Reply to: Buying prescription Glasses online.

[BigRed]

I used to drink with a guy who made glasses for independent opticians, they sent the spec and he made lenses and fitted to frames. He would do me a pair at a 10th of the price of the opticians, bought a selection of frames around and measured arm length overall width, etc. which was more than the opticians ever did.

Glasses are a complete rip off, especially the designer ones. There again, designer anything is a rip off. When I see a woman on her iphone with her Chanel glasses, DKNY watch and Mulberry handbag I avoid them like the plague. At least pick designer goods that the designer is famous for, not just added their name to a random product for the money.

They obviously pick up on this, why else would they ignore an old, fat, brummie

[Dactylion]

I've been using GlassesDirect for years with no problems. But then I only need glasses when driving at night or in the cinema (slightly short-sighted) so I don't need them to be brilliant. They seem Ok though - avoid the plastic ones. And you can return them and exchange if you don't like them

FFS if you are driving in the cinema you damn sure need glasses!

[petergriffin]

Didn't we already settle the issue in this thread:
http://forums.contractoruk.com/gener...cs-online.html

EDIT: I forgot that a proper n00b never uses the search function.

[cojak]

If you are shortsighted, getting the lens thickness right is easier than if you're longsighted. But these guys don't get everything wrong. The problem is some branches used to use unqualified lab technicians. Don't know how things have moved on.

I've used Specsavers for 20 years and have never had a problem with them.

And that's needing high index varifocal torex lenses.

They cost an arm and a leg though...

[Old Greg]

I used specsavers to get my frames re-glazed and the thinner option was the exact same Pentax lens as the more expensive private optician, they're perfect.

I do struggle to see how they can provide a good pair of glasses for £40 but when you go up the price range the lenses are better.

If you are shortsighted, getting the lens thickness right is easier than if you're longsighted. But these guys don't get everything wrong. The problem is some branches used to use unqualified lab technicians. Don't know how things have moved on.

[gingerjedi]

Having worked in the industry I would avoid the budget chains. My mum got a terrible thick lensed pair from a prominent chain. I went in with her to get it sorted. The Dispensing Optician explained that it was due to the prescription. I have him enough rope to hang himself before making him shrivel up in professional frame and agree to replace lenses.

I used specsavers to get my frames re-glazed and the thinner option was the exact same Pentax lens as the more expensive private optician, they're perfect.

I do struggle to see how they can provide a good pair of glasses for £40 but when you go up the price range the lenses are better.

[Old Greg]

If they aren't right, send them back for your money back. I'm not sure how that's much different from a high street optician (assuming high street opticians offer a 100% money back guarantee).

They have an incomplete specification to build so I wouldn't go near them.

A lot of varifocals are built sub-optimally and in any case take a while to get used to, so the first respeonse from the supplier is usually to give them a couple of weeks. But a professional optician will first check the prescription, positioning of lenses and fitting of frames.

There really is a good chance that you will end up with specs that you can muddle along with but who've could be a lot better.

But you pays your money...

[TheFaQQer]

Have just worked through lensway's ordering system for varifocals. Although the pupillary distance is included, there is no indication of how the centre of the distance portion of the lens is positioned in front of the pupil height-wise. And indeed this is not possible without the patient wearing the frame sat in front of a dispenser.

Proceed with caution.

If they aren't right, send them back for your money back. I'm not sure how that's much different from a high street optician (assuming high street opticians offer a 100% money back guarantee).

[Old Greg]

If you use someone with a decent guarantee (Lensway have a good record and a 366 day guarantee) then if you don't like them, or they aren't good enough, then you send them back.

If you've never had varifocals then it;s probably worth getting the first pair right - when my dad got his, he had lots of problems with the ones that the optician provided and needed to get them remade a few times.

Have just worked through lensway's ordering system for varifocals. Although the pupillary distance is included, there is no indication of how the centre of the distance portion of the lens is positioned in front of the pupil height-wise. And indeed this is not possible without the patient wearing the frame sat in front of a dispenser.

Proceed with caution.

[TheFaQQer]

If you use someone with a decent guarantee (Lensway have a good record and a 366 day guarantee) then if you don't like them, or they aren't good enough, then you send them back.

If you've never had varifocals then it;s probably worth getting the first pair right - when my dad got his, he had lots of problems with the ones that the optician provided and needed to get them remade a few times.

[Old Greg]

Tried online once but they turned out to be crap, never again.

Pay a professional to examine you thoroughly and take your time trying different frames, even then my last experience of a high street opticians wasn't entirely without problem but it was easy to get a satisfactory outcome and I got a money off voucher for my inconvenience.

Having worked in the industry I would avoid the budget chains. My mum got a terrible thick lensed pair from a prominent chain. I went in with her to get it sorted. The Dispensing Optician explained that it was due to the prescription. I have him enough rope to hang himself before making him shrivel up in professional frame and agree to replace lenses.

[Old Greg]

A good pair of varifocal specs depends on:

Your prescription
Your pupillary distance
The height of the optical centre if the lens in the frame according to how the frame sits on you.

You really need to get varifocals from an optician.

For simple low prescription single vision distance or reading specs you may be ok with an online retailer.

Would you get complex code written by someone online based on a two line spec in an email?

[gingerjedi]

Tried online once but they turned out to be crap, never again.

Pay a professional to examine you thoroughly and take your time trying different frames, even then my last experience of a high street opticians wasn't entirely without problem but it was easy to get a satisfactory outcome and I got a money off voucher for my inconvenience.

[TheFaQQer]

Maybe your eyesight needs testing - we discussed this the other day.

Try Lensway if you are looking for new glasses and lenses, or Ciliary Blue if you want reglazing.

[sasguru]

I've been using GlassesDirect for years with no problems. But then I only need glasses when driving at night or in the cinema (slightly short-sighted) so I don't need them to be brilliant. They seem Ok though - avoid the plastic ones. And you can return them and exchange if you don't like them