Online glasses retailers

[GusB]

I have been overdue for an eye test for a while now. I'm short-sighted and it has been getting progressively worse over the years, but as I don't have access to a car these days and it's not safety-critical, I've been quite comfortable with my old prescription. Lately, however, I'm finding that reading small-print is becoming more difficult, so it's about time I dragged myself along to the optician.

My budget is a bit tight at the moment, and I've seen various adverts for companies like Glasses Direct, for example. Their prices seem ridiculously cheap in comparison to what I've paid out before. They seem to offer a trial service as well. I just wondered if anyone has had any experiences that they'd like to share.

I've used Specsavers for almost 20 years now, and to be fair they've been really good. I've needed a couple of emergency repairs over the years and they do it without fuss and usually without charge, unless a new lens is required.

I'm going to visit a high-street store to get the eye test done anyway, but there's always that feeling of obligation to use the same store that did the test.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've used Glasses Direct for a while and am happy with them.

 

[LuSiVe]

Same with Glasses Direct, have always been fine for me.

Were even OK with me returning glasses where it was the prescription at fault rather than them. (On that point I'll not be using Tesco for a free eye test again.)

 

[tony_mac]

I've been quite comfortable with my old prescription. Lately, however, I'm finding that reading small-print is becoming more difficult

That's normal as you get older (over 40) - you don't need a prescription for reading glasses, you just go into a shop and try them out!

However, your short-sightedness is a separate issue, and that would need an eye test.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've always wondered why one needs a prescription for short sight but not for long sight. It doesn't make sense to me. Protectionism?

 

[DaleCooper]

I've always wondered why one needs a prescription for short sight but not for long sight. It doesn't make sense to me. Protectionism?

I'm long sighted and have always had prescription lenses.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm long sighted and have always had prescription lenses.

You can, of course, *choose* to go the prescription route, but you can also buy simple "prescriptions" over the counter for long sight, but not for short sight.

 

[beeza1]

I'm going to visit a high-street store to get the eye test done anyway, but there's always that feeling of obligation to use the same store that did the test.

I wouldn't feel obliged to use the same store, after all they are getting paid to do the eye test.
I have considered using a company like Glasses Direct, but have always had concerns about the fit, your prescription only states what lenses you require with no mention of frame size etc, mine have always needed that "little tweak" when I have picked them up from the opticians, any feedback from people who have used them would be welcome.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I wouldn't feel obliged to use the same store, after all they are getting paid to do the eye test.

Getting paid by who? For most people eye tests are a commercial matter. They are only free to get you in the door looking at overpriced spectacles. They are only on the NHS on a means tested basis.

I have considered using a company like Glasses Direct, but have always had concerns about the fit, your prescription only states what lenses you require with no mention of frame size etc, mine have always needed that "little tweak" when I have picked them up from the opticians, any feedback from people who have used them would be welcome.

Adjusting glasses yourself for fit isn't that hard, you literally just bend them to shape. The only thing you need to get is your pupillary distance, but you can do that with a ruler in the mirror.

Frame size is a matter of personal choice, you can have whatever size you wish (subject to a minimum size for bifocals etc), and it has nothing to do with prescription.

I've always found Glasses Direct good. I just wish they (and others) would reduce their prices and pack in the two for one thing when I only want one pair! (I just keep my old ones as spares)

 

[beeza1]

Getting paid by who? For most people eye tests are a commercial matter. They are only free to get you in the door looking at overpriced spectacles. They are only on the NHS on a means tested basis.

Anyone over 60 gets an eye test paid for by the NHS, as does anyone who suffers from glaucoma (hope I've spelt it correctly) or has a family member with the condition.
I've only ever been offered a free eye test on condition I get my glasses from the same place. The cost of the test being deducted from the final bill.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

I use Select Specs and have done for some time now. I order a new pair of glasses every 2 years after I've had my eyes tested. I've recommended Select Specs to colleagues at work and they are also impressed with them.

I've massively reduced my costs of buying glasses online rather than from a high street optician.

 

[GusB]

Getting paid by who? For most people eye tests are a commercial matter. They are only free to get you in the door looking at overpriced spectacles. They are only on the NHS on a means tested basis.

Not in Scotland - my eye tests are completely free.

Thanks for all your feedback, folks. I will give Glasses Direct trial service a go and see how I get on with that. I'll also check out Select Specs as well.

 

[Seacook]

Getting paid by who? For most people eye tests are a commercial matter. They are only free to get you in the door looking at overpriced spectacles. They are only on the NHS on a means tested basis.

Not strictly true. In England, eye tests are free for anyone over sixty and some medical conditions mean patients qualify - glaucoma, or diabetes, for example. I can't remember the last time I had to pay for an eye test: some time in the
early 1990s probably. After that I had tests paid by my employer (not free for the company, but no cost for me) then I was diagnosed with diabetes and now I'm over sixty.

 

[Seacook]

I use Select Specs and have done for some time now. I order a new pair of glasses every 2 years after I've had my eyes tested. I've recommended Select Specs to colleagues at work and they are also impressed with them.

I've massively reduced my costs of buying glasses online rather than from a high street optician.

Thanks for this. The prices at Select Specs are low even for on-line sellers. I had a test and a new prescription only a week ago so I've ordered two pairs from them. The total including postage was less than a third of what I would be likely to pay in a bricks-and-mortar store. They should be arriving in the post late next week.

It is useful to narrow the choice of frame quickly to remove those I would never dream of buying at any price (rimless, brightly coloured, etc.).

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes, selection is really easy online, and Glasses Direct have a facility to "try on" a pair using a photograph taken on your phone.

I can't see me going back to bricks and mortar.

 

[Butts]

Glasses Direct are great just send your prescription in and order what you like.

The last two orders I have made using MSE Codes and paid only about £20 in total for two pairs of prescription glasses. Free postage included.

 

[cjp]

I have successfully purchased varifocal glasses from Posh Eyes as well as ordinary glasses and contact lenses and would recommend them.
www.posheyes.co.uk

Excellent service including fitting new lenses into old frames.

 

[najaB]

I've always wondered why one needs a prescription for short sight but not for long sight. It doesn't make sense to me. Protectionism?

Because glasses to correct hyperopia are much simpler - usually they are just a convex lens.

Myopia commonly brings astigmatism and other conditions along for the ride so the lenses have to be more finely personalised. (The degree of twist between my right and left eyes is quite high, by way of an example).

The other reason is because blurred distance vision can be caused by other factors (e.g. cataracts) so it makes good sense for an opthalmologist to give an eye health check.

 

[DaleCooper]

Where we will get our eyes tested when all the high street opticians close due to competition from online suppliers. Will we have to send our eyes away to be tested?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Where we will get our eyes tested when all the high street opticians close due to competition from online suppliers. Will we have to send our eyes away to be tested?

What will happen (and I'm surprised it hasn't already) is that, like debundling of flights, we will stop seeing free/discounted non-NHS eye tests and start instead seeing a fair price, probably around £40-50, being charged, with the prices of spectacles on the high street reducing to compete. Essentially separating product and service.

I think for customer choice that would be a very good development.

 

[DaleCooper]

What will happen (and I'm surprised it hasn't already) is that, like debundling of flights, we will stop seeing free/discounted non-NHS eye tests and start instead seeing a fair price, probably around £40-50, being charged, with the prices of spectacles on the high street reducing to compete. Essentially separating product and service.

I think for customer choice that would be a very good development.

That's probably what will happen although I suspect £40-50 might be optimistic. You need a qualified optometrist and a lot of expensive equipment, It will probably be like dentists with a wide range of prices across the country.

 

[J-2739]

Where we will get our eyes tested when all the high street opticians close due to competition from online suppliers. Will we have to send our eyes away to be tested?

As well as that, I'll want x-ray vision fitted please, lol

 

[DaleCooper]

As well as that, I'll want x-ray vision fitted please, lol

We all know why.

 

[Barn]

I've always wondered why one needs a prescription for short sight but not for long sight. It doesn't make sense to me. Protectionism?

Typically you would (or should) get a prescription if you have long-sightedness from an early age.

People in their 40s and above can develop presbyopia which is an inability to focus properly on reading materials rather than a true refractive error. Many people just pick up cheap reading glasses for this purpose.

GusB may well need varifocals to correct his myopia and also act as reading glasses. They will definitely need a correct prescription.

 

[J-2739]

We all know why.

Ahahahaha, exactly what I had in mind!