A long shot I know, but having put off keeping my prescription up to date for about 8 years, the spectacle frame life-cycle is forcing me to take action.
I've tried the independent opticians in my home town (Berkhamsted) and consistently finished up with total, expensive cr@p that doesn't even fit. If I went back to either of them then my next abode is likely to be Strangeways or Parkhurst.
My acquired view of opticians is that they are more interested in putting a hand in your pocket than making money through a longer term value relationship. I'm pretty sure no-one loves opticians, except Mrs Specsavers maybe. I put them on the same rung as estate agents and politicians.
From buying non-prescription reading glasses, I know that my ideal frame is about 50/18/140, so I'm simply looking for someone who will honestly advise on whether varifocals will work, or whether bifocals or single vision lenses could be more realistic for me and my lifestyle. For that advice, I am expecting to pay £100s (and happily so, if the advice is worth it).
</end_rant>
Any suggestions?