Best Opticians?
 

I use Varifocal Glasses with Transitions Lenses in, i've mainly used either Allens or Dolland & Aitchison Opticians previously. Because i've got a fairly strong prescription, i like to order the thinner lenses, which are lighter on the nose. The price of my last pair of specs, was £500 which aint cheap.

I'm really due for an eyetest & probably new specs about now and would like to get the cost down if at all possible. I've done a quick online check with Glasses Direct and can get something similar for around £325 and i've also checked Specsavers online for a quote, and seem to be able to get a pair similar for round about £350. I'm a bit dubious with my prescription, ordering online, so was wondering if anyone else had done this, and also what your experience both pricewise and service wise was at our local opticians?

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Best Opticians?
 

I have used Specsavers for quite a number of years, but not online. I too have varifocals, and my last pair about 12 months ago, cost me under £200. It may, if possible, be better for you to go into the shop, you may also get a good deal on a pair of glasses as well, as they often have good offers on.

Re: Best Opticians?
 

I use bi-focals taggy, was wi specsavers fer years, wasn't happy so switched to allens about 4 yrs ago, after paris recommended em, had no complaints wi them, apart from fact last test a couple months ago they told me i was starting wi cataracts on both lamps,:D

Re: Best Opticians?
 

Varifocals are useless for men, but OK for women. Only tried them once for a short time, changed them for bifocals.
Males are geneticaly imprinted to stand still and move their eyes, from the old hunter gatherer days.
Whilst women point their noses at every thing and flit from thing to thing like butterflies.
Notice that women have to be looking at the person talking to them, and when they are in a group, they spin like tops. Put 3 women in a car and its dangerous, can't stop talking and turning their heads.
And before you feminists start braying just observe a group of women and look where your going when your driving.
Retlaw.

Re: Best Opticians?
 

I have bought glasses online twice and been pleased with the goods.
I have a very strong prescription(astigmatism) too and prefer thin lenses.
When I started filling in my prescription details I found that one eye was 'off their scale' (it was so strong).

I emailed them and they were able to acommodate me at a small extra charge above the norm. They charge extra for thin lenses too, but even when those extras are added the glasses worked out much cheaper than a high st optician.

Another advantage I found was that you can chose a frame which is a proper fit to your nose and ears, by looking at the sizes on a comfy pair you have and ordering that size.
Opticians on the High St seem to stock frames too small for me.

There are several online opticians - I think the one I used was called
lowcostspecs*

*PS I have just googled for them and can't find the site, but there are dozens of them to browse

Re: Best Opticians?
 

Pure Vision on Broadway are very good, would recommend them anytime:)

Re: Best Opticians?
 

PPS - they were also able to supply 'middle distance' lenses for computer use - just make sure that the optician who tests you puts the relevant note about it on your prescription.

Re: Best Opticians?
 

another PPS
found the one I used
Low Cost Spex online prescription glasses

Re: Best Opticians?
 

We are next door to an opticians, Optical Direct at altham, so anyone who wears glasses here, (including me for reading) uses them, dont know how they compare on price though because i have never checked!

Re: Best Opticians?
 

Get Paris to give um a rub wi emery paper, thad'll sort um out:D:p

Re: Best Opticians?
 

I've got an optician that comes to your home, had an eye test and got two pair of glasses for £60

Re: Best Opticians?
 

Thanks for all your replies and they've given me some food for thought now as well as some more online and local opticians to look at!

I was very surprised to find Specsavers online price around £150 cheaper than either Allens or Dolland and Aitchinson, where i've usually bought my specs over the years. I'm assuming their in store price should be the same or similar to their online one, but will probably call in next week to check this out.

Mine work out quite expensive because they are both the thin varifocals because of the weight issue, and they are transitions with a non refect, anti glare coating on too, which are great for in the Sun and for Night time driving too!

I suppose i'm a touch apprehensive ordering online, because ive never done this with Glasses before, and as i need them all the time, its an important decision to make. I know with Glassesdirect, they will let you try 4 pairs at home free, before you make a choice, and for varifocals, they send an optician out to do the measurements before they make up a pair, so thats more reassurance really.

I guess i've just been used to having the comfort of knowing if ive a problem with them, or if they need adjusting, you can just pop back into your opticians if you bought locally.

I guess the best thing to do really, is to get an upto date eyetest carried out, then to call in at the other local opticians mentioned to see what prices they come up with and compare these to some of the online places.

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Best Opticians?
 

Hi,

I'm a bloke and find varifocals very usable. Last lot I got were from Specsavers - way more expensive than advertised & not much cheaper than D&A in my view. I will be going back to Vision Express next time (soon).

PS - with (some) of the on-line firms you still need to see an optician for correct fitting etc. for anything other than single vision. Not sure how they work it - whether you have to go to a nominated shop or they send someone to your house.

Re: Best Opticians?
 

I have bought bifocals online without that service, and had no problems.
Online sites show you how to measure pupillary distance.
I suppose the specs you get are only as good as the info you supply.
If you strictly follow the online instructions, you shouldn't have problems.

Re: Best Opticians?
 

if yer bad wi yer lamps, the info ya supply could well be duff.:D

Re: Best Opticians?
 

Well - no - :D - opticians tell me that with glasses I achieve 'pilot's vision'

Re: Best Opticians?
 

I know with Glassesdirect they send an optician out to take all the correct measurement including Pupillary Distance....this is for Varifocals only! They dont do an eyetest though!....Ive always seemed to need my glasses adjusting slightly after ive bought them, which is one thing which is putting me off online a little i suppose.

Assuming Specsavers in store price is the same as its online price, they are working out £150 cheaper than D&A. I've added all the relevant extras on for Varifocals, Thinner Lenses, Transistions and other coatings so that they are the same as my current ones, so would hope that this pricing would be correct!


Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Best Opticians?
 

Perhaps they meant "Jim Reeves" pilot?:D

Re: Best Opticians?
 

I used to go to D & A in the Arndale, also the one on Dutton St and Phillip Pratts on Abbey St but the best and most thorough eye test I have ever had was at Asda Rawtenstall.

I have been going there for about 4 years now, and am always very satisfied with the prices and service.

I can highly recommend them.

Re: Best Opticians?
 

I've just ordered my New Specs now and ended up going to Specsavers! Must admit i was plesently surprised at the price and was pleased with the thoroughness of the test. Even though it now means i've got a Hospital appointment to look forward to, because the pressure within my eyes are pretty high!!

As i mentioned previously, my last couple of Pairs from D&A were £500 each time, and the ones from Allens before this not much less. The pair i've just ordered which will be ready next Saturday came to £235 + the £21 Eyetest! This is for exactly the same type of Thin Varifocal Lenses, with Reactions Tint and both Scratch Resistant and Anti-reflect coatings, that i've had previously, the frame was a £99 Red or Dead one compared to my £140 Jaeger one at D&A, so even allowing for the £41 difference in frame price, thats a hell of a big difference for the same lenses!!

They even beat the price i could get with the glassesdirect website for an online purchase by over £80. So i'm very pleased with this!:)


Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Best Opticians?
 

Re: Best Opticians?
 

It was a very thorough eye test heth, they even takes photo's of your eyeball and will show them to you afterwards, showing any areas which may be of concern...thought i was looking at Planet Mars for a moment!

And as i say, on price too i think it would be difficult to beat them. Obviously my prescription is quite a strong one, and with using varifocals and reactalite too, it results in a fairly expensive pair of glasses. For a more bog standard prescription maybe the price differential would not be quite as large, but after yesterdays experience i do feel confident in reccomending them!

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Best Opticians?
 

Worn mine since I was 4 so 23years now and they have got stronger n stronger but I dont need any other special requirements so I may have a bargain on my hands here!! Work pay for my eye test aswell.........result!!

Thanks again :D:D:D

Re: Best Opticians?
 

for years i went to the opticians on blackburn road near last orders, around where chemist is now.

When they closed i have only tried two. Specsavers(who's glasses fall apart easy) and Spex. Been with spex ever since i god fed up with specsavers glasses falling to pieces.

Re: Best Opticians?
 

For the most part Specsavers Glasses are not their own brand, mine in this instance are Red or Dead, if they fall apart its not Specsavers fault...but they will replace or repair them if its a fault with the glasses as any other optician do! My last £500 pair from D&A fell apart 3 weeks after i bought them...they replaced those no problem, as indeed they should do!


Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Best Opticians?
 

hehe

i think for the most part i am unlucky with glasses. What was funny once my friend was in specsavers and the guy was demonstrating how the bendy frames don't brake, he was twisting them around in all angles then he stretched them apart and they snapped in to pieces :D

Re: Best Opticians?
 

Those bendable frames were an expensive scam.
I recall Darwendosser and I visiting Vision Express for new glasses for both of us and the bill came to over £1000 - and that was in the 90s.

They were useless for me because the bendy action caused me to be seeing through the wrong part of the lense - they were 'lopsided' - I need a lense in a fixed position for astigmatism.

Re: Best Opticians?
 

I had a pair of those bendy frames once, they were ok i suppose, but as you say a bit gimicky really!

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Best Opticians?
 

When you think that the lenses cost about a tenner and the frames 1/2 that I'm sure that your glasses are a bargain :D

Re: Best Opticians?
 

Rather depends on what your knowledge of Strong Prescription Thin varifocal lenses with Reaction, and Scratch and Anti-glare coating is?

Best Regards - Taggy