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After 45 years of nearly perfect eyesight, I now need a set of reading glasses for computer/phone and ...er.. reading. Who is the best to go through to get a pair? What other things should i consider as this doesn't look like a cheap thing to get into... Not yet needing for riding or sailing so don't need too much in the way of sunglasses etc yet.
I was the same - recently told I needed glasses for VDU use.
I asked around and the consensus was Specsavers are as good as anywhere. They'll try the upselling but just stick to your guns and you'll be fine.
Of course, this being STW, there'll be the recommendations for artisanal eyewear purveyors before long...
glassesdirect.co.uk
Decent service, can pick frames to try on and most of all cheap without looking too cheap.
Used them a few times over the years but then ended up going down the laser route.
At the other end of the scale from the artisanal eyewear purveyors, you can buy them of the internet quite cheaply from your prescription details**. If this is your first pair however it's probably worth paying for the advice and expertise of an actual person you can talk to. Specsavers are generally a safe bet and reasonably priced.
If you're a computer user at work, your employer should at least pay for the test and likely the glasses too.
**which is what Mr White suggested quicker than me!
This was me too but at 44.
What they don't tell you is that reading glasses suck. In meetings I'd put them on to read whatever nonsense I was meant to be looking at, look up and the world is a blur. So you become that arsehole who has them on his head up and down all the time, or pushes them down your nose to look at people, or is constantly eating the ear end whilst listening to people, or worse still gesticulates with them in your hand when talking. All top end bellendery and you can't help yourself. Nothing says mansplain more than a middle age bloke waggling his glasses in a lady's face whilst talking.
What sir needs are some varifocals, even if the top bit is plain glass so when you have them out they are on and stay on. They will mess with your head for a few days (you have to look with your nose; that'll make sense when you are wearing them) but you adapt quickly. Much more spendy though.
Vision Express for me - fine.
Today I spent £5 for 2 pairs of reading glasses from amazon as the VE ones are no longer strong enough and I can't be bothered to go to the opticians at the moment. They are dreadful but I can see again even if I am a glasses wafting ****er once more.
edit - oh and don't get conned into any anti glare coating for monitor use bollocks. The tiniest bit of dirt and it renders them unusable.
As it's your first pair of age related spectacles I would recommend going to a locally recommended optician. The big chains will have fancy machines and an endless choice of frames whereas an indy might give better advice. I would say getting good lenses very important.
Although you can get glasses cheaper online, I'd leave the online glasses suppliers & opticians until you've been wearing and using your new goggles for a while.
My wife bought me two pairs for a fiver off amazon as a jokey 50th prezzie. TBH they're great for close up work, reading instructions type of thing where I'm struggling now. I don't need them for general reading though or using the pc, if I did I think i'd at least get a proper eye test first.
What sir needs is some varifocals,
I got my first ever pair last year but the opposite, for driving / distance. What I didn't realise until it was too late is that whilst they're great for distance, it actually makes closer sight worse. I'll be getting varifocals next time. £££ but worth asking the question.
Specsavers are as good as anywhere. They’ll try the upselling but just stick to your guns and you’ll be fine.
Pretty much my experience. I went to Specsavers and got glasses for driving. They tried to sell me rain-repellent coatings (my car has a roof), some shizzle that'll repel ink (I don't stick felt-tip pens in my eyes whilst driving) and so forth. I just said no and they went "OK then," can't blame them for trying I guess.
What other things should i consider as this doesn’t look like a cheap thing to get into…
it really is glasses are expensive. One way to make it cheaper is get sunglasses then get optical lenses in them as the frames are often cheaper. I need glasses all the time but don't have a massive correction go for sunglasses with normal lenses. When it comes to sport contacts all the way.
Asda were miles out on my first prescription. I use +2 for close work and 2.5 normally. Cheap £1 shop rubbish what seems to suit. Asda said 4.5 and 5.5 lenses required so I purchased some online for about £20. It's going to be a long time before I need them.
Of course, this being STW, there’ll be the recommendations for artisanal eyewear purveyors before long…
now you mention it cubitts make some really nice glasses but I always opt for RayBans. I feel like I wear them every day so might as well get good ones. And have had 2 sets in like 15+ years.
Of course, this being STW, there’ll be the recommendations for artisanal eyewear purveyors before long…
45 years of nearly perfect eyesight, I now need a set of reading glasses for computer/phone and …er.. reading.
Though they will get worse over time and if you are paying I got reading glasses off Amazon having just tested the required strength at boots or somewhere.
Depends on your requirements... do you want the "best you can see" or to be able to read comfortably. 10yrs ago it was comfier... and until 5yrs ago it was mostly arm length... since then either my arms have shrunk or my eyesight got worse 😉
Short term I'd consider an anti-mist something...
If you go to an optician you'll doubtless get a "better" set.. at least for a while but for me the "can I read comfortably" is usually more important than "is that the absolute best".
If you read in bed or need to carry them about to read a phone/map/GPS etc. having a cheap pair or two is also good for me.
now i have lost the afternoon, trying on glasses in various "shops", virtually. Or my kids have with my laptop...
Ooh I can be the first artisan bellend! I have a pair of titanium Oakley glasses and they are ace. Very light and I’ll have them for years. Been wearing specs since I was about six though and always have two pairs on the go. Other pair are Oakley too, I just like their frames. Normally get my eyes tested at Vision Express, try the frames on in store, laugh at the insane prices they charge, go home and buy them for half that online.
A vcouple of years ago now but I got two pairs of prescription readers from specsavers for £30
MUch better than off the shelf.
Three years of glasses here, I'm 46. I bought a cheaper pair from Specsavers - they were OK...however after a year I was back to headaches and sore eyes at the end of the day.
The local independent checked me again - the Specsavers lenses had one of focal areas off where it should have been, plus they suggested 'occupational' lenses - designed for reading to VDU, with proper posh coating, from Nikon.
soooo much better for me, and worth the extra cash (£200 vs £70 for a year at Specsavers)
I have 4 pairs of Oakleys - 2 pairs I bought full price, 2 pairs were bought ex-display, dirt cheap off eBay and got reglazed at Specsavers for about 30 odd quid.
I also have a couple of cheap Specsavers ones that I got in one of their 2 for one deals - perfectly good as emergency, leave in the car type specs.
Asda opticians.
Seriously.
I've been on varifocals for the last 25 years & have tried Specsavers & a local independent (had to remortgage for those) then tried Adsa in Harrogate 4 years ago. Spot on.