where to go for glasses and test ?

[steveo3002]

my mother wants to get some vari focals , shes old and easily talked into being robbed by any old high street place

whats the score for some decent ones , not after designer frames or anything fancy just proper glasses that work

shes diabetic and pensioner if that means any free tests or anything? also a costco member

Edited by steveo3002 on Sunday 17th November 14:47

[MikeO996]

Avoid the big high st chains isn't bad advice these days, one case where old local businesses tend to be best.
I bet she is entitled to free care.
Health forum would have been a better place for this bound to be some opticians lurking around there.

[bingybongy]

COSTCO.

[Disco You]

For your test, whichever highstreet place is doing free test offers at the moment.

For the glasses, where ever you like. I disagree that small businesses are cheaper than highstreet places, I find it the other way around.

[Troubleatmill]

bingybongy said:

COSTCO.

THIS.

[dtmpower]

Eye test at specsavers/tesco ( they all use qualified mostly locum opticians )

Then use the prescription and order them online.

[steveo3002]

whats the procedure in costco then? go in with the prescription and try on some frames etc then order for another day?

any rough ideas on prices ..bearing in mind she just wants decent glasses not overpriced designer names etc

[RocketScience]

Specsavers are very good value and decent quality.

I found them to be much cheaper than other high street shops but my prescription is relatively simple.

[bingybongy]

steveo3002 said:

whats the procedure in costco then? go in with the prescription and try on some frames etc then order for another day?

any rough ideas on prices ..bearing in mind she just wants decent glasses not overpriced designer names etc

Eye test ( a tenner I think) at Costco, always busy so book by phone. Then choose frames, plenty of choice. Job done.

[heppers75]

Troubleatmill said:

bingybongy said:

COSTCO.

THIS.

^^ +1 Very good, I don't but Mrs H has used them as have a few friends etc on our membership. Apparently compared to your high street chain opticians far better service, no pressure selling etc (which is common by all accounts) and the prices are very keen.

You book by phone, test is a tenner and then choose what you want and they do all the frame fitting there and then.

[Troubleatmill]

steveo3002 said:

whats the procedure in costco then? go in with the prescription and try on some frames etc then order for another day?

any rough ideas on prices ..bearing in mind she just wants decent glasses not overpriced designer names etc

Costco should be able to do your test to.
Most thorough eye examination I have had has been at Costco.

But yes - you can just give them the prescription if you have had it done elsewhere.

[New POD]

Troubleatmill said:

bingybongy said:

COSTCO.

THIS.

This is where my eye test is on Tuesday.

Wife says I should go to 'alice joyce'
FiL says I should go to specsavers
SiL says I should go to silver and rose.

I say "I'll go where I like"

[steveo3002]

will try costco then

could you possibly note down what the frames start at please , doubt we will go until after xmas now

[rfisher]

If she is diabetic then she should be seen in a diabetic clinic once a year.

It may be that she used to do this, and was discharged from the clinic into GP care.

The clinic session includes a proper eye examination by a hospital ophthalmologist.

She should contact her GP if she isn't being seen annually for the diabetes.

All diabetics are entitled to free eye checks on an annual basis.

[steveo3002]

yeah she has the yearly check up to look for diabetes related problems , dont thing its a eye sight related test

[530dTPhil]

I have worn varifocals (not the same pair!) for around twenty years and it really does pay to find someone that knows how to get them right.
I have just taken back a pair of general use varifocals and a pair of occupational varifocals (max range about 60cms, so computer and reading) to Vision Express for a full refund.
This was the second time that they have supplied me with varifocals. On the first occasion, they prescribed an 'advanced' varifocals (their recommendation) which I couldn't get on with and they also centred the second normal pair in the wrong place on my eye. Third pair was OK but I could have done without the hassle.
This time I was impressed with the eye test process and then took the trouble to detail the problems that I had last time. It went in one ear and straight out of the other; it seems that all they were interested in was selling up. The new glasses had exactly the same problems as last time.

On the recommendation of Mrs 530dTPhil, I went to the local optician in our village. The two partners both wear varifocals and understood exactly the problems that I described and the symptoms caused by what I had been supplied. They had even gone to the trouble of making badly centred glasses with their prescription so that they could understand the problems of getting it badly wrong.

Hopefully the new glasses from the local guys will be right first time.

[Simon Brooks]

Have been using Specsaver for several years now, after using an independent optician for donkey's years, excellent service very professional, not to mention incredibly cheap and fantastic deals

[Odie]

all the highstreet opticians are st, very over priced

I use boots, I have a bit more trust in them, but I bought my glasses at asda's opticians. Ive also used online sites as well and they are pretty good, very cheap.

www.speckyfoureyes.com is who I use.

[Simon Brooks]

Odie said:

all the highstreet opticians are st, very over priced

I use boots, I have a bit more trust in them, but I bought my glasses at asda's opticians. Ive also used online sites as well and they are pretty good, very cheap.

www.speckyfoureyes.com is who I use.

Daughter had to start wearing glasses this weekend for first time. £129 for fashion frame with lenses and also prescription sunglasses, pretty sure this would not be described as over priced !!!!