Re-using spectacle frames

We run an independent opticians in a small town amidst the big optical chains. I am always happy to reglaze frames for just the price of the lenses which are in the region of £55 for single vision, £89 for bifocals and average £120 for varifocals depending on the prescription in each case and whether you want extras to the lenses. All our lenses are high grade, manufactured by excellent optical lens companies and not mass produced. Give your independent opticians a chance. We are struggling to survive against the big boys with their 'special offers' which turn out not to be so special! The staff are usually very knowledgeable and experienced too and happy to help.

I don't think opticians would refuse to do it. They just charge too much proportionately.

I have also had this done with inline glasses retailers with no problem at all.

If my optician refused to re-use my frames, I'd go elsewhere with my prescription. You can't be forced to buy new frames every time your prescription changes.

I would expect any optician to do it. I have worn glasses for over 50 years and it has always been part of the normal service of an optician.

In the past my prescription has needed changing so frequently that I would have been bankrupt if I had to get new frames every time new lenses were needed.

Thanks for all the replies. I suppose I need to ring round the chains and see if they do it and how much it would cost. I do hate having to chuck out perfectly good frames which cost a lot, which are still good and which I like. I am happy to pass on any others to the re-cycle boxes in opticians.

I have replacement lenses in existing glasses frames more often than not, and always have done. I usually only get new frames when the ones I already have break.

Good idea Printmiss. I usually keep the old pair for while, just incase something goes wrong. But will definitely look for recycle boxes. x

A couple of years ago I went to Specsavers and wanted to keep my old frames but it was more expensive than buying new ones.

Our local Asda has recently opened an Optician service and I have been very pleased with the service. It was efficient and I didn't feel 'ripped off'. (No, I do not have shares in Asda!). The offer made it good to buy two pairs so I bought one that goes dark in bright light and a normal pair.

On the other hand why not put your old specs in the box provided, I think most opticians have them. These are used for people abroad, and are I believe appreciated. In our opticians, the specs are collected by the local Lions Club, but I think other organisations do it too.

Specsavers do it but as said it costs more.Defies logic doesn't it? I just thought I was being "green".

I usually pay about £180 for lenses, frames around £200. Boots were going to charge about £280 to fit new lenses.

I might try a different optician. I like my present frames.

petallus, lenses are very expensive, especially if they are complex lenses (e.g. varifocals). Is that the main expense of your £200+ glasses? My new glasses are also going to cost a lot but it is the lenses that are bumping up the price even though I'm re-using some old frames. The framing cost is less than a seventh of the total.

There may be costs with it J52. I didnt go for the option either.

Definitely can be done.

Interesting, I was told at my local Boots optician that they charged a £50 handling fee, then the lenses, money for something else ( forgotten what! ).
In the end it was more money than choosing new frames that had an offer on them. x

Boots do it. But I buy cheapish frames, so they are not really up to handling another two years.

I had imagined I would just have to pay for the lenses and maybe a bit more for the fitting. However, it seems the lenses are cheaper if you are buying frames as well so... Oh well, you see what I mean.

The brain's going. Bedtime!

I don't understand why it should be so expensive, petallus. I've had new prescription lenses fitted in my old frames by Specsavers and they don't turn a hair. (What a strange expression that is, when you think about it!)

"Should have gone to . . . " will do it!

I considered doing this recently but it would be so expensive (£200 and odd) that I might as well have new frames.

Definitely Gagagran
The high street chain I go to do this, no problems so far.

The independent optician I go to has always been happy to do this, Gagagran. It's certainly worth asking. I used to have a spare pair of glasses I could use while the others went off to be changed but the lenses come to the shop now and they change them while I wait.

I am having new lenses put into some old frames at the moment, gaga. I've had it done before too.

Yes, it's done often, always at your own risk though, as the frame may occasionally break during glazing. This is more common with plastic frames as they can become brittle through time.

I'm sure most opticians would do it for you. You may find that advertised offers probably wouldn't apply to re glazing your own frame.