Lens question for any opticians on here!
Discussion
If there's anyone from the optical industry on here I'd be grateful for your view.... I've worn glasses all my adult life and bought many pairs over the years from different places. I've just bought a pair from Asda and the optical clarity seems shocking!
I've got quite a strong myopic prescription (-7) and have some astigmatism in both eyes. I always pay for 1.74 thinner lenses, however Asda being as generous as they are, offer you these for free with their standard price. I was in disbelief but the dispensing optician (who was very helpful by the way) showed me the order as he input it on the system, and low and behold when the specs arrived in store a few days later they were indeed 1.74 lenses. However................. after wearing them for not very long, things didn't seem right. Although the prescription seems fine (as it's the same prescription I've had for years), my eyes started to sting a bit. It became apparent when I looked down at my phone (through the bottom half of the lenses) that the text was blurred or rather ghosted/doubled up on top of itself. Seems to be the same effect in both lenses. I've also noticed that looking out of anything other than the centre of the lenses looks a bit blurry. Whilst this happens to some extent on my other glasses (due to my astigmatism correction), it's significantly worse on these Asda ones and makes looking down and at your phone impossible. It's only not ghosted if I hold it higher up nearer eye level.
I wondered for a moment if perhaps I need varifocals, but then all my other glasses, made to the same prescription, don't have this problem, so surely it can't be that. Am I right in thinking that the reason Asda glasses are so cheap is because the lenses are very much below par with terrible optical clarity? Are all lenses not created equally? Normally wherever I go the choice is only over the different thicknesses, not over different brands of lenses. Do any of the high street opticians sell better? I've never had this problem before so hoping it's just these Asda lenses. My last couple of pairs have been bought online and are way superior in optical clarity, but I fancied giving the high street a try this time.
I've got quite a strong myopic prescription (-7) and have some astigmatism in both eyes. I always pay for 1.74 thinner lenses, however Asda being as generous as they are, offer you these for free with their standard price. I was in disbelief but the dispensing optician (who was very helpful by the way) showed me the order as he input it on the system, and low and behold when the specs arrived in store a few days later they were indeed 1.74 lenses. However................. after wearing them for not very long, things didn't seem right. Although the prescription seems fine (as it's the same prescription I've had for years), my eyes started to sting a bit. It became apparent when I looked down at my phone (through the bottom half of the lenses) that the text was blurred or rather ghosted/doubled up on top of itself. Seems to be the same effect in both lenses. I've also noticed that looking out of anything other than the centre of the lenses looks a bit blurry. Whilst this happens to some extent on my other glasses (due to my astigmatism correction), it's significantly worse on these Asda ones and makes looking down and at your phone impossible. It's only not ghosted if I hold it higher up nearer eye level.
I wondered for a moment if perhaps I need varifocals, but then all my other glasses, made to the same prescription, don't have this problem, so surely it can't be that. Am I right in thinking that the reason Asda glasses are so cheap is because the lenses are very much below par with terrible optical clarity? Are all lenses not created equally? Normally wherever I go the choice is only over the different thicknesses, not over different brands of lenses. Do any of the high street opticians sell better? I've never had this problem before so hoping it's just these Asda lenses. My last couple of pairs have been bought online and are way superior in optical clarity, but I fancied giving the high street a try this time.
Well I might as well update this in case anyone ever reads it again. I went back to Asda and saw the same helpful Dispensing Optician, explaining politely that the distortion/aberration were nothing liked I'd ever experienced on any glasses before and they were unwearable. He had no words, just straight up offered a refund before I even had chance to ask. I did ask if they could fit different brands of lenses but his response was "a single vision 1.74 lens" is "a single vision 1.74 lens". Clearly this isn't strictly true however I can't complain about the swift resolution. If I had to say, I suspect I'm not the first conscientious spectacle wearer to bring this issue to his attention.
Back to the drawing board, so would still welcome any insider advice.
Back to the drawing board, so would still welcome any insider advice.
I am not an optician, but I would say that not all lenses are the same.
I am way closer to the normal eyesight, no astigmatism, much lower numbers. I bought Maui Jims, amazingly clear, really nice. Normal glasses were good, but there was a difference (did not help that I dropped and scratched them 2 days after buying them...)
The wife bought a set of glasses from a high street opticians shop - they managed to get one lens in upside down, she had to go back and fight it a couple of times before they actually looked at it and realized.
In summary - not all lenses are equal, either try again, or try a different place.
I am way closer to the normal eyesight, no astigmatism, much lower numbers. I bought Maui Jims, amazingly clear, really nice. Normal glasses were good, but there was a difference (did not help that I dropped and scratched them 2 days after buying them...)
The wife bought a set of glasses from a high street opticians shop - they managed to get one lens in upside down, she had to go back and fight it a couple of times before they actually looked at it and realized.
In summary - not all lenses are equal, either try again, or try a different place.
Hi
I am phope's wife and a Dispensing Optician. I'm afraid there could be a few factors influencing the problems you are experiencing.
1) Asda do offer high index(the thin materials) if the prescription requires it. They are not hiding anything and technically you are getting an absolute bargain. The majority or prescriptions are much lower and do not necessitate 1.74, therefore they can afford to take a hit on their profit margin in return for being able to say they do high index for free. But, I suspect they are not keen to remake the lenses and just give a refund rather than risk denting the profit margin deeper.
2) In terms of technology, single vision these days is no longer standard. Freeform technology has been used for varifocals for a good number of years but it is also available in single vision. As you are aware, your lenses are thicker at the edges than the middle of the lens. When you look off from the centre of the lens, the stronger the lens, the more you are affected by distortions - resulting in uncomfortable vision. Standard single vision lenses do not compensate for this but freeform lenses (sometimes referred to as HD lenses) do - although will not eliminate them completely.
3) Measurements. The stronger your prescription, the more accurate the measurements need to be. If the optical centre of the spectacle lens does not correspond to your pupil measurement (when you are looking straight ahead), then issues can arise. We refer to it as induced prism and the result is uncomfortable vision. Now this is where it gets complicated....
- if you have been wearing a pair of specs that have got incorrect centres and the new lenses are centred correctly, then your brain is used to the 'wrong' contraption and it can take time and patience to get used to the 'correct' measurements.
- if your specs are 'wrong' and the old ones are 'correct', you will struggle to settle
- with your prescription, vertical measurements should also be taken. Again, if they have been guessed/incorrect in the past, issues can occur. Then again, if they are wrong now, issues can occur
- again due to your prescription, the distance of the frame away from your eyes needs to be taken into account. If the spectacle frame is sitting much closer/further away from the prescription when you were tested, the prescription needs to have the numbers modified to ensure that you have the best possible vision. Think of a magnifier....the further you hold it away from your eye, the bigger the image you will see. The magnifier does not change in 'prescription' but you are affecting the prescription by changing the distance away from your eye.
4) lens form. We all know that 2 + 2 = 4 but so does 3 + 1. The end result is exactly the same but the way they are configured is different. This goes for the same with lenses being made. Curves on the front and back surfaces give the final prescription but the 'base' used by the lab may be different and some people are sensitive to this. Again if someone is sensitive to this, then their vision is not comfortable.
You have not mentioned your age so I can't comment on whether varifocals are the way to go for you - although what you are describing does not indicate to me that varifocals is the solution.
I would urge you to stop buying online and go and visit a local optician. Whether you choose an independent or multiple, it is entirely up to yourself. Chat to DOs in a few places and see who you gel with. Please don't just go on who is the cheapest. For instance, I work for a large group and we class ourselves as independent. I know I am not the cheapest but my patients trust me and know that I will do my best to solve their vision needs and give them the best possible solutions.
Wherever you go, explain all the issues you have had. Take your specs with you (especially the ones where your vision is most comfortable). It is easy for us to measure old specs to see exactly what the prescription is AND all the measurements to see what measurements you are most comfortable with. I would also ensure that you ask for the Dispensing Optician (rather than an optical assistant).
Any questions, please ask :-)
I am phope's wife and a Dispensing Optician. I'm afraid there could be a few factors influencing the problems you are experiencing.
1) Asda do offer high index(the thin materials) if the prescription requires it. They are not hiding anything and technically you are getting an absolute bargain. The majority or prescriptions are much lower and do not necessitate 1.74, therefore they can afford to take a hit on their profit margin in return for being able to say they do high index for free. But, I suspect they are not keen to remake the lenses and just give a refund rather than risk denting the profit margin deeper.
2) In terms of technology, single vision these days is no longer standard. Freeform technology has been used for varifocals for a good number of years but it is also available in single vision. As you are aware, your lenses are thicker at the edges than the middle of the lens. When you look off from the centre of the lens, the stronger the lens, the more you are affected by distortions - resulting in uncomfortable vision. Standard single vision lenses do not compensate for this but freeform lenses (sometimes referred to as HD lenses) do - although will not eliminate them completely.
3) Measurements. The stronger your prescription, the more accurate the measurements need to be. If the optical centre of the spectacle lens does not correspond to your pupil measurement (when you are looking straight ahead), then issues can arise. We refer to it as induced prism and the result is uncomfortable vision. Now this is where it gets complicated....
- if you have been wearing a pair of specs that have got incorrect centres and the new lenses are centred correctly, then your brain is used to the 'wrong' contraption and it can take time and patience to get used to the 'correct' measurements.
- if your specs are 'wrong' and the old ones are 'correct', you will struggle to settle
- with your prescription, vertical measurements should also be taken. Again, if they have been guessed/incorrect in the past, issues can occur. Then again, if they are wrong now, issues can occur
- again due to your prescription, the distance of the frame away from your eyes needs to be taken into account. If the spectacle frame is sitting much closer/further away from the prescription when you were tested, the prescription needs to have the numbers modified to ensure that you have the best possible vision. Think of a magnifier....the further you hold it away from your eye, the bigger the image you will see. The magnifier does not change in 'prescription' but you are affecting the prescription by changing the distance away from your eye.
4) lens form. We all know that 2 + 2 = 4 but so does 3 + 1. The end result is exactly the same but the way they are configured is different. This goes for the same with lenses being made. Curves on the front and back surfaces give the final prescription but the 'base' used by the lab may be different and some people are sensitive to this. Again if someone is sensitive to this, then their vision is not comfortable.
You have not mentioned your age so I can't comment on whether varifocals are the way to go for you - although what you are describing does not indicate to me that varifocals is the solution.
I would urge you to stop buying online and go and visit a local optician. Whether you choose an independent or multiple, it is entirely up to yourself. Chat to DOs in a few places and see who you gel with. Please don't just go on who is the cheapest. For instance, I work for a large group and we class ourselves as independent. I know I am not the cheapest but my patients trust me and know that I will do my best to solve their vision needs and give them the best possible solutions.
Wherever you go, explain all the issues you have had. Take your specs with you (especially the ones where your vision is most comfortable). It is easy for us to measure old specs to see exactly what the prescription is AND all the measurements to see what measurements you are most comfortable with. I would also ensure that you ask for the Dispensing Optician (rather than an optical assistant).
Any questions, please ask :-)
Thanks for the very comprehensive response. My problem with the Asda specs was not so much the prescription as the lens quality. It was absolutely terrible and something I've never experienced in all my years (40 of them). My conclusion was that the lenses were cheap for a reason i.e. the distortions they gave were far worse than I've ever known. Maybe it's a coincidence but I figured I got what I paid for! I did try looking through each lens independently of the other, moving the frames up and down and left and right in case something was "off" but no matter what I did, the distortion was horrendous. I therefore can't see it being manufacture or measurement error, unless you think it's possible?
I see your point with regards to measurements possibly being "off" in the past but the eyes are used to them so if a new pair are actually correct then they take some getting used to. Problem is that most people, or rather me anyway, always has multiple pairs of glasses on the go for different reasons, so they would all need to be the same, as no point getting used to one if I then wear a different pair the next day.
My other concern is tolerances. Theres British standard tolerances for PD, axis etc which seems crazy to me. An optician can get these figures spot on then tolerances allow for a PD 2mm different to what was specified!
I see your point with regards to measurements possibly being "off" in the past but the eyes are used to them so if a new pair are actually correct then they take some getting used to. Problem is that most people, or rather me anyway, always has multiple pairs of glasses on the go for different reasons, so they would all need to be the same, as no point getting used to one if I then wear a different pair the next day.
My other concern is tolerances. Theres British standard tolerances for PD, axis etc which seems crazy to me. An optician can get these figures spot on then tolerances allow for a PD 2mm different to what was specified!
Edited by Toyoda on Sunday 23 February 20:56
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