from NHS sight provision and people were charged £150-200 for their sight test…
Yaboo said:
In terms of what’s written on the prescription: the optometrists are complying with the (legal) requirements (which does not include a pd).
On occasion the the PD may actually differ from the centration distance (which is what’s used to “centre” your spectacle lenses), these are dispensing measurements (rather than sight test measurements) so best to have whoever is dispensing/supplying the spectacles taking the measurements.
(And some optometrists will not have taken a pd measurement during the sight test)
The reality is that optometry practices survive on the basis of spectacle sales. To change this: we’d have to go to a situation where there was a mass withdrawal from NHS sight provision and people were charged £150-200 for their sight test…
Nobody would have a problem with this if the opticians didn't try to scam us with a 1000% mark-up on all their specs. Everyone would be happy for the optician to provide them with their specs simply for the convenience factor and obviously having a professional do the measurements to ensure the specs fit right and work first time, but when you can buy the same specs for £15 online can you really blame the customer for choosing not to participate in their scam? On occasion the the PD may actually differ from the centration distance (which is what’s used to “centre” your spectacle lenses), these are dispensing measurements (rather than sight test measurements) so best to have whoever is dispensing/supplying the spectacles taking the measurements.
(And some optometrists will not have taken a pd measurement during the sight test)
The reality is that optometry practices survive on the basis of spectacle sales. To change this: we’d have to go to a situation where there was a mass withdrawal from NHS sight provision and people were charged £150-200 for their sight test…
For many people (including myself), we only need a pair of cheap-ass readers so we can read the 6pt font on food labels and to read the text on a monitor - we don't care what they look like so long as they fit and work. Why can't the opticians provide these at a sensible price instead of everything starting at £150 ?
If B&M call sell me a pair of cheap-ass 1.25 readers for £2 then the opticians need to find some middle ground where they can offer a test and a cheap pair of specs 'package' for a sensible price for those people who don't care about designer specs and don't want to pay for them. Essentially, the opticians are sealing their own fate by stubbornly refusing to adapt their business model to move with times of internet specs retailers.
Blackmailing your customers into buying a pair of 1000% mark-up specs from them by refusing to give them their essential PD measurement just ensures they get a negative review on google and the customer telling all their friends and family never to use them. A business model that relies on every customer being dumb enough to not know they can buy all the specs on the display stand for buttons online is one that is on borrowed time.
Edited by Tisy on Friday 2nd May 08:27
I've used GlassesDirect a couple of times with no issues. I've found a model of specs I like, thatfits me well so have stuck with it. And its from their cheapest range! Given the price I might dabble with trying a pair of variofocal next as I've got three pairs that are for different things - Reading, Computer and Long Distance. I don't really need the latter as my eyesight for driving is at the standard and whilst they can sharpen things up they blur the dash instruments and I get this wide 'spacial awareness' feeling probably as a result of not being used to wearing them for long enough?
I've used a few brick and mortar opticians and received poor service.
Specsavers reached into my pocket for £300 for a pair of glasses that L water discovered didn't fit me.
I finally found a good one who I will stick with whilst ever they are good, and I used them for a pair of varifocal glasses and some contact lenses. Sadly being a small indie opticians means their range of frames is small, and their prices are high.
Before I knew I'd benefit from varifocals I bought single vision glasses online using glassesdirect and goggles4u and was happy enough.
If I didn't need varifocals and only needed single vision I would buy online again.
Specsavers reached into my pocket for £300 for a pair of glasses that L water discovered didn't fit me.
I finally found a good one who I will stick with whilst ever they are good, and I used them for a pair of varifocal glasses and some contact lenses. Sadly being a small indie opticians means their range of frames is small, and their prices are high.
Before I knew I'd benefit from varifocals I bought single vision glasses online using glassesdirect and goggles4u and was happy enough.
If I didn't need varifocals and only needed single vision I would buy online again.
Drawweight said:
I’ve just had my eyes tested and need my glasses updated.
I left one pair to have the lenses changed but was thinking of just going online for the other pair I use. Normally I’m an advocate of using your local physical store but this time it felt they didn’t do nearly as thorough test as they used to.
Anyway, a long way to say do you have any recommendations, things to look out for etc?
I've bought my last couple of pairs from Asda's optician.I left one pair to have the lenses changed but was thinking of just going online for the other pair I use. Normally I’m an advocate of using your local physical store but this time it felt they didn’t do nearly as thorough test as they used to.
Anyway, a long way to say do you have any recommendations, things to look out for etc?
They're not as cheap as online but the price is the price. No extras for thinning, varifocals etc.
mcflurry said:
I've bought my last couple of pairs from Asda's optician.
They're not as cheap as online but the price is the price. No extras for thinning, varifocals etc.
My wife buys hers from Asda's optician. Their 2 for 1 offers is not too bad pricewise. Plus I didn't realise there's a lot of work goes in to arriving at the correct PD using some sort of handheld optical device.They're not as cheap as online but the price is the price. No extras for thinning, varifocals etc.
I've used glasses direct for spare emergency pairs for many years, they have been good.
If you get a special offer, sometimes through Martin Lewis moneysaving, they can be very cheap.
You can find out your PD from a phone app now, I've had mine measured using several methods at the opticians and it's the same reading as the app.
However, for my last pair I actually just used specsavers as the total cost if you want lens upgrades and have a discount code for them was almost the same price as the online services.
If you get a special offer, sometimes through Martin Lewis moneysaving, they can be very cheap.
You can find out your PD from a phone app now, I've had mine measured using several methods at the opticians and it's the same reading as the app.
However, for my last pair I actually just used specsavers as the total cost if you want lens upgrades and have a discount code for them was almost the same price as the online services.
I used Pretavoir for an expensive pair and regret it. They never had the fit right and claimed that the shape of the lens my prescription required meant the glasses couldn't sit straight on my face. Have gone back to a high street optician, I'm paying more but I won't feel so self-conscious everytime I see myself on a webcam.
Wings said:
Recently had eye test with pd supplied, last test being 2017. Ordered online via Specky4eyes, two pairs for £65. Arrived today, and I can not see any difference in the strength of the glasses I purchased in 2017 and the new prescription glasses received today.
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