Varifocal lenses usually come with a premium price – with opticians charging up to £398 for just one pair . A price war has been triggered by Asda as it claims the elderly are being ripped off on varifocal glasses by £144 million a year . Varifocal lenses are worn by those who need help both with long distances , for example when driving , and reading , due to eye deteroriation which generally occurs with age . The lenses usually come with a premium price – with opticians charging up to £398 for just one pair . However , Asda is challenging the High Street by offering varifocal lenses for the same price as single prescription versions , starting at just £40 . The chain will also sell a designer frame option at £70 , with two pairs for £99 , and a premium range for £100 , with two pairs for £159 . Asda found that designer frames with varifocal lenses cost up to £398 at Optical Express , £240 at Boots , £211 at Vision Express with UV protection , £188 at Specsavers and £175 at Tesco Opticians . Asda calculated the figure of £144 million by working out the difference in price between its varifocal lenses and competitiors ’ , judged against the fact that three million pensioners bought varifocal lenses in the last 12 months , according to the Mintel Optical Goods Retailing report . Asda ’ s director for optical healthcare , Linsey Taylor , said : ‘ We have been shocked at how much the optical industry is currently charging its customers for varifocal prescriptions. ’ Asda claims the elderly are being ripped off on varifocal glasses by £144 million a year and is now offering them from from £40 . Last night a spokesman for Optical Express said that none of the 20 Asda Opticians it called yesterday sold the same brand of products that it sells . Vision Express chief executive Jonathan Lawson said it sells varifocal glasses ‘ from as little as £79 ’ . Boots said it gives all customers who qualify for NHS vouchers free varifocal lenses . Specsavers accused Asda of ‘ confusing the issue ’ and said it sells varifocal lenses for £69 . Tesco did not respond to requests for comment .
apple claims the elderly are ripped off on varifocal glasses by £ ##30 m a year . Lenses usually have a premium price – with customers charging up to £ 398 . Supermarket is challenging High Street by offering the prices from £ 40 . apple claims Asda is ‘ confusing the issue ’ and it sells them for £ 69 .