Frequently Asked Questions
Q.Do you recommend varifocal lenses? My friend couldn't get on with his/her varifocals.
A. There are hundreds of different varifocal designs on the market. Success with varifocals depends on the correct lens choice (depending on frame style, client's occupation and visual requirements) and very accurate measurements. Unfortunately, as with most things in life, quality comes at a price and this is true of spectacle lenses.
Your varifocals will only be dispensed by one of our registered opticians and we are pleased to say that we have very few failures!
Q. Why don't you do special offers or 'two-for-one' on spectacles?
A. We would rather see clients who come to us because of our reputation for service and quality than because we are the cheapest in town. There is usually 'no such thing as a free lunch', therefore either service or product quality normally has to be reduced in order to offer free spectacles to the public.
Q. Why don't you offer free eye tests or tests for £5?
A. We don't do cheap eye tests and then put pressure on clients to buy spectacles. Remember that an optometrist's time has to be paid for - after all, nobody works for nothing - not even the optometrists who carry out 'free' tests!
People over 60 qualify for free NHS eye examinations, as do children, diabetics, glaucoma sufferers, people registered as partially sighted and people on certain state benefits. We don't delegate any of the eye examination to unqualified assistants - you will have our optometrist's undivided attention. We charge £29.50 for a private examination, or £39.50 including retinal photography. NHS patients pay either £10 or £15 for retinal photography, depending on whether or not the eyes need to be dilated.
Q. How do I know that your prices are competitive?
A. We always aim to offer value for money, which is not necessarily the same as being cheap. If you are able to find identical spectacles on sale at another registered optical practice within 30 days of your purchase from us, we will refund the difference in price.* You will, however, find that we generally deal in better quality lenses than many opticians and we would ask you to firstly make sure that you are being quoted for exactly the same product and not a cheaper or optically- inferior unbranded lens. Also, we do not price-match with unregistered "bucket-shop" outlets.
*Written itemised quotation is required.
| 
