After my first glasses – cheap as possible

[Deisel Weisel]

I’m spending too much time squinting at my pc screen, to the extent it’s affecting my work output. Where do I go with my pauper pockets budget? A quick Google, points me towards a free eye-test at Tesco, and their frames seem to start at about £15, which appears to be a lot cheaper than Spec Savers, but that’s just the frames...

Any advice appreciated.

https://www.tescoopticians.com/help-and-advice/fre...

I’m 46 btw.

[Zetec-S]

Assuming you're not self employed, check with your employer for the company policy on eye tests/corrective lenses. Regular computer users are entitled to a paid for eye test and (potentially) a contribution towards the cost of glasses if required for working with display screens. My current (and previous) employer would pay up to £20 for a test and £55 towards glasses if required.

Although aimed more at employers, this might help (p4, halfway down)
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg36.pdf

[brrapp]

Get a free eye test and keep a hold of the prescription.
When I got to 50, I went to my local Boots for a test. I hadn't noticed anything wrong with my eyes except my arms were getting a bit short for reading a newspaper. The optician told me I needed reading glasses . Luckily he was honest as he advised me that their cheapest glasses were around £40 and I'd be just as well buying some of these 'of the shelf' reading glasses from any supermarket or from an online supplier.
I'm currently using a pair of £1.99 reading glasses from Asda, I buy half a dozen pairs at a time and lose them in various cars, sofas etc over the next few months.
Obviously if the optician picks up a problem other than 'old age' you'll have to get a prescription pair, but if you have the prescription the optician gave you, you can order them online at a fraction of the cost.