I ordered new glasses on Thursday and was taken aback by the cost. Having been moderately miopic until cataracts through predisolone I have always indulged my eyes. I ordered a rimless pair of varifocals with antiglare. I have been charged £280.00 for the rimless and £563.50 for the glasses(best quality). Total £843.50. Is this the going rate or have I paid over the top?
Glasses: I ordered new glasses on Thursday and was... - PMRGCAuk
Glasses
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prunus
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Difficult for me to say about the UK but it is similar to what I paid for mine here in Italy last summer. The rimless "frames" were more than that because they are titanium (or something similar). My lenses are single vision as there was deemed no point to having variofocals - but variofocal lenses are pretty pricey when you get to the fancier end of the ranges.
This optician
wilmslowopticians.co.uk/how....
says
"If you wear ‘varifocal’ glasses, our basic lenses start at £275. For state of the art varifocal lenses made using advanced technology, you can expect to spend from £450. From this price point, you can decide on the ideal grade and thickness varifocals for you, through to the best available (£800)."
So I suspect you didn't have the basic! Did you not get a quote when you chose them? My optician here would never keep me in the dark about the cost.
That has put my mind at rest. My optometrist is very thorough but he is a business man. He knows what I like, but I could not believe the increase and he knows I am now a widow.
If you need a second pair this company are very reasonable, with your prescription you can buy online. I used them when I was in between cataract ops ( caused by steroids) and they functioned perfectly. spex4less.com/
No it’s not. I have varifocal glasses and sunglasses with a new prescription this summer. Zeiss lenses in both, very good quality. Cost about 1k for the pair. Decided to spoil myself if I’m wearing them all day. Actually got a discount on the sunglasses lenses as I’d bought two pairs.
Hi prunus,
Unfortunately if you attend many independent opticians, this is the price you can expect to pay....as I have done myself on quite a few occasions.
Because my financial position is not quite as affluent as usual at the moment, I went to one of my local High Street opticians...one that will have many branches around the UK (not Boots) and I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised.
The total cost for two (not one) pair of completely new glasses, with uv filter, anti-glare, variafocal, was £301.10.
I explained to optician about my condition and the need for appropriate and thorough eye checks, and he was fully aware of all the important issues that he needed to be. He showed me the scans of my blood vessels at the back of the eye, etc and explained everything to me.
My whole experience was positive and reassuring and for the time being I'm happy to hand over my eye care to this team.
Hope that helps.
That’s a change from my last experience with a high street chain. I ended up at an independent optometrist as I’d been referred via the high street optician to my GP to have eye pressures investigated, way before GCA. I’ve stuck with him. He’s checked them every six months at different times of the day (they can change am/pm). He’s had just three GCA patients in 30 years, has been very helpful and keeps track of all eye scans. Sounds like the chain opticians have improved a lot though.
I went to an independent optician whose opinion was that he could beat the chains for someone like me. The chains provide an apparently cheap option with their buy one get one at an offer price. But if you don't want two identical prescriptions or something a bit out of the ordinary for whatever reason they can be pretty pricey. And if that chain gets something wrong - it might turn out less than ideal for you.
I got a pair of new glasses from a German "High St" chain which I never got on with, I had a headache after an hour or two. They insisted they were fine. I went to my independent guy - who identified the centre of one of the lenses was a fraction out of the right position, my eyes were struggling to accommodate. They were very large lenses - George fitted them into a smaller frame with them properly centred and saved some expensive lenses, A few years later my daughter had an identical experience with SS or VE, not sure which. They denied all responsibility. The lenses were the right prescription, she must be trying it on. George once offered me variofocals - I was scared I wouldn't get on with them and the money was wasted. He assured me he would never leave me with glasses I couldn't use. Both I and my daughter would have saved a fair bit with him.
I went with SS and my 2nd pair were frameless. I couldn't 'get on' with them and they allowed me to choose some more frames. It was all sorted FOC.I've clearly been quite lucky this time.
I’ve been with SS a few years now, and last year had my first pair of varifocals. I found that when driving to use the distance part of the lens I was having to tip my head downwards and look up (think young Princess Diana looking through her fringe!). I went back and they remeasured, made new lens and refitted, all FOC as they promised.
Sounds par for the course. I am always horrified by the amount I am charged. I have recently bought glasses over the internet at much better prices, I used Glasses Direct. I can choose up to four frame options to try on and they send them through the post, you then get free return. You can do this again and again if you don’t like the frames sent. You fill in a form on-line with your prescription and you can get added extras such as tinted glass, sunglasses etc etc. It means you can take your time and look through the frames on offer. I have been very happy with the results.
I used to use Glasses Direct when I needed varifocals..As Piglette says, you use your prescription from optician, they were excellent, I can recommend them. (Fortunately, since cataract surgery on both eyes a few years ago I now only need reading glasses)
That is interesting but what about fitting?
As a customer of internet spectacle suppliers I must say that fitting has been a problem, especially with a pair of “super dry” frames which would not hold their shape. Once you know what size fits you best it is easier and moulding them isn’t so very difficult. I can buy three pairs of varifocals for the same price as one pair from my high street independent optician so it is a no brainer for me on a pension. And the best thing is you can change your frames more often if you want to.
As a senior in the States, in order for your eye exam to be paid for by Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Medicare, you have to be examined by an opthalmologist. After GCA dx, of course, I continued. I just got my first prescription lens for distance about a month ago. I took the Doctor's Rx to Walmart, where the frames range from $10 to $300. After picking out my frames, my lenses with gradient tint, scratch protection, and nonglare, the cost was $269US.
I have used Walmart several times in the past and have never had a problem. I know they will remake them should you have an issue. For my computer and painting, I wear magnifying readers. My best luck for them has been Readers.com. I buy 275+,300+, and 325+ to have on hand. I think they run an average of $13 per pair...I'm a 'middle of the price range person' whether it is glasses or a dishwasher. Just saying...🪻💞
I have expensive Nikon varifocals in my everyday glasses, and cheapie Hoya varifocals in my sunglasses; vision is great with both 🤔. For the past 10 years the fitting has been done by a machine with no human input and has been much better and definitely more reliable.
Your post really made me laugh....it is so true. Can you imagine how low the cost is for our plastic frames....no matter who orders the glasses....the lens order is usually sent out. Be careful of those Nikons..FRAGILE~! 🤣😂💞
Very interesting that you cannot tell any difference.
Yes - that’s about what I paid three years ago. You only have one pair of eyes, and my view is you look after them as best you can!
Especially when only one works…👁️.😊
That is exactly my feeling. I agree entirely.
well although you haven’t specified the spec I can definitely confirm the price isn’t at all out of the range for good quality. Indeed the past two pairs I’ve bought have been at least that. I always justify the cost on basis that people look at your face more than your shoes. So relax and enjoy the new specs when they arrive.
And send us a pic!
Thanks for that. I'm glad I posted because all the posts have been so reassuing.
I think that's really expensive. I used to buy my glasses online for years. The glasses were made in HongKong. What you will need is your latest prescription, PD (pupil distance), centre, bridge size and arm length. If you don't have these measurements, you can send them an old pair of glasses and they may be able to work it out. I used to change my glasses every year and rarely paid over £100 for single vision glasses. So it really?made sense.But since I started needing reading glasses, I switched to a high street chain, and I must say I haven't been disappointed. I started out paying about £225 for varifocals (simple frames, no thinning, best quality varifocals, anti glare) to about £350 now.
I found the online glasses very good for single vision, but when I needed higher specs I felt reassured to try them on first in the shop with the option of having adjustments made.
(SS were the first to refer me to a specialist when they found high eye pressure. This was years ago before Pred.)
Yes from what everyone is saying there is obviously a big difference between chain stores and private small people.
Economies of scale -same as supermarket versus corner shop …
Quality of service comes into it as well.
But at the end of the day your money, your choice…
Hi! My spec savers glasses cost about 350 for two pairs. Both are varifocals one has reactions lens and both have anti scratch coatings. A third pair cost 30.00 single vision for reglazing as I use them for art and craft. I am very pleased with them.
that sounds about right to me. I also have the Zeiss top of the range varifocals. The only way to reduce the cost is to buy less expensive frames, or use the same frames next time your prescription needs to be changed.
Yes I used old frames last time a couple of years ago. Thought I'd have new this time.
I bought cheaper frames in the sale two years ago with the zeiss lenses but this time I decided I wanted lightweight more attractive ones. Pure choice as DL says but the advice I’ve received from the optician I see has been worth it. Personally I would not want to buy them online.
Nor me... but then they probably wouldn't want me too... all too much thought required..different lenses... so they'd probably charge twice the amount as usual...
Such a range of experiences on here but as you say we’re all different in our needs. I prefer to pay for the advice I’ve come to trust. In a pre GCA life I recall the prescription in my first pair of glasses not feeling quite right. It was only when I was referred to the independent guy I found out it was incorrect.
My first optometrist was way ahead of the game in the late 80s -only left him because we moved.
My second one directed me to A&E -when no doctor has recognised my GCA -so in essence saved me losing all sight. So naturally I have faith in him… and his staff (they’ve looked after me brilliantly for 12years ).. and not sure their prices are high after read all the replies on this post.
When I rang my guy the day my sight was going weird his receptionist told me to go straight to Eye Casualty. That saved time. When I saw him a few months later he spent a long time discussing GCA with me. So caring, there was a queue to see him building up but it was as if he had all the time in the world. I really don’t mind paying a premium for this level of service.
Totally agree…
Me neither - that really is priceless. If someone went to my guy because their sight was wobbly he saw them immediately, whoever was booked in. I waited while he sorted someone with GCA one day - did all the tests, rang the Eye Dept at the big Uni hospital, wrote the letter and sent them straight there. If they do it for one - they'll do it for you.
You were very lucky. Mine has indicated he does not have the time to spend on GCA when I have given him literature.
Paid about £600 for varifocals with ordinary frames last time (2023)
I also pay a similar amount for top quality varifocals. When it comes to eyes & glasses I always spoil myself.
Total rip off like everything else since Covid.
Not sure I'd blame Covid, There have been other forces at work ... Particularly in the eyewear market. Lenses haven't been as much affected as there are a lot of UK manufacturers but a high proportion of frames are imported, often from Italy, and the changes due to Brexit have increased prices considerably.
We changed from a local independent opticians to a high street name. Reason? Because they didn’t have the up to date testing equipment or scanning equipment. At my first appointment I was diagnosed with macular degeneration. I cancelled our accounts &, naturally, they asked me why. I told them & they admitted they wouldn’t have caught my macular degeneration with their limited equipment, so I don’t know how long I’ve had it. I wear toric contact lenses, though. My husband ordered his first pair of varifocal to see how he gets on with them. He had a half price voucher for his first pair, & the cost for frames, lenses was £215. He chose the top level coating (not sure what it was) & that was dearer. He bought a pair of 2.75 reading glasses to keep in the car & they were £15. He says they are definitely better than reading glasses which he’s bought cheaply in shops! The independent shop charged him £400 fir a pair, & they weren’t good, but offered him nothing, just shrugged & said they were his prescription (just before Covid), but these people have seen him twice since for 15 minutes each time & altered them free of charge. But, as you can see,mothers are paying the same as you! The new opticians also diagnosed David’s ‘cloudy eye’ as a problem following cataract surgery 4 years ago, & he’s had laser treatment which has improved his sight tremendously. You can only speak as you find. Our old opticians rarely had more than 1 - 2 customers in at a time, this opticians us bustling! I think the costs are low partly because of the throughput..they are making so much profit, they can buy new equipment etc etc!!
Again, depends on the optician. My wonder guy had equipment 20 years ago that even SS and co don't have. He had decided as a teenager he wanted to know how vision worked and work in that field. He was advised doing medicine wasn't the best way to go about it, being an optician was the place to start. Having completed his degree he did a PhD and went on to do more research. Until he realised that his former class mates were earning megabucks while he was scrabbling to fund family life on short term academic contracts. He found a partnership in a small group of independent opticians and opened his own shop. They joined together for purchasing purposes so were better able to compete with the chains on price. But he promised himself if he found a promising gadget he'd buy it - and so had an amazingly equipped room. He was doing retinal photography long before most places outside eye hospitals - and didn't charge. But I know he was a one-off - and now retired. I do miss him!
I agree! I had a ‘one off’ many years ago in Northampton. He was something high up in the Society of Opticians, or whatever, & wrote technical papers, & did a lot of good in the industry. But that’s not ‘now’! A lot of independent opticians in England, I believe suffered so badly during Covid, & are having to charge more to keep their businesses alive. The High Street ones don’t have to worry, &, as the independent opticians that I left said they have huge buying power & get discounts from expensive purchase of machinery. The independent people have to charge more to be able to do these purchases…that’s just business!
I too recently bought new glasses . Cost was over £500 but to be fair they were premium brand frames and bifocals with tinted option. So it is the going rate unless you go cheap and buy online where I am sure you can reduce costs dramatically.
I think that is about right for an independent. My late husband was always persuaded to get his varifocals from our optician and paid about £500 a pair. Me on the other hand just got the prescription and bought mine online.
In August I decided to try the well known chain within our local Sainsbury's supermarket. I was pleasantly surprised. The Optometrist knew all about PMR and GCA. Was very thorough with the eye test and had the same equipment as my independent optician. I got 2 pairs of spectacles for the price of one. Both frames, Zeiss varifocals, with antiglare and reactions lenses. Total cost just under £400!I waited 2 weeks to get them and they were fitted by a human. My vision has been much better with the new specs. Suffice to say I was very pleased and will use them again.
Hi Prunus. It can depend on your Prescription. Most high st chains cannot make mine. With my high index plus acute astigmatism needed then it has to be the likes of Rodenstock or Zeiss for me plus I choose the ultra thin too! So rest assured by using an Independent, you will hopefully receive exactly what you will be happy with. And yes they are very costly.
I don't know if I could have got my specs cheaper at a chain, but I'm pretty sure I would not have had the customer service, dry eye clinic, amazingly equipped and thorough examinations, etc. The fitting service is invaluable as they are quirks in my sight and the merest adjustment makes such a difference. They have strong relationships with a local eye hospital which helps them with being up to date. Can't praise them enough. They are always clear about each cost element with a range of options to lessen the cost too.
I have recently paid a not dissimilar sum for transitional varifocals.
At the end of the day it comes down to the individual. I found it a bit disquietening when mine queried which eye I'd had to have lasered. I'd have thought that was very obvious when he was looking in at it.
What are they? Solid gold frames with diamonds for lenses?!! Which? magazine recommend Asda Opticians. Last time I used them, it was £40 for nice plastic frames with varifocal lenses and both anti-glare & anti-scratch coatings included. I bought two pairs for £80, one with a tint for summer. Even their top-of-the-range Luxury Designer glasses are £130, or two for £220, all in. If your lenses are strong, they'll do thinner, high-refraction lenses for the same price (see link below).
In the UK, wherever you have your eyes tested, you are entitled to take your prescription away and shop around for glasses. It's been that way since the 1980s.
opticians.asda.com/our-comp...
I know for certain that High St opticians do not use the lens maker needed for my prescription. So an Independent it is.
Who told you that? Have you shown your glasses or prescription to other opticians? They can measure your lenses on the spot and give you a quote. You might be surprised.
Of course I have! As I said my prescription is only available using Rodenstock, Zeiss and one other lens maker. Pentax , Nikon , and other lens manufacturers do not make it. I think High St Opticians are great, my husband uses them! It depends on many things too, a high Astigmatism is difficult and adding Prisms which I have both of.
Makes my blended vision Lasik surgery seem good value. I have a "reading eye" and a "distance eye" and Prof Reinstein has a clever way of blending the two eyes so you never feel uncomfortable. My third revision in June was £3000 but since it lasts about 8 years in my case, not bad value.
No I'd say that is good value at about £375 per year. Mine tried to do something similar between having my cataracts done but my miopic eye was too bad and my brain could not cope.
I had that with contact lenses until PMR struck and messed wearing lenses up. Do miss it - only needed glasses for driving and that was only because I felt better about it, not legally. They offer it here for after cataract surgery.
This has been a fascinating read! Big price variation, even for simple lenses.
I suppose it depends where you go. 🙂
And the individual optometrist.
And the specific prescription and our own vanity! Just as you can buy trainers for a tenner (I'm told) or over £100. I also think it's worth paying for service if you can especially when it comes to health/eyes.
Glasses are very expensive. I spent almost $600 on a new pair last fall (I live in Canada).
hi
I guess it depends on what brand as they vary a lot . I paid quite a lot more than you, for rimless variofocal. They were a Swedish make.
So I would say that the price you have been quoted is average in my neck of the woods xx
I always think eyes are important so the best you can afford. Xx
Carole
I would just advise that it is worth looking at the materials and workmanship of the frames. Opticians make a good profit on them and I usually make them last through several lens changes, much to their horror! They hurriedly advise that therefore will be no guarantee. I am currently wearing Porsche stainless steel frames I have had for 6 years and no wear detectable. I simply wear an old pair for the 3 days it takes to turn the new lenses around. I can feel righteously eco at no waste to boot!
BTW: Because of the Pred and 70+ yrs my Optician says that the NHS allows for annual tests (tho not the fancy retina records).
It is also worth noting that lenses do vary in quality and therefore cost.
Yes mine are best quality lenses.
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