Any advice please for online prescription glasses.

I've used glasses direct, I am really pleased with them just make sure you do a good measurement between your pupils so that the glasses fit well.

I’ve used Glasses Direct before, and found them easy to deal with. You need a prescription from an optician though, and it’s a bit of a faff to set up your account in the first place. You have to send a photo of your face with a credit card (an Advantage Card or similar will do) positioned on it, so that they can measure the distance between your pupils, but once that’s done they keep it on record.

Their range is good, and they do work out cheaper than the high street, but not as cheap as the adverts suggest, by the time you add on all the necessary ‘extras’.

I tried online glasses once and wouldn't recommend them.
Unless you have a very simple prescription you will need precise measurements that the optician takes as well as your prescription.
I wouldn't worry about visiting the optician as they are taking all necessary precautions.
Do you have a Specsavers nearby? In our local branch they have placed the reception desk at the front door and chairs for waiting outside. Please ring your optician and tell them your fears.

I would be interested too. I recently sat on my good pair and I would love a couple of inexpensive pairs to have in reserve.

Snap, elless?

Pittcity, the credit card photo deals with the measurements, as the pupil distance doesn’t change. I use varifocals and their glasses (I have several pairs) have been fine.

I must've just been unlucky. I'm sure I used glasses direct and I wasn't happy at all with them.

It's great to have a pair in every room - as I forget where they are (if they're not perched on top of my head).

That is my concern Pittcity. Many years ago I felt giddy and had headaches from glasses that weren’t cantered properly. My then optician told me it was because I had to get used to them. I changed optician and it was rectified. I’ve always been a bit wary ever since. I don’t like Specsavers tbh.

My Macular Degeneration was first diagnosed by an optician examining my eyes properly so I was grateful he did find the problem.
There are usually very cheap frames at the opticians- maybe not the height of fashion but will do you fine. It is the lenses that cost the money.
I also would not go to Specsavers. My local advertise in the street which I do not think is professional.

I’ve had a bad experience with Specsavers too, I now use Asda.
I used glasses direct some years ago for varifocals, someone came to my house to check fit etc, not sure if they still do that.

I have lost most of the sight in one eye and so supermarket 'readers' suit me fine as I use only one eye for reading and computer..

I'd always buy returnable glasses or select them from a supermarket or other shop such as garden centre. I once bought glasses online and the nose things that fit against the bit above the nose bone were made of some metal that gave me permanent small red marks .

should have said the bits on the bridge of the nose on the same level as the eyes.

I wear specs from Glasses Direct. They are, in general, cheaper than those from independent or chain opticians, and there is a bigger range of frames. You can send them back if there is a problem.

I was advised by someone who works as a technician in an online glasses service to "just pop over for a proper measurement" so he could see not only the distance between pupils but how high the glasses sit on the bridge of my nose. That way he knew where to place the centre of the lens.

If it's a temporary measure, and cheap, fair enough.
I wouldn't do it for my "real" glasses.

PS these bad glasses were metal frames, and I always have plastic frames now

I don't like Specsavers either. It's just that the OP was concerned about going inside a shop and our local Specsavers will talk to you at the door.

Any of the opticians are really only as good as the staff who work there. But I would say I got new glasses during a lockdown and just got on with them. But was mighty glad when I went in to the opticians to get them properly centered and tightened, it made so much difference on comfort all around. Just that little bit of tweaking unavailable from online purchases.

I have always used Specsavers and found them excellent they found that I was suffering Wet AMD after a routine eye health check and it has been dealt with very quickly and restored my blurred vision back to normal,I have looked at on line ordering but you don't get that personal service and they obviously can't diagnose any future problems that you are unaware of.

Our local independent opticians are great. Appointments only and mask wearing by all. A bit more expensive than online but great service and are always there for after sales problems. I did use my prescription to buy swimming goggles online though.

dogsmother can you explain how they managed to centre them after the lens had ben cut please? If this was indeed possible it may be a solution - but I don’t understand how it can work.
Thank you.

If you use a good Optician they may be able to fit your current lenses into a new frame or even fit a new front to your current glasses (depending on what’s damaged) to see you through to your next eye examination. At least this saves the cost of new lenses.

At my recent appointment with Specsavers opticians I was diagnosed with Macula degeneration. The ophthalmologist was very thorough, everything was 'Covid safe'. Nothing to fear. Sometimes it is possible to repair spectacles. Perhaps go into your nearest opticians and ask.

As someone who has worn glasses for a long time I would definitely advise you to visit the optician. I have done do recently and felt quite safe. The eye test is comprehensive and flags up any problems you may not be aware of. I feel a regular test is an important part of looking after yourself.