he used to do it in china.
other than appt in SNEC, are there good optometrist service and spec shop, if got myopia and presbyopia? is varifocal lens a complicated thing to assess (prescription) and do by commericial shop?
personal belief, it really depends on how you interact. from experience, even the "lousy" ones have ther fans.
like how I buy my electronics.
not sure? visit chain where I'm assured I won't pay above retail, and complains if any would definitely be handled well?
varifocal lenses are commonly fitted in optical shops. but as mentioned earlier. if you have specifications for the lenses and you're not a "slap the glasses on and it's ok to walk off" type of person, you need to let your optometrist/optician know.
the more needs you have the more important.
basic eyecare usually turns out something like
eyetest--->figures out your power, myopia/hyperopia/astigmatism, and presbyopia for late 30s onwards
figure out which lens and frame goes together
what you need for your lenses.
generally people usually think"I want to see"
and that's it.
others maybe want wider viewing angles for varifocals
thinner lenses, curved lenses for sunglasses, transitions
harder to scratch lenses
and sometimes those things don't work together, or can't be done with the frame.
and if you're a -8.00 onwards, rimless or rimlon(half frames), don't look that good with the lenses expose without a high index lens , so if you're not willing to go for that you can't take rimless/rimlon or you're going to be pissed when you see the glasses.