Recommendations for High Street Opticians?

[stevensfo]

Following on from Julian's question, I'd like to know about recommendations for where to buy varifocal glasses. I don't mind buying normal glasses and sunglasses on the internet, but varifocals are quite different. I stopped using Specsavers many years ago when they told me that I could not book eye-tests for me and the kids together anymore due to a policy change. However it seems they've dropped this stupid policy now so I might try them again. I bought some from Boots once but their choice of frames was rather limited. I used 'Harrolds Opticians' for a few years but disliked the way they sold glasses. Paying more for lens coatings is one thing, but not the lens on its own. To openly admit that their basic lens was 'finished' to a low standard and that it was worth paying more for a usable lens, I found unethical.

Any opinions?

Steve

[Maroochydore]

We always used to use SpecSavers but following a medical related incidence we stopped using them. We found Vision Express very good, medically.

The difference between them is that SpecSavers are a franchised operation whereas Vision Express are company owned.

However, I think whoever you chose, they are only as good as the staff in that particular store.

I would ask around locally for recommendations.

[Snowbadger]

I'm afraid you are wrong about VE. They are mainly franchise as well. Recommendation is probably the best way to find a good optometrist, Where are you based?

SB

[uspaul666]

Ditto for ASDA. The point is if your prescription is high then thinner lenses are automatically offered at no extra cost so there’s no hard sell and there can be a big saving.

[Julian]

Based solely on experiences of the eye test itself I tend to use Vision Express because my local branch has a couple of extra machines that other local opticians that I've tried haven't had, in particular a retina photography machine that takes pictures of the left and right retina and keeps the results on file and also a "proper" field (breadth of vision) test unit where you look into a box while holding a button in your hand and have to click the button every time you see a light flashing.

Admittedly the only other local optician that I've used is David Clulow who didn't have either of these machines and on that sample result of 50%/50% I have no idea whether it is VE that is unusual in having them or DC that is unusual in not having them. I also have no idea if the extra machines are genuinely useful but I assumed that more is better, or at least can't hurt, and I certainly did feel that the breadth-of-vision test was more rigorous using the VE LEDs-plus-button machine. I also now have lots of retina pictures collected over the years that I can show to people at parties.

Edit: I should probably add that since I am over 50 with a mother who had Glaucoma I get free eye tests every year and I always take my prescription printout to another optician who carries the brand of glasses that I prefer hence my choice of where I have my eyes tested is not influenced at all by and any cost considerations.

- Julian

[Julian]

ASDA optician has those machines and they give you the glaucoma puff tests too. My father has glaucoma so I get an annual check FOC.

Good to know re the retina photography and the field tests. I didn't mention the glaucoma puff test since in my experience that is the one machine that every optician does have; I would definitely not trust somewhere that didn't do that test.

- Julian

[Dod101]

Based solely on experiences of the eye test itself I tend to use Vision Express because my local branch has a couple of extra machines that other local opticians that I've tried haven't had, in particular a retina photography machine that takes pictures of the left and right retina and keeps the results on file and also a "proper" field (breadth of vision) test unit where you look into a box while holding a button in your hand and have to click the button every time you see a light flashing.

The privately owned local optician that I have used for the past 20 years or so has all these various machines/tests. I thought all opticians would have them. So that would be the first test. If they do not have them, do not go near them. They are surely part of normal eye care, especially for those middle aged and over. I think the best idea is local recommendation, and of course the practitioner him/herself. There is a school marm type of female in my opticians and I always reject her, however good she might be because, like doctors, they do not all have very good bedside manners.

Dod

[Garless]

Used to go to Dollands before they were taken over by Boots and was very happy. After takeover the optician I had seen, and gave me very good advice about glaucoma which meant I knew to go to the eye hospital, left and after bad experience of the delivery of my next pair I left too. After cataract operations I need much simpler glasses, happy with the local Kodak franchise which has all the testing equipment I'd expect.

[stevensfo]

Thanks for the advice, guys. My question was really more about choice and price of glasses than the actual eye test. I already have a prescription and we have an annual eye check-up at work that is pretty thorough, so I just want to find some glasses, though I wouldn't say no to another test, just to compare them.
I didn't know about ASDA, so will see if there's a store nearby.

Steve

[Devjon]

Just to add my two penn'orth, I use ASDA and find they are excellent, both in the thoroughness of the eye test and the automatic supply of thinner lenses should your prescription warrant it.

I went for an eye test last year, the optometrist almost climbed into the chair looking in my left eye. He said that there might be a slight problem with UV damage, not to be too concerned as it seemed very slight but he would like to see me on a yearly basis.

The optometrist must have written to my Doctor as two weeks later I received a letter with an appointment to see an Ophthalmic Consultant at a local surgery. All turned out ok but I was advised to wear reactolite or sunglasses on bright days.

A far different experience from when I visited the Specsavers processing machine ( I knew exactly what frames and lenses I wanted, and was aware of the best discount offers that were available ) To give him his due, the Specsavers salesman was very very tenacious and did everything in his power to try and " Upsell " me.

[tea42]

+1 for Vision Express. Our local Specsavers were awful and refused to replace glasses that were totally unsuitable. I wouldnt touch them with a bargepole. I bought Varifocals over the internet many times from the US company $39 glasses. You could get top class Varifocals at very low prices, but now, with import duty and VAT its no longer worth it.

I bought Reactolite Rapide glasses but hated them. You walk into a dark room and you cant see properly for too long. Useless things.. Expensive mistake. They also make you look sinister. Dont like them on other people either.

[Dod101]

I agree about reactolite lenses. Can someone tell me what is the significance of thin lenses? To me it is a matter of weight on my nose, so the thinner the better.

Dod

[stevensfo]

The optometrist must have written to my Doctor as two weeks later I received a letter with an appointment to see an Ophthalmic Consultant at a local surgery.

So I assume he must have asked for the name of your doctor? In all my years of eye-tests, I've never heard an optician ask for this info. The one time that there was a potential problem with our son's eyes, he simply wrote that we should see an Opthalmologist for further tests.

Steve

[Lootman]

For the last 20 years I have seen a "proper" eye doctor, i.e. an ophthalmologist, for an annual exam. He performs a number of tests the average optometrist would not (always) do, like dilating the iris for a better look at the retina, optic nerve and macula, measurements of corneal thickness, inter-ocular pressure and peripheral vision (to look for glaucoma), retinal images and so on.

He does not sell glasses so there is no potential conflict of interest. But he writes a prescription that I am free to fill or not, which leaves the choice of where to actually get the glasses as a fairly trivial choice. I just wander around the local High Street until I see some frames that I like. I want the best possible eye exam; the frames are really just a commodity and I have no loyalty there.

[Devjon]

The optometrist must have written to my Doctor as two weeks later I received a letter with an appointment to see an Ophthalmic Consultant at a local surgery.

So I assume he must have asked for the name of your doctor? In all my years of eye-tests, I've never heard an optician ask for this info. The one time that there was a potential problem with our son's eyes, he simply wrote that we should see an Opthalmologist for further tests.

Hello stevensfo,

I'm not sure if ASDA Opticians already had my Doctors info as I've been using them on and off for several years, but thinking back I think he did indeed ask for my Doctors Practice once I'd mentioned that I'd been diagnosed with a "nasty" that might affect my vision.

One other thing that stands out was that it was the same person who did eye test several years apart ( I'd been to Specsavers in between ), a relatively young and very competent person which led me to believe that the company had an enlightened employment policy.

[quelquod]

I want the best possible eye exam; the frames are really just a commodity and I have no loyalty there.

Quite right.

Nevertheless dispensing (or whatever it's called) the complete spectacles does have some skill attached so it pays to take a bit of care. My wife bought spectacles (varifocals) from Vision Express once and had to return with them as she could not read with them. Turned out that the transition was so far down the large lenses that her eyes wouldn't swivel that far without pain. I bought a pair from Boots (varifocals) where the distance between my eyes had been wrongly measured. I was also advised wrongly (Specsavers) once that transition lenses would be fine. They weren't. Due to my high prescription with lenses very thick towards the perimeter; when they darkened the effect was like looking through a tunnel. Plenty of poorly trained assistants around shifting these commodities.

[stewamax]

Q: Why the assumption that Mr/Mrs/Ms Customer will have new frames?
A: Because they are Mr/Mrs/Ms Gullible Customer and the shop has sales targets.

I am happy with the frames I have and always ask for them to be re-glazed. The assistant (often somewhat grudgingly) produces a form that I sign to say I accept responsibility if the frame breaks during re-glazing, but to date one never has. I have single-focus lenses and never agree to have special lenses or coatings, and I never have rimless frames. Their systems probably flag me - correctly - as a cheapskate.

I am not into fashion and when I have a frame that is comfortable, stays on the bridge of my nose, whose lenses remain centred, and which (I fondly imagine…) suit me, why change?

I have used VE and Specsavers (my wife uses Boots – which locally is a franchise) and, as others have noted, the quality of service depends a great deal on the assistant.

I have never been sure whether the optometrists themselves are employees or freelancers

[Lootman]

Q: Why the assumption that Mr/Mrs/Ms Customer will have new frames?

I probably get a new pair (with frames) every couple of years, whether I need to or not, and for a few reasons:

1) I have insurance that covers much of the cost.

2) It's handy to have one or more spares in the event of loss or damage. I will always take two pairs on holiday, for instance, just in case.

3) I find that frames do become out-of-shape and looser over time.

4) I find it handy to have several pairs at a time - one for my office, one in the car for for driving, one for the home theatre room, one for the gym and so on.

Fashion isn't really a reason and in fact most of my pairs look fairly similar.

[Julian]

For the last 20 years I have seen a "proper" eye doctor, i.e. an ophthalmologist, for an annual exam. He performs a number of tests the average optometrist would not (always) do, like dilating the iris for a better look at the retina, optic nerve and macula, measurements of corneal thickness, inter-ocular pressure and peripheral vision (to look for glaucoma), retinal images and so on.
...

That's actually a very interesting idea. Depending upon a particular individual's level of concerns for their eye health, their personal finances and perhaps even their laziness (assuming the "proper" doctor is more difficult to travel to than their regular optician) they could make a personal decision to only do that every <x> years rather than every year with "normal" eye tests filling in the gaps. It's the sort of thing I might consider maybe every 3rd to 5th year as a "just to be sure" measure.

You've actually helped me remember something that was bugging me since joining this thread. I could remember having an eye test a few years ago were they used something other than a "puff machine" to test for glaucoma and I remember thinking "this is a nice change, far less intrusive". I now remember it was a "proper" eye doctor that did that test, a doctor at Moorefield Eye Hospital A&E when I had a suspected detached retina. And that's also reminded me that, after a bit of Googling got me worried about some suddenly emerged symptoms the day before, I actually presented at my local Vision Express first to get a basic eye test because I didn't want to use NHS A&E resources unnecessarily and it was the optician there who recommend that I do go to A&E but that I take the Tube to Moorfield's specialist eye A&E rather than go to my local general purpose A&E. Now that I'm remembering all this I think that very helpful suggestion from the VE optician (Moorfield Eye Hospital A&E was magnificent) is, apart from VE having a good set of machines and being convenient for me to get to, probably a subconscious reason why VE has my loyalty for eye tests.

- Julian

[madhatter]

Can someone tell me what is the significance of thin lenses? To me it is a matter of weight on my nose, so the thinner the better.

If the vision needs stronger lenses to correct it, they will either be thicker at the thickest part, or be made of a material with a higher refractive index, so it bends the light more, can be made thinner (for the same strength) and lighter, but which will probably cost more.

As you say, the lighter the weight on ones hooter, the more comfortable, less inclination to slip down. For some people, the thinner lenses would also look less obtrusive, so appearance could be a factor also.