Specsavers Opticians (Shop) > Reviews (70)

When I was at university, I found the slides projected on the screen at the front blurry so I sat closer to the front at every opportunity but it wasn't always possible and even when nearer the front, it wasn't always clear. I thought it was all the projectors being out of focus but eventually deducted that I needed glasses so off I went to look for an optician.

Wandered into Vision Express but being a student, saw their prices and walked straight back out again! However, I remembered the "You should've gone to Spec Savers" TV adverts and their Buy One Get One Free offer so off I went to Spec Savers. I first visited one of their branches in Croydon high street (where the Whitgift Centre is) and managed to book an appointment for the same day. There are actually two branches down the high street, probably because they can get very busy. I did have to wait a while before I was served and there weren't even seats left because the branch was so packed.

EYE EXAM

For the benefit of those who do not need glasses and have not taken an eye examination, I'll try and remember the procedure. In the Eye Examination room, I was asked a series of questions such as why I feel I needed an eye exam, whether I drove or not, etc. She then checked my eyes to make sure they were healthy by shining a light thingymajiggy (called a opthalmascope) into them and taking a closer look at them, while asking me to look left, down, right, up and ahead. I was relieved to hear that my eyes were healthy, which I'm usually worried about.

First thing I had to do was try to read rows of letters on this light box thing. I'm sure you all know about this. I had to do this by covering one eye, then covering the other eye. You've probably guessed that I couldn't see the bottom rows. Then I had to wear this weird looking spectacle thing that had slots for lenses, and look at the light box straight ahead of me. She slotted a back lens into the left side to cover my vision to only test my right eye.
The light box had a red area, a green area, and a white area, as well as the large box with the rows of letters that decreased in size. Each of these areas had two small black pictures in them. I had to tell the examiner whether the pictures in the red area were clearer or the green area was clearer with each lens. Each time I answered, she would replace the current lens with another one depending on my answer. Did this quite a few times. After that, she did the same for my left eye. I also had to tell her whether the pictures in the white area were clear or not.
After that phase, I had to read the letters again with the lenses that have been slotted into the weird specs I was wearing. First with my right eye, then with my left eye and it was actually a lot easier to read. Lastly, read the smallest paragraph from this sheet of paper to see whether I needed reading glasses, which I didn't.

The experience was not unpleasant. The eye exam process took about ten to fifteen minutes but seemed a lot shorter.

There was only a slight hint of tension as it was still a secluded room and I was being asked things. Kind of like an interrogation but not as bad. (Not that I've been interrogated by the police or anything).

After the test, I was given a prescription card and then I was free to look around and try on frames that took my fancy. On this very first visit, I was left waiting for about forty five minutes to look at their range of designer and own brand frames before someone was ready to serve me but when they do get round to it, the staff are happy to help pick frames and make recommendations. On latter occasions, I probably only waited five to ten minutes for someone to help me choose and finalise the sale.

The waiting time before and after the eye test varies depending on how busy the store is but if you cannot go on a weekday when it is more likely to be empty, then try and go early. It can be busy to the point where there aren't any seats left in the waiting area.

SELECTION

Among their selection, they have full frames, half frame, rimless, designer, Spec Savers own brand, children's, teens, women's, men's, and unisex. Among those, there are frames with different sized arms and colours as well as the option of going for contact lenses. The selection of frames may vary from branch to branch as branches seem to vary in size but the Croydon one, although had quite a lot of frames on display, didn't have that many I liked so I found it quite difficult to make my selection but a member of staff did help me choose and make suggestions.

I have noticed that they change the designer brands that they stock once in a while. This was a bit annoying for me since one of my designer frames broke and I couldn't get another one. They don't change the designer brands that often but I would prefer that they had a bigger selection of brands rather than just big selections of certain brands because if you don't like the style of a certain brand, I find you usually don't like most of them.

Once a selection is made, the member of staff measured my head, asked me to put on the frames and marked the position of my eyes on the lenses when wearing the glasses. He then asked me what lens options I wanted and noted those down.

COST

The worst part of the visit is always at the very end when I have to pay for the eye test and spectacles. The final total on the bill depends on what frames you choose, what lens options you choose and whether you are entitled to discounts or not (e.g. NHS, benefits, etc). I usually spend in around £150 because I usually go for at least a pair of designer glasses and add lens coatings as well as go for a second pair from the Spec Savers own range. Designer glasses usually cost around £169. The Spec Savers own brand ranges of frames are under £100 but I find that the really cheap frames (starting from £25) are thick framed and ugly, so I usually go for the £85 to £99 frames. The eye test costs £20 (Used to be £18) but there are discount coupons floating about if they don't send them to you first.

SPECIAL DEALS

They often have some sort of special deal going on, with best one being their Buy One Get One Free (BOGOF) deal. Buy one pair of specs and get another free, which I find to be excellent, as you can choose one pair and then have another pair free (only pairs that cost up to £85) as a spare in case something happens to your main pair. Their specials change sometimes though and there was only a 25% discount on my most recent visit on all frames and lens options. I bought a pair of designer frames for £169 and a Spec Savers pair for £85 with the same 25% discount on the lens options. I did some math and unfortunately, it would have been around £30 cheaper with their BOGOF offer. However, it is a good deal if you only wanted one pair of glasses.

LENS OPTIONS

I always go for the UltraTough (£12) and UltraClear (£30) coatings as added options to make them less prone to scratching and to prevent glare, unless it's already included with certain lenses.

There are some cool options such as reactive lenses that change colour when it's hit with UV rays so it darkens when you're outside and goes back to normal when you're inside (£49). Course, there's also various tinted options as well as some more expensive options such as polarising lenses (£60), which block UV rays and are ideal for driving.

COLLECTING YOUR GLASSES

Unfortunately, the usual thing to do is to come back in a few days or a week to two weeks when your glasses are ready because they seem to need to order the lenses to make the glasses. Waiting time varies depending on what frames you choose and what type of lenses you require but every time I've bought glasses from them, they were able to give me a date for collection and they have always been ready when I go to pick them up. Although, before leaving with my new glasses, I'm usually sat down with a staff member to make sure the glasses fit and are comfortable otherwise, they are adjusted for me. Any further adjustments required can be done for free if I just pop in, so I'm told.

VERDICT

Although they can get busy, you can choose to go at less busy periods. The opticians seem to know what they're doing. They treat you well and are able to answer questions regarding their procedures and about eye health in general (some do seem quite young though). They are helpful and help you pick frames and all seemed to be a helpful bunch (in all branches I've visited at least). The total cost is quite high but with their special deals, you end up spending less than other opticians or you come out with more, especially when they have their BOGOF deal. I'm happy to return to Spec Savers so can highly recommend them.

Thanks for reading!