Optician Recommendations

[gswindale]

After having an eye test done yesterday, which confirmed I need new glasses, I chose a pair in my local Vision Express.

This morning I received an email confirming my order and giving an expected delivery date to store of 19th Feb.

I'm pretty certain that last time I needed new lenses, they took about a week, but what happened to the good old days wbere you could go in, get your eyes tested, choose your frames, pop off for a cuppa and then pick them up about an hour later?

Are there any opticians out there that provide such a service, or do any provide a more "express" service than Vision Express?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'd save your money and go with Specsavers for an eye test (they do all the key things) and Glasses Direct for your purchase. It's no slower than ordering from a "proper" optician.

Is your prescription complex? The quick service with Vision Express and the likes relied on it being a simple plus or minus so they could hold a stock of lenses of various powers and cut them to shape quickly. I don't think they ever did the likes of varifocals under that service, nor strong prescriptions?

 

[Trackman]

Some Vision Expresses do have one-hour labs, but you have to seek/google them out, usually in large cities.
Like the OP, I can't be doing with waiting for new glasses and my prescription is not straight forward.

 

[m0ffy]

If you have a membership, Costco has a very good optical department. I have a moderately complex prescription and my most recent pair arrived in under a week. Their pricing is extremely competitive, too.

 

[jon81uk]

I've had my eye test at Vision Express but buy the glasses from Glasses Direct online, two pairs for £20 or similar, plus extras as I like the blue light filter for screen work.

 

[contrex]

Is your prescription complex? The quick service with Vision Express and the likes relied on it being a simple plus or minus so they could hold a stock of lenses of various powers and cut them to shape quickly. I don't think they ever did the likes of varifocals under that service, nor strong prescriptions?

I have had a complex prescription since the age of two, and my glasses have always taken 'about a fortnight'. I have heard of friends in their 50s and 60s that theirs, previously quick, have started being the same.

 

[johntea]

I have a very complex prescription and usually just stick to Specsavers, they usually have some sort of offer or another going on so I usually end up with a spare pair of glasses which is useful as I'm rather clumsy at times!

At least with buying them from a high street brand when you pick them up they'll spend time to check they fit and can make adjustments, and are more than happy to assist if you have problems later down the line

 

[Djgr]

When Vision Express was launched (a long time ago) its key selling point was how quickly you could get your glasses.

That speed has not been offeres for a long time. Presumably they didn't want to change the brand name, having spent zillions advertising it?

 

[contrex]

I have a very complex prescription and usually just stick to Specsavers

Me too. Recently it has become clear that I have some hearing loss (I'm 73). I went to a certain very well-known pharmacy and chemists chain and the 'audiologist' was an absolute dickhead, rude, abrupt, talked to me as if I am thick. At the end of the test he started to try to get me to buy their v.expensive private hearing aids, telling me the free NHS ones are rubbish. I decided not to bother either way. This week I went to Specsavers and the contrast could not have been greater. Nice young guy, very pleasant, didn't talk down to me. Going in two weeks to be fitted with NHS ones.

 

[gswindale]

Thanks all.

Will take a look at Glasses Direct as I do also want some new Sunglasses and, although I can apparently drive without glasses, would prefer prescription sunglasses to aid me out & about in general when on hols.

I am just moving into needing varifocals as well.