Eyewear
Discover over 1000 frames glazed on-site, with complete single vision pairs from just £30.
INDEPENDENT OPTICIANS IN DURHAM
Established in 2004 Costspex Opticians Durham is a family-owned opticians situated in Durham. Our aim is to create a warm, welcoming and relaxed environment to put our patients at ease, whilst placing a strong emphasis on personal service. In a crowded opticians’ market dominated by larger chains, ours is a practice fully committed to providing clients with a reassuring, professional and individualised service.
EYE TESTS IN DURHAM
To make sure that your eye test meets the most exacting, thorough and accurate standards, Costspex have a range of diagnostic equipment at their disposal. For example, we use an Icare tonometer, which is perfect for those patients who do not like the puff of air technique for taking pressures. Naturally, the equipment we use is always applied in conjunction with human expertise and personal attention. Our experienced and highly qualified opticians will discuss your results and address your concerns before arriving at your final prescription.
We also carry out NHS eye tests for those who qualify, and we accept NHS optical vouchers too. You can check the NHS criteria to find out whether you are eligible before your appointment. Alternatively, if your prescription is current and in date, you are welcome to bring a copy straight in and take advantage of our prices right away. If your eye test is due, give us a call to arrange an appointment today and our team will be happy to help.
TINTED LENSES AND MORE
We offer tinting on any complete pair of glasses purchased from us for just £10 extra, turning your everyday eyewear into prescription sunglasses ideal for a glaring winter morning or the bright summer sun. It is a simple, affordable upgrade that saves you buying a separate pair, and we can apply tints across a wide range of frames so you are never limited on style.
Beyond tinting, we supply every type of lens you might need, from standard single vision through to bifocals and the latest varifocal technology.
As an independent practice, we work with some of the biggest lens manufacturers in the world alongside trusted independent and local labs, which means we can always match the right lens to your prescription, lifestyle, and budget. Our team trials our main lens catalogue and upgrades in-house, so the advice you receive is based on genuine first-hand experience rather than sales targets. Whether you need everyday clarity, sharper distance vision, or a premium varifocal for seamless focus at every distance, we will guide you to the right choice.
Why Choose Costspex
Costspex is an independent, family-run opticians established in Durham in 2004, with over 100 years of combined optical experience between our team. In a market dominated by larger chains, we offer something different: a warm, welcoming practice where personal service comes first and every patient is treated as an individual rather than an appointment slot.
Because we glaze most of our glasses on-site, we keep prices genuinely affordable without compromising on design or quality, with complete pairs starting from just £30.
As an independent practice, we are not tied to a single lens supplier, so we can always source the best value option for your prescription and lifestyle. We stock everything from timeless classics to designer brands including Oakley and Ray-Ban, and our experienced optical assistants take the time to recommend frames that genuinely suit you. Whether you need a routine eye test, prescription sunglasses, or advice on varifocals, get in touch with our friendly team today.
Family-Run Since 2004
Durham-based opticians established in 2004, putting personal service before corporate targets.
100+ Years Experience
Decades of hands-on optical expertise behind every eye test, fitting, and dispense.
On-Site Glazing
Most glasses glazed in-house, keeping prices affordable with complete pairs from just £30.
5-Star Google Reviews
Trusted by patients across Durham, with consistent 5-star feedback for our service, care, and value.
DESIGNER EYEWEAR FOR EVERY STYLE
At Costspex we believe glasses should reflect your personality as much as they correct your vision. That is why we stock a broad range of designer eyewear alongside our everyday ranges, from timeless classics to bold contemporary shapes, with brands including Oakley and Ray-Ban available in-store. As an official Oakley and Ray-Ban stockist, we can also fit genuine Oakley and Ray-Ban prescription lenses into compatible sunglass frames, giving you authentic designer eyewear made to your exact prescription.
Our optical assistants take the time to understand your face shape, lifestyle, and personal taste before recommending styles, and we frequently update our catalogue in line with current fashion. Whether you want something understated for the office or a statement pair for the weekend, you will find it here.
Looking for an opticians in Durham?
At Costspex, we combine over 100 years of combined optical experience with a warm, welcoming approach and genuinely competitive prices. Whether you need a routine eye test, a new pair of glasses, or expert advice on the right lenses for your prescription, our team is always happy to help. Call us today on 0191 386 3517 or book an appointment at a time that suits you.
THOROUGH, MODERN EYE TESTS
A proper eye test is the foundation of everything we do, and at Costspex we make sure ours meet the most exacting, thorough, and accurate standards. Our practice is equipped with a range of advanced diagnostic equipment, including an Icare tonometer for measuring eye pressure, ideal for patients who dislike the traditional puff-of-air technique. Every piece of technology we use is paired with genuine human expertise and personal attention, never replacing the value of a qualified optician sitting down with you to explain what your results mean.
Our experienced opticians will talk through your findings in plain English, answer any concerns you may have, and only then arrive at your final prescription. It is eye care done properly, without the rushed, conveyor-belt feel of larger chains.
BOOK YOUR VISIT TO COSTSPEX TODAY
Ready to experience the difference an independent, family-run opticians can make? Whether you are due a routine eye test, looking for a new pair of designer frames, or simply want honest advice on lenses and prescriptions, our friendly team in Durham is here to help. There is no hard sell, no rushed appointments, and no pressure to choose products that do not suit you, just two decades of experience and genuine care for every patient who walks through our door.
Booking is quick and easy, and we will always do our best to accommodate appointments around your schedule.
Pop in to browse our full range of eyewear, bring along your existing prescription, or get in touch to book your next eye test. We look forward to welcoming you to Costspex and showing you why so many patients across Durham trust us with their eye care year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the right opticians can raise plenty of questions, from costs and lens choices to what to expect during your visit. Below we have answered some of the most common queries we receive from patients across Durham, drawing on over 20 years of experience as an independent, family-run practice. If your question is not covered here, our friendly team is always happy to help, so feel free to get in touch or pop into the practice for a chat.
Our complete pairs of single vision spring-loaded glasses with hard-coated lenses start from just £30. We also run popular Buy One, Get One Free ranges and Second Pair Discount offers, meaning two pairs of single vision spectacles start from £60, two pairs of bifocals from £130, and two pairs of varifocals from only £160. Because we glaze most of our glasses on-site, we are able to keep prices affordable without compromising on design or quality.
Yes, we offer tinting on any complete pair of glasses purchased from us for just £10 extra, turning them into prescription sunglasses ideal for a glaring winter morning or the summer sun. We have a good selection of sunglasses that can be made into prescription sunglasses, and many normal prescription glasses can also be converted to give you more choice. As an Oakley and Ray-Ban stockist, we can also fit genuine Oakley and Ray-Ban prescription lenses into compatible sunglass frames.
Yes, Costspex is an independent, family-run opticians established in Durham in 2004. Because we are not tied to any one lens supplier, we can always find the best value products for your needs, using some of the biggest suppliers in the world alongside a good range of independent and local labs. In a market dominated by larger chains, our practice is fully committed to providing a reassuring, professional, and individualised service.
To make sure your eye test meets the most exacting, thorough, and accurate standards, we use a range of advanced diagnostic equipment. This includes an Icare tonometer, which is ideal for patients who do not like the puff-of-air technique for measuring eye pressure. The equipment we use is always paired with human expertise and personal attention, and our experienced, highly qualified opticians will discuss your results and address any concerns before arriving at your final prescription.
We supply all types of lenses, from standard single vision through to bifocals and the latest varifocal technology. As an independent practice, we are not tied to any one lens supplier, which means we can always find the best value option for your prescription and lifestyle. We use some of the biggest lens manufacturers in the world alongside trusted independent and local labs, and our staff trial our main lens catalogue and upgrades so they can give you genuine first-hand advice.
At Costspex, we offer a comprehensive range of eye care services from our Durham practice. Whether you need a routine eye test, a new pair of prescription glasses or sunglasses, advice on lenses, or a reglaze to update your existing frames, our experienced team is always on hand to help. We also stock an extensive range of designer frames from leading brands, and offer Nuance Audio Glasses for those looking for discreet open-ear hearing support. Whatever you need, our team will always take the time to find the right solution for your prescription, your style and your budget, with no hard sell and no pressure.