Ask Phil

"Hi, I'm Phil. I've been an optician for over 35 years and have personally helped thousands of people choose the right lenses for their glasses. Here's my honest advice..."

Honest Answers from an Optician with 35+ Years' Experience

Welcome to Ask Phil.

I'm Phil, and I've been an optician for over 35 years. During that time I've fitted and dispensed thousands of pairs of glasses and, for nearly 20 years, I've specialised in helping people replace the lenses in their own frames through Reglaze Glasses Direct.

Customers ask me the same questions every day, so I thought I'd answer some of the most common ones here.

These aren't marketing answers.

They're simply my honest opinions based on over three decades in optics.

Sometimes I'll recommend our premium lenses.

Sometimes I'll recommend our cheapest ones.

If I think you can save your money, I'll tell you.

If I think something is genuinely worth paying extra for, I'll explain why.

After all, if these were my own glasses, that's exactly how I'd choose.

Q: Is it better to reglaze my glasses online or use a high street optician?

A: It depends on what you need.

If you need an eye examination or have concerns about your eye health, your local optician is always the right place to start.

However, if you already have a valid prescription and simply want new lenses fitted into your existing frames, an online reglazing service is often the quicker, easier and more cost-effective option.

With a typical high street service, you'll usually need to travel to the practice, find parking, attend an appointment, choose your lenses, place your order, then return several days later to collect your glasses.

With Reglaze Glasses Direct, you simply order online, choose your lenses (with expert advice available if you need it), send your glasses to us using the packaging or label we provide, and we'll professionally fit your new prescription lenses before returning them securely to your doorstep.

Many of our customers are also pleasantly surprised by the savings. Depending on the lenses you choose, replacing the lenses in your existing frames can cost significantly less than buying new glasses.

We've put together a detailed comparison showing the differences between using a high street optician and an online reglazing specialist. Read our High Street vs Online Glasses Reglazing guide here.

 

Q: Do I have to buy my glasses where I have my eye test?

A: No. In the UK, you're free to choose where you buy your glasses or have your lenses replaced.

After your eye examination, your optician will provide you with a copy of your prescription (provided there are no clinical reasons to withhold it). Once you have a valid prescription, the decision about where to purchase your glasses or replacement lenses is entirely yours.

Many people choose the convenience of ordering online because it allows them to compare their options, consider different lens types and make a decision in their own time.

If you already have frames you love, an online reglazing service can be an excellent alternative to buying a completely new pair of glasses. You can choose the lenses that best suit your needs, and if you'd like advice, our experienced optician is always happy to help.

The important thing is that you make the choice that's right for you—not because you feel rushed, but because you've had the opportunity to consider all of your options.

Read our guide: Why More People Are Choosing Online Reglazing Over The Traditional High Street Experience

 

Single Vision Lenses

Q. I only need a simple pair of reading glasses. Do I really need expensive lenses?

A. No, not at all.

If all you need is a comfortable pair of readers, our standard £20 lenses will do the job perfectly well.

If you're careful with your glasses, I'd happily leave it there.

If you're a little harder on them, I'd probably add the anti-scratch coating. It won't make them scratch-proof, but it will help them stay looking better for longer.

Q. What's the one upgrade you'd nearly always recommend?

A. Anti-reflection coating.

If you wear your glasses every day, particularly for driving or working, I'd always recommend anti-reflection coating.

The lenses look better, perform better and reduce distracting reflections, especially at night.

It's probably the best value upgrade we offer.

Q. Is the Ultra-Clean coating really worth it?

A. Definitely.

It might sound like a gimmick, but it isn't.

The lenses genuinely stay cleaner for longer and are much easier to wipe clean.

If you've ever found yourself constantly polishing your glasses, you'll appreciate the difference.

Q. You sell several coatings. Which one do you actually wear?

A. Ultima+, every time.

It's on every pair of my everyday clear glasses.

For me it offers the best all-round combination of anti-reflection, UV protection, easy-clean properties and subtle blue-light filtering.

Is it essential?

No.

Is it worth it?

Absolutely.

Computer Glasses

Q. I spend all day looking at a computer screen. Should I choose Blue-V lenses?

A. I'd certainly consider them.

Many customers who spend long hours in front of screens tell us they find Blue-V lenses more comfortable throughout the day.

The only thing to bear in mind is that the coating produces a noticeable blue or purple reflection when viewed from the front. Some people like that look, while others prefer something more discreet, particularly if they're regularly on video calls.

If appearance is important to you, I'd probably recommend Ultima+ instead. It gives you an excellent all-round coating with much less noticeable reflection.

Sunglasses & Tinted Lenses

Q. Polarised or standard tinted lenses?

A. Polarised every time... if your budget allows.

Polarised lenses reduce glare from roads, water and other reflective surfaces, making them noticeably more comfortable in bright conditions.

If glare isn't a particular problem for you, standard tinted lenses will still provide excellent UV protection and cost a little less.

Q. Should I have anti-reflection coating on my sunglasses?

A. Absolutely.

Most people don't realise that anti-reflection coating is applied to the back surface of the lenses.

It prevents light reflecting back into your eyes, making sunglasses much more comfortable to wear.

For me, it's well worth having.

Q. Are mirror coatings worth paying extra for?

A. If you like the look, yes.

Mirror coatings certainly look fantastic and give sunglasses a more modern appearance.

They can reduce a tiny amount of additional light, but the biggest benefit is cosmetic rather than optical.

If you like the style, I'd definitely consider them.

Transitions® Lenses

Q. Should I buy standard Transitions or XTRActive?

A. It depends where you'll wear them.

Standard Transitions are excellent if most of your time is spent outdoors and indoors.

However, they won't noticeably darken inside a car because modern windscreens block much of the UV light they rely on.

If you want your lenses to darken while driving, I'd choose XTRActive every time.

Q. Are the cheaper unbranded reaction lenses worth considering?

A. Yes, for many people they are.

They'll still darken outdoors and provide full UV protection.

The main difference is that branded Transitions generally react faster when changing from light to dark and back again.

If that doesn't particularly bother you, the unbranded versions represent excellent value.

Lens Thickness

Q. Do I need thinner lenses?

A. Not always.

Thinner lenses don't normally improve how you see.

Their main advantages are cosmetic appearance and reduced weight.

As a rough guide, I'd usually start thinking about thinner lenses from around ±2.00, super-thin around ±4.00, and ultra-thin for stronger prescriptions.

Q. Polycarbonate or Trivex?

A. If optical quality is my priority, I'd choose Trivex.

Polycarbonate is an excellent material where maximum impact resistance is required, which is why it's widely used for safety glasses, sports eyewear and children's spectacles.

For my own glasses, though, I'd choose Trivex.

It combines excellent impact resistance with outstanding optical clarity and is particularly well suited to rimless glasses.

In fact, that's exactly what I wear myself.

Bifocals & Varifocals

Q. Do you wear bifocals?

A. No, I never have.

I've always preferred varifocals.

That said, we still supply plenty of bifocals because many people absolutely love them.

If you've worn them for years and get on well with them, there's no reason to change.

Q. I'm buying varifocals for the first time. Which would you recommend?

A. Premium Elite.

First-time wearers generally find Premium Elite lenses easier to adapt to than more basic designs.

Yes, they're more expensive, but I genuinely think they're worth it if you're making the switch to varifocals for the first time.

Q. Which varifocals do you wear?

A. Elite HD for everyday use.

They're my preferred choice because they provide wider, more comfortable fields of vision.

For my polarised sunglasses, I actually drop down to Premium Elite because I don't wear them as often, so I don't personally feel the extra cost of Elite HD is justified.

Q. What glasses do you wear at work?

A. Occupational lenses.

They're one of the most underrated lenses we sell.

They give me a wide field of view for computer work while still allowing me to read comfortably.

If you spend all day at a desk, I'd recommend them without hesitation.

Eye Tests

Q. Where should I have my eyes tested?

A. Find an optometrist you trust—and stick with them.

Over the years I've had my own eyes tested by many different professionals.

Like any profession, styles and approaches vary.

If you find someone who listens, explains things clearly and takes the time to understand your needs, you're onto a winner.

Whenever possible, ask to see the same optometrist each time.

Q. Why do prescriptions sometimes seem to change?

A. Because eyes change—and eye tests involve judgement as well as science.

One of the biggest challenges we've encountered over nearly 20 years of reglazing glasses online is dealing with prescription changes.

Sometimes your eyes genuinely change.

Sometimes two eye tests carried out close together produce slightly different results.

If your new glasses don't feel quite right, don't struggle with them. Go back to your optometrist and discuss it. A good practitioner will always want to make sure you're seeing as well as possible.

My Personal Choice

Q. If you could only own one pair of glasses, what would they be?

A. That's the hardest question on this page!

If I could only have one pair to cope with everything life throws at me, I'd choose:

• Transitions® XTRActive Polarised Elite HD varifocal lenses
• Ultima+ coating
• Trivex material (where suitable for the prescription)

Why?

Because they cover almost every situation.

They darken outdoors.

They activate while driving.

The polarising layer dramatically reduces glare.

Elite HD gives me excellent all-round vision.

Ultima+ keeps the lenses cleaner and provides outstanding all-round performance.

Would they be the cheapest option?

Not even close.

Would they be the pair I'd happily spend my own money on?

Absolutely.

Still Not Sure?

If you've read this page and you're still unsure which lenses are right for you, please get in touch.

I'd much rather spend a few minutes helping you choose the right lenses than have you spend money on something you don't really need.

That's the advice I'd give my own family, and it's exactly the advice I'll always give you.

Phil Batham
Optician
Reglaze Glasses Direct