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ask: glasses or contact lenses with NHS voucher

I got my HC1 Certificate recently and had sight test, got my NHS Optical voucher from Specsavers. Then the next step is to get new glasses or contact lenses.

I never worn contact lenses before but i wish to try this time, but I still need a pair of glasses as a back-up. Now, how to make fully use of the voucher and spend as little money as possible?

If I use the voucher for contact lenses, I can only get the first set free, then I have to pay the lenses monthly, which is £9-22, depending on which opticicans I go. I could use my current glasses as back-up, but I'm afraid it's not suitable very well, since the new lenses would be stronger then the old ones.

If i want to go for glasses, I have to pay the extra thin lenses, or part of the price, myself. since as my optical prescription, I've got to wear thin lenses. the money I have to pay is about £60-80, different in different shops.

Another question is about those opticican shops. It's the first time I buy glasses in the UK, and I don't know which one it's better. basically there are Boots, Specsavers, Optical Express, Vision Express, and anther one I couldn't remember the name. Optical express is the cheapest one, free trial contact lenses and only £9 a month for contact lenses. for normal glasses, I need to pay £59 for the thinner lenses. the other shops are similar, about £22 a month for contact lenses and about 80-100 for thin plastic lenses.

Anybody has the experience and knows which shop is better? are the cheaps ones reliable? give me some advice, please.

Thank you very much for your help!

Reply 1

Traum

Didn't know you can get contacts with NHS voucher... which optician do you go to?

Reply 2

*River

You can get contacts with an NHS voucher, I think the voucher is worth around £30, and as your contacts are never going to cost you more than £22 (from what you've said), you will save more money if you use the voucher towards the glasses.

Reply 3

La Trampa

get contacts monthly ones if u can.i only have to pay £45 every six- something months so i guys it isn't that bad.depends how often i use the contacts.and yeh u should keep the glasses as a spare coz things happen.contatcs r really good when u get the hang of them so i guess u should get them.i've got them n they're great lol can now play basketball without worrying about the ball hitting my glasses lol

Reply 4

Fire Point

In turth, get the glasses as they are more important then if you have any spare get the cheap disposable ones, or temporary ones. It's good that you want to try new ones but don't splash out on acuvue catseyes or such. I'm sure your optician can recommend more to you.

Daibhidh--smile--

Reply 5

promising

i can either get normal glasses or contact lenses, but not both.
yes, almost all opticians recommended glasses, because they said by doing that I can make more use of the voucher, which is more than 50 pounds. If i want to get contact lenses instead, I can ONLY get the first set free, and that's all.

At the end of the day, it's all about money..

Reply 6

Juno

If you buy your contact lenses online then you'll probably save money. You'll need to have a contact lens assessment check up at your opticians first, but that's usually free and they normally give you a free trial pair.

With glasses, I'd pick whichever ones you like best and have the friendliest assistants. Most high street opticians are the same. You'll probably get better value if you go to a small optician rather than a high street name like the ones you've listed though.

Reply 7

reckless

I'm blind. :frown:

Reply 8

Luvbug

Get the glasses. Then you can trial the contact lenses for a month or so. I did this and now just use contact lenses for going out etc because I find them too much hassle for everyday. I also have learn't that daily disposables can last a long time (2 weeks+) when cleaned properly. That way you can cut cost down and if you don't like contacts you can switch back to glasses again.