Opticians “ add ons”. Are they worth it?

I had the whole works - varifocals, anti-glare, can’t remember everything - cost £250 I think -

I have varifocals no problems with them at all. I previously had bifocals with antiglare and tint. I didn't find any benefit at all. I suggest just go with prescription don't have tinted lenses either. I have prescription sunglasses too

I skipped on the smear-proof coating once, and regretted it. I was always cleaning my glasses.

It's like going to the hairdressers', innit?

They push mousses, gels, shampoos, conditioners, volumising gunk, stuff "specifically suited to your hair type", anti-split ends tripe, etc, etc.

They'd mercilessly stab you with their scissors if you said "and how much commission do you make pushing this rubbish?"

I have distance and reading glasses. My distance have anti glare as bright lights can set my neurological condition off. Because of my disability. I can't have bi or varifocals .I always go to Specsavers have there 2 pairs for £70 range and buy 2 readers and 2 distance . Plus have the extra test on offer. Which found I was in early stages of cataracts . Have to go yearly for eye test.

Definitely have the extra scan for £5 - I had one yesterday and it showed a detached retina - on my way to Moorfields now for laser treatment. If I hadn’t had the scan who knows what might have happened.

I bought the 2 for 1 including sunglasses instead of having the Reactions lenses which I normally have. Big mistake as its a pain to keep swapping glasses! Luckily they could be charged within 100 (?) days so I had the lenses changed.

I’ve just had second cataract surgery and now should only need reading glasses. Before surgery I had varifocals which were thinned and had reactolite. I thought SpecSavers deal of 2 foe 1 was good but misleading I realised only the 2nd pair of frames were cheap or free the cost of everything else thinning, prescription, any coatings is added on so all that’s free are the frames. Maybe I was a bit dim assuming ‘free/cheap’ east exactly that.
I have the extra scan though and I will go back to SpecSavers for my new glasses as it was my own fault for not realising what their offer meant.

I find I need a hearty breakfast before a visit to a well known high street Opticians. They try to sell you all sorts of nonsense.

it was my own fault for not realising what their offer meant

No it wasn't your fault.

I like the lightweight lenses but don't like anti-glare.

My husband does.

It's only "worth it" if you like it!

Paid a lot for varifocals, anti glare/scratch resistance prescription sunglasses.
I just couldn’t get on with them. Felt sick & dizzy. I had them made back into distance glasses, only thing I look like ‘Deidre Langton’ when driving as they are huge.

I wasn't satisfied with the eye tests at our local Specsavers so I went to an independent optician in my town. I decided to push the boat out and have bought a pair of rather Pru Leith type frames. I am having varifocal/reactions lenses as I can't be bothered with sunglasses.

I only need glasses for distance, which means, mostly, driving. I have reactolite lens with anti-glare coating. i do not need vari-focals, but my mother had several bad falls when wearing varifocals, so stopped wearing them

I’m willing to pay for convenience and anything that makes life easier.

So definitely varifocals. Couldn’t be doing with having to cart another pair of glasses in my bag and swapping to read the menu or price tickets on clothes and then swapping back to walk down the street.

Definitely reactive lenses. For the same reason. Swapping from sunglasses to clear when inside and then back again. Plus I suppose a third pair if you wanted to sit and read in the sun.

Definitely anti glare. It makes driving at night so much easier.

Definitely anti smudge. Bit of vanity here. That old people’s thing of constantly taking their glasses off to wipe them🙄

And definitely extra for a frame that isn’t heavy. Another habit there of taking the glasses off to rub the nose that old people seem to do all the time.

And then I’m willing to pay for frames that look good, suit my face and frankly are a bit of fun. I’ve got my eye on some gorgeous turquoise ones that pick up the colour of my eyes.

I guess I’m past saving money 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

SusieBQ, hope all goes well either way your laser treatment.

Varifocals, photochromic *as I holiday alone in the sun and anti glare for night driving. Yes cost extra but had my old frames fitted with verification lenses for emergencies cost £300. Not needed new prescription for last 2 check ups. Did think though that it cost a 1/3rd of that month's pension so goid job Ive got extra income otherwise my bills would not have been covered!!!

I was never able to get used to any kind or varifocals or bifocals, they just made me feel sick however much I persevered. Personally I have a different pair of glasses for different purposes (in various different coloured frames) and I do have the surface coatings. I think that Specsavers include some coatings in the lense price.
I've recently bought five pairs of glasses there for much the same price as a single pair of varifocals that I bought 20 years ago from an independent optician.

sorry mistype, "lens" not lense.

I got varifocals with anti glare, thin lenses and scratch resistant at Specsavers 3 years ago. Prescription changed a little last year but I couldn’t afford that again! Got exactly the same deal with Asda opticians for £85. Just as good!!

I too had my eyes lasered in the 90s, best decision I ever made. However with age my eyes deteriorated as I knew they would. Optimax explained this to me at the time. The only time I have had any trouble is when I had cataracts done, as one eye was more shortsided and the other more long sided. The surgeon needed details of the laser surgery to ensure I had the correct lens replacements. However Optimax came up trumps even though it was over 20 years. I have had varifocals with all the trimmings ever since and have never had any difficulties with them.

I persevered with varifocals for probably in excess of 25 years until I had lens replacement surgery about 10 years ago, where they discovered that I had a rare congenital condition which meant that my eye muscles didn’t work properly and meant that my eye (RH) didn’t move properly to allow me to actually use the prescription properly. The condition had been missed by various opticians over the years e.g. Specsavers, Tesco, Asda and others all of which had sold me varifocals
#hackedoffmuchly

We use Asda opticians, I've just had 2 pairs of varifocals, one pair being transition (automatically go darker in sunlight) lenses, anti glare plus a specialised scan and photographs of my eyes for £167. Bargain.

I am very short sighted and I love my varifocals. I've had them for years now and would not return to single vision lessons. Saying that they are not for everyone - I find long sighted people take longer to get used to them than those who are short sighted. I agree with Welshpoppy and go to Asda . I also have transition lenses