With numerous brands and designers to choose from, it’s no secret that a new pair of prescription glasses or sunglasses can often cost a small fortune.
With that in mind, you might be wondering how you can grab a new pair of glasses without breaking the bank in the process. To save you some cash without having to compromise on quality, we thought we’d put together a handy guide on how you can get your new glasses for less.
It is thought that due to our collective obsession with screens and tech, around half the world will need to wear glasses by the year 2050. Of course, many of us need to use screens daily as part of our jobs, so giving up screens or dramatically reducing screen time isn’t always an option. So, whether you’re a seasoned glasses-wearer or perhaps you need your very first pair and don’t quite know where to start, here are some of our top tips on how to score some great savings…
Check with your employer
Firstly, it is well worth checking with your employer whether they can help you to cover the cost of your new pair of glasses. Many employers will also cover a free eye test. If you’re self-employed and you need to wear glasses only during your time at work, specifically for monitor or screen work, you may be able to claim for glasses or contact lenses on your annual Self-Assessment.
Head to the high street
Whilst there are some definite bargains to be found online, there’s always something to be said for going into an optician and trying some frames on before you buy. With that in mind, we thought we’d run through 3 of the most popular opticians on the British high street and how you can save on your next pair of glasses at Boots, Specsavers, or Vision Express.
Boots
A stalwart of the high street, Boots opticians have been providing eye tests, glasses, and contact lenses for men, women, and kids since 1983. As well as a wide range of brands and designers including Gucci, Ray-Ban, and Ralph Lauren. If you’d prefer to not splash too much cash, Boots also sell their own branded range of glasses and sunglasses. Please note that while you can browse numerous pairs of Boots-branded and designer glasses online, you will need to head to your local Boots Opticians to make a purchase.
Currently, Boots have some exciting offers across selected glasses: firstly, buy one pair of selected glasses or prescription sunglasses and you’ll get the additional pair for half price.
Secondly, if you can’t decide on your next pair of glasses, Boots have an offer across their own range of glasses. You can choose 2 pairs from the Boots £40 range, and you’ll pay just £60 for them both. If you only need the 1 pair of glasses, the Boots range starts from just £40. Top tip: remember to use your Boots Advantage Card to earn points when paying for your new glasses!
If you’d prefer to pay for your new pair of glasses in instalments, Boots also offers Klarna as a payment method in over 400 of their stores. Simply find the glasses or sunglasses you love, head to the till, and ask to pay in 3 instalments with Klarna. You’ll pay your first instalment there and then, and the 2 further instalments 30 and 60 days later. For all the information you could need on Klarna at Boots, head to the Boots Opticians website.
Boots also offers their Complete Satisfaction Guarantee on your new glasses purchase. You’ll get 30-day returns, a 12-month warranty on glasses and sunglasses, and lifetime glasses care. In addition to this, you can opt to pay £15 a year for glasses cover from Boots.
Specsavers
Specsavers have been a family-run business for over 35 years. With over 2000 stores all over the world, Specsavers are here to provide the very best value optometry, audiology, and other healthcare services for their customers.
If you can’t live without designer glasses, Specsavers currently have a 2 for 1 deal across selected designer glasses. Simply choose 2 designer pairs of glasses from the same range and your second pair will be free. New styles are added every 3 months, so there’s sure to be the perfect pair (or 2!) for you.
If you’re looking to spend under £70, Specsavers also have a 2 for 1 offer across their range of £69 glasses. All of Specsavers’ glasses come with single-vision lenses and a scratch-resistant treatment as standard. Other lenses and any extra options will incur an extra charge.
Specsavers are also here to offer fashionable frames to suit all budgets, with complete glasses starting from just £19 a pair. You’ll find these frames, here.
Vision Express
With a large selection of exclusive designer brands, Vision Express has been providing glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses for over 30 years. Their number one goal has always stayed the same: to provide customers with excellent service.
To save on your next 2 pairs of glasses from Vision Express, use the discount code 2NDPAIR which will give you 50% off your second pair. Please note that this excludes £15 sunglasses and £25 glasses. You can shop the offer, here.
Vision Express are also currently offering up to 50% off selected glasses and sunglasses from a range of exciting designers including Nike, Calvin Klein, and Kate Spade. You can shop this offer, here.
Student discount, senior discount, NHS optical vouchers
Boots offers a 10% student discount on your first pair of glasses, prescription sunglasses, or contact lenses. You’ll also get every additional pair of glasses or prescription sunglasses at half price. To claim your student discount, you’ll need to present a valid NUS card or official student discount at the checkout. For all the information you need on using your student discount at Boots, head to their website.
If you’ve got little ones who need glasses: good news! Boots offer a £50 discount across their kids’ glasses. This applies to under 19-year-olds who are in full-time education.
You may also be entitled to an NHS optical voucher if you meet certain qualifying criteria. This voucher enables you or your child to receive a free eye test plus help with the cost of your glasses or contact lenses. You can find all the information on using NHS optical vouchers at Boots here.
If you’re over 60, you can score some great savings across glasses and prescription sunglasses at Boots Opticians. You’ll save 20% on your first pair of glasses or prescription sunglasses and you’ll also get every additional pair of glasses or prescription sunglasses at half price. Once you’re over 60, you can also get free eye tests courtesy of the NHS. Top tip: if you’re a Boots Advantage Card Holder, join Boots’ Over 60s Rewards to access even more exciting benefits and offers!
Specsavers currently offers students a 25% discount off single vision lenses designer glasses from their £129 range. This means that you’ll pay £96.75 for your new glasses from designers and brands such as Marc Jacobs, Viktor & Rolf, and Tommy Hilfiger. You’ll find all the information as well as terms and conditions here.
Specsavers also accept NHS optical vouchers, as well as offering a discount for over 60s. You can choose your new pair of glasses from their £69 range or above and you’ll get 20% off. This discount is also included on extras such as treatments to protect your lenses or offer sun protection.
Lastly, Vision Express offers a great student discount in the form of 20% off across glasses, contact lenses and prescription sunglasses. This offer is available online, too! Find all the information on Vision Express’ student discount, here.
Vision Express also offers a 20% keyworker discount. Please note that this is available online only, and you’ll also need to verify your keyworker status via the Vision Express website.
Buy cheaper online
If you aren’t particularly concerned about buying your frames directly from the opticians, did you know that if you buy your new glasses online you can often save up to 80% off the recommended retail price? All you need to buy your glasses online is your current prescription from your opticians. Popular online retailers for glasses include Glasses Direct, SmartBuyGlasses, and GlassesHut. Check out our VoucherCodes opticians pages here for the latest offers, discount codes and deals.
Glasses Direct offers a free home trial with up to 4 pairs of glasses for you to try on at home. You’ll also get free 120 day returns alongside professional service and care. Offers currently available at Glasses Direct include 2 for 1 on essential frames from £49, 2 for 1 on designer frames from £69, and iconic designer frames starting at just £55. If you’re in need of a new pair of sunglasses this summer, you can also grab 2 selected pairs of prescription sunglasses for £39 if you use the code 2SUN. You can find more special offers from Glasses Direct here.
SmartBuyGlasses also offers free delivery and returns on orders as well as free basic lenses on prescription eyeglasses. You can try on over 8000 frames virtually, and affordable frames start from under £10. SmartBuyGlasses also stocks designer brands including Ray-Ban, Gucci, Tom Ford Eyewear, and Chloe. You can find the latest promo codes for SmartBuyGlasses via our VoucherCodes page and on the SmartBuyGlasses website.
Lastly, GlassesHut offers free delivery on orders over £35, free prescription lenses, free scratch resistant coating, free protective case and lens cloth as well as 100% no quibble 60-day returns. You can also check out our latest discount codes and deals for GlassesHut.
We hope these tips help you to find your new pair of prescription glasses (or sunglasses) for a great price!
