Buying Varifocals-here or the UK?

[Philoz]

I think I may need to get my eyes retested as I recently mistook the Porkshop in Catalkoy for the laundrette next door,and was confused when the man in the porkshop didn't have my laundry ready for collection.
Specsavers in the UK are currently offering free varifocal lenses (Pentax) from around £130(for basic pentax lenses)-£240(for super deluxe pentax lenses) all in including decent frames and eye test.
Not having used the opticians here (I would probably go in the wrong shop again) I wonder how this compares with the prices here overall.
Any experiences anyone?

[johnerebus]

In the UK over 60s are entitled to a £70.00 discount voucher every two years from the NHS that can be used in any UK opticians . My last pair of light weight lens Varifocals cost me just £150 with the NHS voucher and a further discount the optician was running at the time. Half price. So you'd be paying about £170 for a pair of super delux vaifocals with the NHS and Specsavers discount you mention.

[Halffull]

I didn't get offered the £70 voucher when I last had my eyes tested at 62, and have never heard of this benefit?
When I priced it up it was as cheap to get my varifocals here as it was in the UK,(without the £70 discount) just took my prescription to the Canada opticians and a week later had my glasses, which I am very happy with.

[andrew4232]

i agree if you have your prescription canada optic are fast and good price

[Dalartokat]

You only get help with glasses from the NHS if you are claiming certain benefits. One of them being Pension Credit Guarantee Credit and proof has to be shown. There are 8 vouchers available which are used depending upon the result of your eye test.

[paddywack]

Post 5
It is all down to benefits again, if you have paid your dues all your life you do not get help with anything.

[Halffull]

Glad I'm not missing out then, as a fully paid up self supporting person,
Do get free eye test as my mother has glycoma (think that's how it's spelt) but she is 93!

[Philoz]

Thank you for the suggestions-unfortunately I am well under 60 so don't qualify for anything.
I think I will get a quote from Canada optic before I return to the UK for Xmas.
For some reason whenever I buy specs, I always seem to end up spending 3x the 'special offer price'!

[sophie]

I've just had varifocals from Canada Optics (I think out here they call them graduated) I had to pay 600tl for lenses and frame BUT this is because I have poor eyesite but want lenses as thin as possible and it takes a lot of work. If you need a much lower strength then the prices tumble (unless of course you go for the expensive designer frames) BTW, two years ago I had to pay 699tl for lenses alone at Akay Optic and it took over 4 weeks, never again!!

[muffin]

The price of lenses whether here or in the UK depends on what you have i.e. top of the range varifocals, coating on the lenses to cut computer glare, anti scratch coating etc. or you can go the whole way and add photochromatic coating (sunglasses). On top of this the type of frames chosen also rapidly inflates the final price. My last pair of specs would have cost me in excess of £600 ( in the Uk and I am over 65) but luckily my daughter worked for an optical firm and got me a good discount. So in the end you get what you pay for as usual.

[wanderer]

Uk Birmingham Manor Optical
They are commercial lens manufacturers
http://www.manor-optical.co.uk/
where my wife was quoted £400 for thin lenses frameless (n0 frames round lens just the bridge and side reigns) just they came out at £200 varifocal photo chromic anti scratch/glare
sorted in a couple of days just take your presciption

[Hippocampus]

In my experience, there is not a lot of difference now in the price of top range varifocals between here and UK, but offers are available in UK for a second pair, sunglasses etc.

One thing to consider when buying in the UK is that if something goes wrong, you can't take them back if you live here. I bought a pair from Boots on the strength of a special offer, and after a month they broke. As it was some months later until I was able to take them back, Boots were just not interested, and could not even get the part to repair them. So disgusted was I at losing £400, that I bought my next pair locally.