Our expert opticians recommend the following when you're deciding where to buy your specs and figuring out what you can afford: NatWest, RBS and Ulster Bank to close at least 172 branches in 2023/24 – here's the full list, plus alternatives You can find pairs of reading glasses for men and women - as well as unisex options - from B&M for the best possible price.

Martin Lewis: Do you have a Power of Attorney? It’s crucial protection – not just for the elderly – and more important than a will As a rule of thumb, if your prescription is stronger than +/- 3 but less than +/- 5, consider thinner lenses (around 1.67 index). If your prescription is stronger than +/- 5, you may want to go even thinner (around 1.74 index). Getting the right frames

The PD helps position your pupils accurately in the centre of the lenses. It’s crucial for higher prescriptions and varifocals to have your exact PD, because a measurement more than a couple of millimetres out could make the glasses unusable. About 60% of our respondents bought their glasses at the same place they had their eyes tested, which makes sense in terms of getting personalised advice from someone familiar with your prescription. But you can save money by shopping around, including online (see the best brands below). Buying glasses - expert tips

Be upfront about your budget Most opticians make a loss on your eye test, so it’s likely they’ll want to try to keep your custom – including finding you affordable glasses. Best practice is for stores to request an exact PD from the customer – which unfortunately might not always be included on your prescription. But some stores have ways you can do this at home. Others simply let you use an average measurement, which may result in poorly fitted glasses. Any terms and conditions that say you must cover the cost of returning an item don't apply where the goods being returned are faulty. If you’ve got a high prescription you should opt for high index (thinner) lenses when buying online as they’re more likely to work with a range of frames. It’s not necessarily easy when shopping online to know which frames will suit your prescription (as above), or fit properly.Opticians aren't required to put all the measurements needed to dispense glasses on your prescription, as some are taken when your glasses are dispensed rather than when your eyes are tested. This means that by buying online you may be missing details such as your PD (pupillary distance). Precise fitting measurements – such as the pupillary distance (PD) and the vertical pupil position - are crucial to how well any lens will perform. For reasons of hygiene and safety, personal grooming products, cosmetics or items of intimate clothing cannot be returned. If goods you buy are faulty and don’t do what they're supposed to, or don’t match the description given, you have the same rights under the Consumer Rights Act as you have when buying face-to-face.

More caution is needed if you have a complex prescription (for example, higher-strength lenses or varifocals), where getting really specific measurements to make sure the frames fit and lenses are positioned correctly in front of your eyes is of paramount importance. of our survey respondents who bought glasses online bought single-vision lenses, rather than varifocals. In the past, we’ve found that if you’ve got a relatively simple prescription, you shouldn’t run into too much trouble buying online. The ideal varifocal lens design provides sharp vision in the far distance, middle and close up for reading, is comfortable to swap between each zone, is easy to get used to and has few distortions at the edges.

Table Notes: Based on a survey of 379 people in June 2022. Customer score based on satisfaction with the store on last visit and likelihood of recommending to a friend. Do you have a Power of Attorney? MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis explains how this crucial protection works, why it's more important than a will, and how to get one in the latest episode of ITV's The Martin Lewis Money Show Live.