Specsavers vs the others?

[awa355]

I've had an eye exam from OPSM, and need new glasses (I knew that). This time for wearing full time , so Progressive lens' it is. Looking at the top level of lens which give a wider focus area etc, and with a transitional coating, about $1600. (includes $360 frame).

I currently have a pair of Specsavers for reading, but have never been happy with them and always said I would never go back there. Specsavers price for their equivalent glasses, around $1000 and with a second pair thrown in.

At that price, are Specs,, using sub quality lens?. What has your experiences been with SS v OPSM?.

Edited; I am now driving a school bus and with going to specs full time, I don't want to scrimp on quality for the sake of a few dollars, but do not want to waste $'s I haven't got.

[Madness]

I won't use anything but Hoya lenses any more after having some very disappointing experiences with other brands. I've been into the likes of OPSM and SpecSavers but walked out again after feeling like they were going to try & sell me life insurance or a set of saucepans in addition to new spectacles. Proper Optometrists for the win, you can keep your Aussie chain stores thanks.

[caspernz]

Proper optometrist for me as well thanks. If you're ok with the OPSM approach, sweet. Just checked and my optometrist is part of the Visique network. Good patient methodical consult, and never an issue with the end result. If your prescription is anything but mild and simple, then I'd consider Specsavers...but you've already found the result of that approach first hand

[rambaldi]

My last pair, which at the time I wore full time, I went with online (I think clearly contacts, who do glasses as well as contacts). I was pretty happy with them and they were significantly cheaper than in a store. As a first time customer with that and the other promotion I ended up only paying for the coatings on the lenses.

Some people are more particular about their glasses and that approach might not work for them but the price certainly made it an attractive option.

[Blackbird]

Proper optometrist for me as well thanks. If you're ok with the OPSM approach, sweet. Just checked and my optometrist is part of the Visique network. Good patient methodical consult, and never an issue with the end result. If your prescription is anything but mild and simple, then I'd consider Specsavers...but you've already found the result of that approach first hand

+1 for proper optometrists. I use Paterson Burn in the Waikato. The have quality diagnostic equipment which gave me early warning of a problem before it became a major issue and could be easily dealt with. You do pay bigger money for the specs but that's only part of the equation.

[awa355]

Geezus!! I'm thick, It was Patersonburn Optometrists I went to, not OPSM. And I have to admit, the eye examination was fairly intense, far more than the wall chart that SS had on the wall.

The lady told me that a major cause of smeary scratchy marks on lenses comes from rubbing clean with a dry cloth. She recommended washing the glasses in warm soapy water. Never heard of that one before.

[Quasievil]

The best thing I have ever done was get Laser treatment, it was expensive but worth it, can you consider that as an option?

[huff3r]

I can definitely say that Specsavers eye exams are sub par.

However I have had glasses from there (using a prescription from a real optometrist) for the past 4 years until my LASIK 2 weeks ago. They were perfectly adequate, never noticed any issues or any difference in quality to any of my previous glasses. I did pick good quality brand name frames however as their cheap ones do feel very cheap.

But what Quasi said, if laser is an option, at $6k for both eyes vs $1600 for glasses every few years it's a bit of a no brainer. I have had better than expected results from mine and its pretty low impact apart from the day of the surgery.

[BMWST?]

i went to spec savers this time.I ussually go to an optomerist but the guy who actually fitted my glasses disnt do a very good job.I went back a couple of times but its hard to get there when you work over 20 kilometres from a central city office.I ended up getting the best progressive lenses spec savers could get me,and the cost was almost as much as the optomersit.I also got a pair of prescrition sunglaases for "free"Free actauuly means 200 dollars if you have the progressives i had.Now THAT was a bloody good idea!.The eye exam was quite thorough.It was convenient to be able to do it on a saturday morning

[Akzle]

as a not-full time blind cunt, i now use spec savers. $65 and i haven't killed them yet, after having killed a $420 pair, $380 pair, $300 pair ("proper optometrist"), an a couple of $130 pairs ("budget optometrist")

have also killed a pair of prescription sunnies, $500, and several pairs of non. $200-$400. within the space of a few years.

tractors and 2-toke powertools are not kind to glassies. you also cant wear them diving or snow-falling.

i've treated the SS ones no nicer, and they're not scratched to shit (T+6 months). they bend but i bend them back, one loose arm but a bit of loctite would fix it if i cared.

your shit must be pretty fucked for $1200!!

[Madness]

your shit must be pretty fucked for $1200!!

For as long as I can remember I've been told consistently "I don't think they'll be able to produce lenses with that script to fit those frames" shortly followed with a bill for at least $1,200.

Lucky for me the last pair were an insurance job

[flashg]

I've had an eye exam from OPSM, and need new glasses (I knew that). This time for wearing full time , so Progressive lens' it is. Looking at the top level of lens which give a wider focus area etc, and with a transitional coating, about $1600. (includes $360 frame).

I currently have a pair of Specsavers for reading, but have never been happy with them and always said I would never go back there. Specsavers price for their equivalent glasses, around $1000 and with a second pair thrown in.

At that price, are Specs,, using sub quality lens?. What has your experiences been with SS v OPSM?.

Edited; I am now driving a school bus and with going to specs full time, I don't want to scrimp on quality for the sake of a few dollars, but do not want to waste $'s I haven't got.

I have progressive lenses in my work safety glasses, we are required to wear safety glasses at all times in the workshop (company policy)
The guy that came to work to measure us up (an independent from Australia), said the pentax lenses that specsavers use are about the lowest quality old technology available and give a narrow veiw. OPSM are better quality and dearer.
The company paid for a new eye test at specsavers, new glasses were made in Australia from my new prescription and sent over. What a complete fuckup.
Went to OPSM for a retest and found from their records the specsavers prescription was weaker than what I had five years ago (my eyes haven't improved.) OPSM prescription was sent to Australia, new glasses made and sent over, bloody perfect. Fuck specsavers Ill never go back.
Rant over.

[pete376403]

A former workmate got his prescription locally and had the glasses made up when he went home to Vietnam on holiday. About $ZN25 equivalent and he said they were perfect. The vision industry makes a killing here.

[jellywrestler]

The best thing I have ever done was get Laser treatment, it was expensive but worth it, can you consider that as an option?

on your eyes or did they nueter you with lasers?

[oldrider]

Not very satisfied with Spec-Savers except for access to much cheaper (same type) contact lenses - way way cheaper!

Stopping contacts and returning to spectacles - a work in progress!