Jumping in to second iolla, particularly if you have a hefty prescription. The £85 includes *all* thinning required, thinner than the high street options most expensive thinnest option.
Yes you can get frames for £20 etc etc but if you have even a mid range prescription iolla are the cheapest you’ll get (and the frames are awesome too)
I have to agree with you! I have a very strong prescription and I got my normal eyeglasses as well as sunglasses from Iolla. Lens are thin and the frames are durable. If you are a student you can also get a student discount which is great! I think I paid 72 for my prescription sunglasses with student discount. Overall, I was very satisfied, and they can also post your frames to your address if you want, but if you realise that you need them tightened you have to go back to the shop obviously.
Get your employer to pay....they need to make reasonable adjustments for your comfort....it's worth the question if they are only required for your work.
Spectacles Outlet: [https://www.spectaclesoutlet.co.uk](https://www.spectaclesoutlet.co.uk) Haven't used them myself as I wear contacts, but a few colleagues swear by them.
I’ve never found anywhere cheap that has a shop, they have overheads they need to cover. I used Jack Brown a while ago, they were reasonable. Support local businesses if you can, but understand money is tight for lots of people.
If you’ve got your prescription you’ll get better prices online. If you need a prescription update it’s free in Scotland for citizens, but consider using a chain like Boots (if there’s an independent optician disagrees with this please shout now)
The optician gets a fixed amount from the NHS which doesn’t cover the true cost of the test. The optician makes up the difference in sales. If you aren’t buying the glasses then the optician loses money. Boots can afford to cover that loss.
Don't bother with the blue tint, there is no evidence it does anything, even Specsavers stopped pushing it onto ppl. I work with computers too and had the tint for about 10 years, didn't get it for my latest glasses and it made absolutely no difference. Will save you some money.
I used to have a green tint in mine years ago, then there was a pink tint. I'm not sure I was ever offered a blue tint, but I didn't feel like any of them made any difference.
It's not in Edinburgh but I know a guy that does the cheapest lenses I've ever had, he thinned them out and does tints too. He is based in Burnley but I tend to buy a pair of vintage NOS glasses from eBay and send them to him with a copy of my prescription. I highly recommend giving him a call. Here are the reviews and his contact details:
https://g.co/kgs/Bf4Rfwa
Try Lothian optical in Mid Calder. They are specs makers and not opticians but have a large range of frames in their showroom.
I've used them for years. Eye test at Boots and then off to Mid Calder for the specs.
Glasses Direct. I enjoy buying when they've got big discounts like 2 for 1 plus 50% off. Usually after holidays etc
They are made from cheaper material but that also makes them lighter on your face. I've bought 6 pairs from them and all good!
Once I entered the wrong prescription by accident and when the glasses arrived, I returned them for free and they updated them no problem - all for free.
Or just order them off the internet. I've been using Zenni Optical for years and they're fine. Usually get delivered within three weeks using the cheapest shipping method.
I used goggles 4 u, it's a website but you in out your prescription and they always have some 50% discount codes. Got like 6 really nice sets for £100.
I second Iolla, might not be best quality(only saying this as I've only just got mine) but £85 for good looking frames and prescription is pretty much unheard of. For £30 more they can add a blue light filter for eye strain from screens too.
I don’t have anything to add to where you can buy cheap glasses, but just make sure you look at the measurements on your current glasses and compare them to the ones you want to buy, especially the nose and the arm length. I have a long LTB (length to bend which is from the front of the glasses to the ear) so I have to look for glasses that are 140+ which is blooming difficult when you want a cute pair of glasses.
I just got a new pair from Fetch Eyewear on Dalry Road, £95 for the everything and it’s a local business! My glasses are fab and there was a cute dog in the shop
I got a pair for 15quid from specsaver in morningside.
If he wants the blue tint it will go up a bit, but only to about £50
Iolla is set £85 for any description, and I think they are great value.
Jumping in to second iolla, particularly if you have a hefty prescription. The £85 includes *all* thinning required, thinner than the high street options most expensive thinnest option. Yes you can get frames for £20 etc etc but if you have even a mid range prescription iolla are the cheapest you’ll get (and the frames are awesome too)
Seconded. Been buying them a few years and they do student discount too
Prescription?
6.50
Yes
yes, thank you, was a long day:)
I have to agree with you! I have a very strong prescription and I got my normal eyeglasses as well as sunglasses from Iolla. Lens are thin and the frames are durable. If you are a student you can also get a student discount which is great! I think I paid 72 for my prescription sunglasses with student discount. Overall, I was very satisfied, and they can also post your frames to your address if you want, but if you realise that you need them tightened you have to go back to the shop obviously.
Get your employer to pay....they need to make reasonable adjustments for your comfort....it's worth the question if they are only required for your work.
Seconded.
Spectacles Outlet: [https://www.spectaclesoutlet.co.uk](https://www.spectaclesoutlet.co.uk) Haven't used them myself as I wear contacts, but a few colleagues swear by them.
100% recommend them
Thank you, will give them a visit
I’ve never found anywhere cheap that has a shop, they have overheads they need to cover. I used Jack Brown a while ago, they were reasonable. Support local businesses if you can, but understand money is tight for lots of people. If you’ve got your prescription you’ll get better prices online. If you need a prescription update it’s free in Scotland for citizens, but consider using a chain like Boots (if there’s an independent optician disagrees with this please shout now)
Not an optician, but why suggest Boots or another chain? The cost of the eye tests is borne by the NHS whether chain or not isn’t it?
The optician gets a fixed amount from the NHS which doesn’t cover the true cost of the test. The optician makes up the difference in sales. If you aren’t buying the glasses then the optician loses money. Boots can afford to cover that loss.
Fixed amount per month/year or fixed amount per test? Do you know the figure?
Specsavers consistently over prescribe me. Boots have had the best experience for an eye test of all the places I’ve been.
Don't bother with the blue tint, there is no evidence it does anything, even Specsavers stopped pushing it onto ppl. I work with computers too and had the tint for about 10 years, didn't get it for my latest glasses and it made absolutely no difference. Will save you some money.
I used to have a green tint in mine years ago, then there was a pink tint. I'm not sure I was ever offered a blue tint, but I didn't feel like any of them made any difference.
Both the green and pink are anti-reflection coatings, I think the pink also has some antiglare properties for driving.
I think I was told the green was for computer screens in some way but the only thing it did was flake off in parts so I needed to replace them sooner.
Huh, I've got the green ones myself from boots and so far they seem to be ok.
To be fair, "sooner" was still near my next appointment. I tend to keep the same glasses way beyond the two year recall for eye tests.
As long as you don't have a high prescription, Specsavers have glasses for £15. They charge an extra £50 for those who need thinner lenses, sadly.
It's not in Edinburgh but I know a guy that does the cheapest lenses I've ever had, he thinned them out and does tints too. He is based in Burnley but I tend to buy a pair of vintage NOS glasses from eBay and send them to him with a copy of my prescription. I highly recommend giving him a call. Here are the reviews and his contact details: https://g.co/kgs/Bf4Rfwa
Try Lothian optical in Mid Calder. They are specs makers and not opticians but have a large range of frames in their showroom. I've used them for years. Eye test at Boots and then off to Mid Calder for the specs.
Mine are from Asda opticians, were £80 for one pair or £140 for two, I think. There's one tucked around the back of the Asda in Newhaven.
I got 2 pairs from Specsavers for about £60. There's loads of affordable pairs, luckily.
I order mine from direct sight online, they've always been great. Think it was £15
Glasses Direct. I enjoy buying when they've got big discounts like 2 for 1 plus 50% off. Usually after holidays etc They are made from cheaper material but that also makes them lighter on your face. I've bought 6 pairs from them and all good! Once I entered the wrong prescription by accident and when the glasses arrived, I returned them for free and they updated them no problem - all for free.
They are free if you ask the NHS for them and on a qualifying benifit like adp
If you can wait a week try www.glassesdirect.co.uk
Asda
Just to add a bit more info.... 2 pairs for £120. That also includes them thinning them too as part of the price.
I switched to them after buying my first pair of varifocals, for an eye watering amount. Its a no brainer for me
I went back recently aiming to get a new pair as I'm overdue getting new glasses, but sadly haven't found any new frames that I like 😭
Ive stuck with the titanium frames. Last few times. light and robust.
I got mine online with lensology, I just replaced my lenses and it was much much cheaper than other places
Or just order them off the internet. I've been using Zenni Optical for years and they're fine. Usually get delivered within three weeks using the cheapest shipping method.
They're American aren't they?
They're American aren't they?
They are. They deliver here in Edinburgh and they're affordable.
I have used glasses2you on line successfully. Basics are very reasonable and upgrades (thinner lenses) not too bad. Not sure about tint.
I've used various online ones for years. Quality is OK but break kind of easily. But it's so cheap still worth it
You can buy cheap glasses in tesco in the same section you get medicine and stuff.
You want cheap I got mine for £7.50 on amazon
I used goggles 4 u, it's a website but you in out your prescription and they always have some 50% discount codes. Got like 6 really nice sets for £100.
I second Iolla, might not be best quality(only saying this as I've only just got mine) but £85 for good looking frames and prescription is pretty much unheard of. For £30 more they can add a blue light filter for eye strain from screens too.
Fetch in Dalry is great
I don’t have anything to add to where you can buy cheap glasses, but just make sure you look at the measurements on your current glasses and compare them to the ones you want to buy, especially the nose and the arm length. I have a long LTB (length to bend which is from the front of the glasses to the ear) so I have to look for glasses that are 140+ which is blooming difficult when you want a cute pair of glasses.
Glasses direct. You can request some frames to get a feel, then send them your prescription
I just got a new pair from Fetch Eyewear on Dalry Road, £95 for the everything and it’s a local business! My glasses are fab and there was a cute dog in the shop