Vocal Voices

We're in shock here.

Went to Tavira, popped into the opticians, handed over my prescription and asked for a price.

Now, I know glasses are expensive here in Portugal - but I almost fell off my chair.

377 euros -

for each lens

And that was the cheapest one

We went to two others and one was almost 1000 euros - and that was without the frame

So, next week, I am collecting my new glasses, which will have grey photochromic bifocal lenses, anti-static, anti-sctrach and anti-glare with a 20 euro frame

And we got almost 200 euros as discount, by using the Continente card (which is like a tesco clubcard)

And I've gone for a black frame - and I've always had metal frames before, but as the young lady explained, the actual lenses will be too thick ( ) for a metal one. But I did manage to get a complete frame, as opposed to a half one.

The lenses themselves will be made exactly for me, as opposed to the generic ones, so I'll be able to see out of the corner of my eye, instead of turning my head. That only cost 17 euros extra, so well worth it.

Now going for a lie-down

Grumpy is already on the beer

Blimey Ton!
Make sure you don't drop and break them

holy moly that is a lot of money - make sure they are covered on your household insurance for accidental damage, loss and / or theft.

That's exactly what I'll be doing later Meriad, e-mailing our insurance man.

And I meant varifocal, not bi - still in shock

Blimey they charge like wounded rhino Glad you got some discount, and yes insurance is definitely a good idea Can you insure them for falling on them, stepping on them etc..................???

flippin heck Ton, that's some price but you can't cut corners where your sight is concerned just get them insured pronto.

goodness me thats a shock
cant you go online and get glasses
i never have but my DIL has in the past
might have been cheaper to get a flight to uk
and gone to specsavers

I thought of that Saundra, but by the time I get to Windsor or Bristol, hire a car, etc etc for a few days, it would cost as much

The frames I would have loved were 120 euros, but settled for the 20 euro pair instead

Ton you must have a fairly strong prescription as it sounds like you are having them made thinner? Coupled with the coatings and the transitions, it's not surprising how much you are paying really.....although I don't know what the exchange rate is from pounds to euros.

I like to think you are getting four pairs of specs all in one - as transitions they are sunglasses, near and distance, (so like having two pairs) and of course clear they are also near and distance, hence the four pairs. IYKWIM. If you think of it like that it doesn't sound too bad

Thanks Gal, that helps a bit

Yes, my left eye is now officially rubbish, it was only working on about 50% due to the lump putting pressure on it, but that's now a bit better. Won't improve though.

This probably makes sense to you - just means I'm very short-sighted, with astigmatism in both eyes

-1.76 - 0.76 - 180
+0.25 - 0.75 - 180

-4-50 - 1.25 - 75
-2.50 - 1.25 - 75

oh and the exchange rate today is about 1.16 euros to the pound