paddy1709 Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 When I first started work I worked in a company that supplied the lens to all the major opticians (about 15 years ago). The cost for each lens for basic lens is £1.00 each. For the most expensive extra thin lens (pentax) it was £8 each. The optician then grinds then to fit into the glasses. The mark up for opticians is astromical! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I hate hate hate wearing glasses and hate even more having to spend money on them I spend the absolute minimum so they usually look dire, but as I only wear them when I really really have to, I don't care I usually get the £50 BOGOF ones from specsavers. Same here - I only need them for reading and driving at the moment so I chose a frame from the £35 range for the distance glasses. I would spend more if I had to wear them all day every day. I reused the frames from my reading glasses and had new lenses fitted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbier Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I'd never needed glasses: my eyesight was very good. With age, I needed reading glasses a few years ago. These were 2 for 1 from Specsavers, and the service was very good, I thought. I've recently needed varifocals: these are WAY more expensive than reading glasses, and I'm not getting on very well with them Specsavers did let me switch the prescription to intermediates for the free second pair, as there is no way I could use the varifocals for working on my pc or reading. They are ok for driving and shopping, though. I do wonder whether I'd be better paying more for customised lenses? The two pairs cost me around £400, for Missoni frames + the (pentax?) lenses, with an anti glare reflective coating. I still have a lowish prescription, so don't need thinner lenses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Glasses direct on the net for prescription to my presc and the bendy ones I last bought were £35 - I have had the £15 ones as well and they do the job and it does not break the bank - they do have designer ones too!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Given that in the past I have tried on nearly every pair in my opticians to find one pair I liked and suited there's no way I could buy off the internet. Also, how on earth do you get them adjusted so they fit properly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Had to take the measurements from my old pair - its on the glasses legs and ask the optician for the ?Pupilliary angle! (sp)and they must give it with your prescription - they have been fine - I took them to a different optician and they adjusted a pair for me free!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pipichick Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Had to take the measurements from my old pair - its on the glasses legs and ask the optician for the ?Pupilliary angle! (sp)and they must give it with your prescription - they have been fine - I took them to a different optician and they adjusted a pair for me free!! The pupillary distance is not a legal requirement as part of the eye examination prescription. The optometrist can choose to give this information foc, or charge for their time or refuse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 I use an independent optician...I think for simple prescriptions then high street/specsavers are fine, but if it's more complicated then you need a dispensing optician who knows what they are doing to get the measurements right..also my optician has been able to help no end with my problem dry eyes..which has in it's turn helped my vision immensely...If you have watery eyes most of the time it's very difficult to pin your prescription down!! So for glasses I would expect to pay at least £300, but I would also expect to reuse the frames at least once in this...so that my yearly spend on glasses is about £150..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 For the most expensive extra thin lens (pentax) it was £8 each. The optician then grinds then to fit into the glasses. The mark up for opticians is astromical! tbh this has me close to tears. My YS was -5 diopetre last time and needs new lens every 6 mths. Ideally he should now have thin lens but at £300+ a time without counting the cost of the frames the markup, especially for children, is criminal. I hate opticians and I mind the fact that nhs contributes very little once your eye sight goes beyond the point where regular lens work for you until you are officially partially sighted. Quite what are you supposed to do in that middle ground of poor eyesight ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
