How It Works
Our frames are priced at their normal retail price - standard lenses are included rather than being extra. This means that you save at least £60 per pair compared to 'normal' opticians. You can choose extras, such as lens coatings or different lens materials, as well.
Selecting the lenses can be a bit confusing, so if you find it a bit daunting, it may well be best to go through through options over the phone.
Once you've chosen the frames that take your fancy, we need to know your prescription details so that we can provide you with the correct lenses. To do so, we need you to register with the site so that we can assign your prescription to you. Once registered, your prescription and personal details will be stored for easier re-ordering.
You'll need to have had your eyes tested within the last two years for us to supply your prescription. If you don't have your prescription to hand, you can ask your optician for it as it's a legal requirement for the optician to supply you with a copy once your eyes have been tested. Some opticians aren't too happy if they're asked for the prescription as they know it's likely that it wil be used to buy glasses elsewhere. If you find yourself up against a stroppy one and don't feel comfortable asking for it, we'll call them on your behalf. But happily, the vast majority of opticians will supply you with the prescription without any hassle whatsoever.
Whilst you're asking for the prescription, you should also ask for your PD (interPupillary Distance, which is the distance between the eyes. This is so that we know where to set the lenses in the frames.
We've made it relatively simple to transfer the information via the forms on the prescription page, but if you find it confusing, please feel free to call us on 020 7813 1234.
Each order is processed by a dispensing optician (see Fig 1), so if, during the selection process, an inappropriate lens or frame is chosen for the prescription, we will either change the lens type to a more appropriate type or contact you to discuss options.
Fig 1. Four opticians. (Adam, Juliet, Malika and Cat a while ago).
Understanding Your Prescription
A spectacle prescription is made up of a number of elements. For each eye, there is a value for the SPH, CYL and AXIS.
The SPH value is the spherical component of your prescription: a minus sign (-) indicates shortsightedness; a plus sign (+) longsightedness. The values are in 0.25 steps. There may be a 'DS' after this value. Some opticians may omit the decimal point so that -2.75 may be written as -275.
The CYL value refers to the degree of astigmatism. It is also a figure in 0.25 steps and has a minus or plus sign attached. Please note that most prescriptions have the CYL value as minus, regardless of the SPH value. This doesn't necessarily mean that you're shortsighted. There may be a 'DC' after this value.
The AXIS is the direction of the CYL value (the astigmatism) and is a value betwen 0 and 180 (although 0 and 180 are the same thing, both indicating horizontal).
There is only an AXIS value if there is a cylindrical component to your prescription. In other words, if the prescription has no CYL value, there is also no AXIS value.
There may also be an ADD value if, like me, you're over 45 or so. This is a value between 0.50 and 4.00 and is always plus (+).
If there's no ADD, either: good for you, you're (relatively) young; or, the ADD has been incorporated into the general prescription and is most likely written on a part of the prescription which indicates that the glasses are for closework only. (If this all sounds complicated, please don't worry - we can easily contact either you or your optician to ensure that no mistakes are made).
Example 1:
The right eye has the following values: SPH = -2.25; CYL = -0.75 and the AXIS is 45.
The left eye has no astigmatism. You would enter: SPH = -3.50 and the CYL is 0.00. You can leave the AXIS blank.
Example 2:
The right eye has the following values: SPH = +0.50; CYL = -1.50 and the AXIS is 180. Note the totally legitimate use of plus and minus.
The left eye has a SPH value of plano, which is another way of saying 'zero' so you'd enter SPH = 0.00. You may also see the infinity symbol in the SPH box - this also indicates zero. The CYL value is -2.25DC and the AXIS is 10.
Example 3:
The right eye has the following values: SPH = +0.50; CYL = -1.50 and the AXIS is 180. (Same as Example 2).
The left eye has a SPH value of plano and a CYL value of plano. (Again, completely possible).
The ADD is +2.25.
Example 4:
This is a prescription written by an optician that has awful handwriting (me, actually).
Here it is a bit clearer:
R: +0.25DS/-1.50DC x 35
L: +1.75DS/-2.00DC x 180
Add +2.00
Note the lazy omission of the decimal points on the SPH values and the confusing inclusion of the decimal point in the 2.00. Also the 'DS' and 'DC' have been excluded. Nevertheless, this prescription makes perfect sense and is an example of the different ways that they can be written.
PRISM:
If you have values written in the prism box on your prescription, please enter whatever is written into the 'additional info' form. We may well have to contact you for written verification of the prescription.
If you're in any doubt, please feel free to call us on 020 7813 1234.
