Cinnamon Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 My daughter is finding it hard driving in the sun when she has her 1 day off a week from contacts.....does anyone know anything about prescription sunglasses? Are they good value for money & where is the best place to get them - we don't want anything designer,just something good value which will do the job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 I got my sunglasses when I got my glasses, it was a 2 pairs for the price of one in Specsavers. you can choose different colour lenses with them, green tint, brown tint, i think there was a grey one too the only thing I wish i had done with mine was choose a pair of frames that were more "sunglasses style". think plastic frame style, rather than the metal frame style glasses hope this helps cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 I went for my eyetest yesterday and have ordered some prescription sunglasses. I had 3 choices - plastic clip ons a pair of over glasses or a pair of prescription glasses In the end I went for a pair of prescription glasses as I can get varifocal sunglasses which I will wear almost all of the time, all year round The advice was to get a large pair that go 'all the way round' so as to stop sunlight creeping in around the edges, a problem I've had with other sunglasses. Good luck to your daughter, I've used Dolland & Aitchison (sp?) before, found they were good for the buy one get one free deals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 Couperwife is spot on - go for sunglasses into which you can have prescription lenses, rather than having prescription specs with reactolite lenses fitted. I had reactolite (or whatver they are called) fitted to my standard specs, and I wish I'd gone for something more sunglassy. I;m sure most (all?) opticiams will have something. Dolland & Aitchison (now part of Boots Opticians) do, here's a linkk http://www.danda.co.uk/sunglasses/ If you register online you will get a discount voucher emailed to you, either 10% or 20% off. I would guess that Specsavers etc do something similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 I've used them for a few years now both reactolite and sunglasses I tend to go for the brown tint I find the grey to light in glass lenses.plastic is no good for me as it scratches to easily with the dust in the van Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 Couperwife is spot on - go for sunglasses into which you can have prescription lenses, rather than having prescription specs with reactolite lenses fitted. I had reactolite (or whatver they are called) fitted to my standard specs, and I wish I'd gone for something more sunglassy. Same here Although I did notice I had much less trouble with a newer car, as the windows have a level of anti glare tint to them, unlike my poor old Metro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 OOh Boots had an offer on, not sure if it's ended whereby if you spent £5 in store, you got a voucher which gave you half price off prescription sunglasses. Mum did it the other week and got some for just £39.50!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 17, 2011 Author Share Posted April 17, 2011 Darn it,I had been chucking those vouchers away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 Specsavers all the way. They are good value for money and their customer service has always been excellent for me, not surly and rude like Dolland and Aitchison. I'm a full time speccy so have reactor lenses in my normal glasses and they work well for everything except in the car. I have a pair of presciption sunglasses for that and they are much better, much darker and cut out a lot of the glare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 I have prescription sunglasses. They are fine. I used to have reactive ones but I never really got on with them. Although they do react reasonably quickly, if it was sunny outside and I was going in for my Body Jam class, the instructor always used to make comments about my being hung over as I was still wearing "sunglasses" inside! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 also a full time speccy here. I have a 'proper' pair of scrip sunnies, which are dark brown lenses and big - great if you are in glaring sun, and also, if I may so, drop dead glam!! well, they make me feel glam anyway - good thing too as I am usually out with the dog and wearing slobbiest clothes while wearing them. I'm just about to pick up my new varifocals which will be reactolite or similar - bit anxious as have had these before, but been told they are now much better/more reactive. my problem was walking indoors after being outside, and being virtually blind... but apparently changing times are much better nowadays. the choice of lens colours makes a BIG difference - personally I prefer brown because they are darker, but the optician should be able to show your daughter the different colour ways and it is personal choice really. dont dismiss the smaller optician practices, the service is often much better and not necessarily more expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 I'm picking mine up tomorrow - I needed reading glasses but got a 2nd pair free at Vision Express, so got sunglasses made up for my distance prescription for driving. Most of the chains do offers like this from time to time, worth looking out for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 17, 2011 Author Share Posted April 17, 2011 So do you all think its better money wise to go to a chain rather than an independent opticians? We have been going to the same small place in Henley for years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 you'll probably get more choice at the chains and probably a better price. but I'd stick with the local firm for your eyetests etc, and in fact I always get our specs from the local firm too, as it's easier, they're nice, they know us, no problem at all when we need things fixing! have you got her prescription? if not they should just give you a copy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Beach Chick I'll be interested to see how you get on with your reactive glasses. I had them years ago and they were a bit rubbish. Actually my mum and I picked up a pair each on the same day. I had gone to Vision Express and paid a fortune, she went to Specsavers, paid less and hers were much better than mine. Her's came out darker and cleared quicker. I think I went to Corfu that year only with those glasses and it was awful, they were nowhere near dark enough. I've got prescription RayBans now and they're pretty good but I get fed up of having to carry my normal glasses too if we go out anywhere, especially on motorbike days as its a bit awkward, I don't have enough hands to carry everything I don't want to waste my money again though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Seagazer I had them years ago and thought they were rubbish too! however my nice friendly local opticians tell me they have much improved, and I get so bored with having to swap from one pair to another all the time - like you, not enough hands! I will report back... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 I have a pair of scrip sunnies from Asda - cost me £35 about 10 years ago (my eyes haven't changed). I went for a very dark tint and I find they are too dark unless we have a searingly bright day. This means I need to move to the south of France to get the best from them If I wear them for driving and go into a tunnel I can't see anything If I was buying again I definitely go to a supermarket (we have a new Tesco with a very thorough optician and very cheap) although I also have the option of a commerical lens manufacturing workshop which sells direct to the public as well. I find both of these much better value and much better service than my local independent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MummyHen Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 I'm a full time specky - totally lost without them I use a small family optician where I get good service and a good choice of frames. I have selected a pair of designer sunglasses (large that cover the whole eye to avoid sun getting in the sides) which I had varifocal lenses added. They are not too dark I can see when driving in tunnels !??! and when transitioning from outside to into a shop, for example, its fine. But I'm sure people think silly moo wearing sunglasses inside but if I take them off it would be a disaster. I'd look at lots of frames in the main high street shops as well as your local optician and see whats available before you take the plunge and get a sunglasses frame. I'd be lost without mine - go for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 I have some Christain Dior sunglasses that are very good and stylish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 18, 2011 Author Share Posted April 18, 2011 What is concerning me is the price - I can't afford to buy her designer sunglasses, & tbh she probably wouldn't want them anyhow. So I have a budget to stick to - I think I may try Boots & Specsavers first. In fact I may look into a chain for her contacts too,as we may well be paying far too much for those................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 My hubby, ED and I get prescription sunglasses from Specsavers when they have the buy one get one free offers on, which should be any time now. As I wear glasses all the time, I do find it a hassle having to change them everytime I go in doors or into a shop, and sometimes if it's a quick in out, I won't even bother to change them. Go for large frames, even though they look very strange without the dark lenses in, as like the others have said they give you better protection from the glare around the edges. I got some small frames once and the glare over the edges was horrible. You get the choice of tints (grey brown and another one, not black though) I use brown and really like them. Hubby has some really nice metal frames which I love and wish I'd seen first. Very aviator style but not with the price tag. Look around as I am sure they'll be offers now. Apparently demon Tesco do some good offers and my parents only have good to say about our one here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Vision Express are doing free prescription sunnies when you buy a pair of glasses this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 If you're paying a lot for contacts and things have you considered a contract/pay plan with them? I know that at the Opticians I go to they do this quite a lot for people who buy lots of things, and it may well be worth it. Also, RE sunglasses, go for ones she likes wearing and look nice! I don't have prescription sunglasses, as I'd need them to have big lenses, which due to my prescription would be insanely thick, unless I paid a lot to get them thinned. It's interesting the debate between prices of Chain Vs Independent. I think it's probably best to shop around, but where will you get best service? I've always gone to an independent as after care service can often be a lot better and they are usually more than happy to order extra styles and colours in if you want them to. I've worn specs since I was about 2, so know no different! Now...What should I do a Biology degree or Optometry, (So I can be an Optician)??? I'd love doing either.....ARGHH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 so far, I am NOT loving my new reactolites. they're brilliant in the sun, go really dark, and lighten up enough in the car to drive safely and comfortably, but am getting headaches when I'm indoors as they dont lighten up quick enough - it's ok if not reading/computer, but given that I work from home, desk and word-based, and am always popping in and out for chicken/animal things, dog walking, hanging out washing etc this may not be ideal. they'll be good for holidays though I suppose - could have afforded a weekend away with mr beach chick for what they cost! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 What is concerning me is the price - I can't afford to buy her designer sunglasses, & tbh she probably wouldn't want them anyhow.So I have a budget to stick to - I think I may try Boots & Specsavers first. In fact I may look into a chain for her contacts too,as we may well be paying far too much for those................. If she gets her contacts from Boots on the Boots Vision Plan she can get a pair of prescription sunglasses for half price each year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
