Can I Get A Refund On New Glasses ?

[CW1]

Hi,

Bought varifocals, as recommended by the opticians, but just can't get on with them. I've had occupational varifocals in the past (for a specific job that I don't do now) & had no problems. These ones are giving me headaches & I can't use the PC or my phone without straining. The manager at the opticians says I should persevere with them as it can take up to 3 months for my eyes to adjust (!). One problem is the distortion zone, if I look very slightly to the left or right, eg. when typing, it's totally blurred tho' I paid for lenses with a minimal distortion zone. Manager says I need to turn my head but to me that's crazy, that just isn't practical for the job I do.

This is an optician I've never used before & I'm not confident they've got the prescription right. I want to give these up & go back to the optician I've used before & have faith in.

Can I return these for a refund, or am I obliged to go with their advice & either persevere (don't feel that's an option) or get occupational varifocals / separate glasses for reading & distance ?

[bhg481]

The problem with varifocals is that they are a compromise; the alternative is to have a pair of specs for every occasion, which is largely impractical. For everyday use ie, walking about, looking at the odd bit of reading matter, driving etc they are very useful; for a particular task, such as sitting reading, they are best replaced with a fixed-focal length pair. I have a cheap fixed pair for using the computer, which are also OK for reading but trying to drive the car with a fixed pair was tricky because the instruments were out of focus. Turning your head to use the right bit of the lens becomes second nature to the extent that people don't realise they are doing it - I just checked myself using my laptop whilst wearing my varifocals; the outermost keys are very slightly blurred if I keep my head still and I found it hard work not to move my head to correct it as it's become habit. Given your time restraints I would suggest that you persevere with the varifocals for a while and get yourself a cheap fixed pair for when you are going to spend some time reading/playing with your phone. I think you'll find that, overall, the varifocals are more convenient if you can get used to them.

[Sheann]

When I got a pair of varifocals from Specsavers and did not get on with them, I went back to the store and they sorted me out a pair for reading and a pair for distance, at no extra cost. As it was them who suggested varifocals in the first instance, there was no problem

[CW1]

I'm looking at the keys on the keyboard, they're all blurry, noticeably more so thru' the right lens, can feel my eyes straining hence headaches. Really awkward if I want to use the numeric keys !

I've been back today with the intention of asking for a refund, told them my lack of confidence in the prescription but they were very persuasive [again !] & offered another eye test next week (free), with a different optician. No reflection on the original ! Then they've suggested I'll probably be better with occupational varifocals (for reading & PC / possibly TV) & a 2nd pair for driving (not that I have any problem driving but following the original test they've said I'm borderline, that was quite a shock !). I'm wary of getting more pairs made up, what if they're no good either, argghh !

[bhg481]

Just a thought. I've been wearing varifocals for 20 years or more; on two occasions the lenses were made up with the centre-point in the wrong place such that I had to tilt my head from its natural position to get clear vision when walking around. It's difficult when sitting in a chair, with the optician at the other side of a table, to hold your head in its natural position whilst they mark the centre-point for each lens and this can result in the lenses being centred wrongly. On both my occasions I, like you, was given a free retest - no prescription change but the replacement lenses, with new centre-points, were perfect.

[Tuvok]

Could you go to another optition for a second opinion - then you'd have proof to go bac to the first with?

[vulcan42]

If all the keys are blurry then something is seriously wrong. Just a thought, a friend of mine had much the same problem and they eventually found the the prescription had got muddled up, the lens for the right eye was on the left.

[CW1]

bhg481 , vulcan42, either could well be the case but they've now cancelled today's appointment for a 2nd eye test with a different optician. Very inconvenient as today's the only day I could get there for another week or so. Now I definitely want to take the glasses back, get a refund & start again with the opticians I've been to previously. Will take a while (as I'm tied up for a week or so) & will no doubt end up more expensive (last glasses I got from them 6 or 7 yrs ago were £550, this prescription, if right, will be more complicated), but have more faith that they'd be right. If I wait for another appointment with this other optician, I'm not convinced they won't be wrong again. *sigh*

[hc4361]

If at all possible go when they are very busy and calmly but firmly state your case and insist on a full refund. Use terms like 'not fit for purpose'; 'let down by them cancelling appointments'; 'lost faith in the company'; 'poor customer service'.

Write a brief timeline on a piece of paper before you go with the date you collected the glasses and the dates you have asked for a refund.
Make a note of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 which states goods must be fit for purpose and if they aren't the store must refund your money in full. Take a print out to back up your claim.

[CW1]

Update:
Went for a 2nd [free] test yesterday, with a different optician at the same shop. That prescription was, quote, "wildly" different to the 1st, & showed no problem with distance (unlike the 1st test where I was told I was borderline & probably illegal for driving). They've ordered a pair of occupational varifocals & I've been told if they're no good, will have to be a single lens or I can have a refund (latter would take some time tho' as dealt with by head office. Any overpayment I've already made will also be paid by ho). They are trying ! :)

[hc4361]

Glad to hear you are getting some sort of resolution. Hope the new glasses do the job