Hello
@albo
I have read the whole of the thread and there are several solutions to the problem, all of which have been referred to:
a) keep the lenses and simply change the broken side (or both sides so that they are even) to a replacement, or refit the lenses into another similar frame that they will fit into.
b) measure the power of the lenses using a focimeter (a fairly simple job) and then use this prescription to make up new glasses. this prescription can be used to make up either replacement bifocals, or just the distance prescription lenses.
c) have a complete new test using a retinoscope. Using a retinoscope (rather than more subjective tests) is a very skilled task and really requires considerable practise, so not all optometrists are willing to do it. It is usually performed on babies and young children, so it would be a good idea to find someone who is used to dealing with children. In some areas local optometrists have a contract with the local hospital to provide testing for the children in the eye clinic. If you know a young child who wears glasses find out from their parents where they go. Would you be able to get your mum to the opticians, or would you have to get someone to do a home visit?
I would guess that the person you spoke to in the opticians is a dispensing optician, which is far far more than front of house (although in smaller opticians they often double up as this). Dispensing opticians are qualified to sort out prescriptions, cut the lenses to fit the frames, make up the glasses and deal with the fit of the whole thing. They are not qualified to do the test for glasses, though - that has to be done by an ophthalmic optician/optometrist or an ophthalmologist (eye doctor). She sounded IMO a very helpful person
It all depends on how far you want to go to sort this.