Choosing an optician.

Oggy

Oggy

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,240
Name
Roger
Edit My Images
Yes
I am getting to the age where I find myself walking into things and kissing my boss because I cannot tell him from my wife. Obviously not a tenable situation, so I need some glasses.

I know a number of people, Mrs Oggy included, who have been to the large chain Opticians and there corrected sight is as bad as mine.

Does anyone who wears glasses have any advice on where to go to get them?
 
I went to a nice small friendly independent place for years, then I went to get contacts fitted at specsavers and discovered that my prescription was wrong by -1.75.
The chain place was better simply because they had the latest and best equipment.

The best thing to do is go get your eyes tested at Specsavers for £20, find a style you like then go to http://www.glassesdirect.co.uk/ they are far far cheaper than anywhere else and you get 2 for 1 plus the option of sunglass coating for free.

Don't discount contacts (again take the perscription and run to the internet) the ones I wear are monthly ones you have to take out at night.
 
My optician is an independent, a small friendly practice that until recently had two fully qualified opticians.
Now, the newly qualified son of the boss has joined. He's working under supervision, which means that he carries out the eye tests, which are then done again by one of the others, which is exactly how it should be done.

Chains? Don't make me laugh - they employ unqualified people who are SUPPOSED to have their work checked by qualified people - but qualified people cost money, so are thin on the ground in these places.
 
I've been using the same place for the last decade. It used to be part of a small chain of four shops around Bristol but was taken over by vision express. All the same people working in the branch I use though.

Before that my previous pairs came from a big chain that claim to save on specs and offer two for one deals. The problem was that I couldn't swap between the pairs without being disoriented so something had been done wrong in the manufacture. Further, the frames lost the coating on the metal, the plastic of the bits over the ears hardend and cracked and the scratch resistant lenses scratched to the extent that it was like being in fog all the time.

Go to an independent. They don't generally have ties with particular manufacturers or their own manufacturing facilities, which means you will generally get offered the biggest choice without needing to know to ask (e.g. I have two layer glass lenses made by Zeiss, someone I know that works for one of the big chains as a lens grinder said they could order them in but you had to go in and ask, they would not tell you it was available as the staff had to push the own brand stuff).
 
I'd agree with Decca, go to a larger optician because they will have better testing equipment but don't buy your glasses from them. Ask them to give you your prescription and buy from the net, I personally use http://www.goggles4u.co.uk/ and http://www.zennioptical.com/ paying £15 - £50 as the mood takes me when I feel like new specs.
 
I have wierd eyes (don't ask :) ) and used to go to an independent but a couple of times I had to go back and get the lenses changed as they were not right, so I decided to go to Specsavers as they had 2 for 1 offers, free reactolites etc.
I still needed to go back as the first time they got it wrong but they perservered until I was happy.
Last year I had 3 lots of lenses fitted before I was happy.
Try doing that if you buy online.
 
Its a hard job keeping an eye out for a good optician :lol::lol:

Realspeed
 
In your case whitewash since you already have glasses, measure them yourself. The important measurements are - nose bridge, the overall width and length of the arm (called the temple). You'll also see measurements for the height and width of the actual lens, for everyday use I prefer a shorter height so I can see under them to read, for tv watching I like bigger lenses because they let you lie back and relax and still see the telly.
The thing with buying online is you can buy ten or more pairs of glasses for the same money as one pair from a high street optician so go wild! :)
 
Suvv said:
I have wierd eyes (don't ask :) ) and used to go to an independent but a couple of times I had to go back and get the lenses changed as they were not right, so I decided to go to Specsavers as they had 2 for 1 offers, free reactolites etc.
I still needed to go back as the first time they got it wrong but they perservered until I was happy.
Last year I had 3 lots of lenses fitted before I was happy.
Try doing that if you buy online.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you mean by "got it wrong" but surely if you have a prescription, either they are not following it or it's wrong, either way that's poor service from somebody.
 
Tried large chains and didn't like - tried Internet and liked even less, bit like trying to buy shoes without seeing them and trying them on! I now use a local family business and get on very well with them, they are a bit more expensive but it's worth it.
I did try using a prescription from them to get extra work pairs from Tesco but I didn't really get on with them either.
Support your local family business seems to be the best for me.
 
I recently smashed my main varifocals and went for an eye test. I went to vision express as they were the first to fit me in with an appt on that day. The eye test was £28 but appeared to be very thorough. I don't think I've paid more than a tenner in the past.

I then spent some considerable time selecting frames and other options and ended up with a short list of three topped by something near identical to what I had just smashed the day before. The price I was quoted, all inclusive, lens frames & vat but not the eye test, was £469. I decided to go away and think about it, wondering if I should risk buying online now I had my prescription.

Whilst walking back to the car park I popped into specsavers and asked for a quote for my preferred option - like for like. Their price? £245! Needless to say, I ordered there and then.

I would recommend a big chain for the test due to the better equipment. If you have ANY doubts about the test then go elsewhere and have another test. The test is the least expensive part of the process - and the most important.

Then, with your prescription, shop around. The chains vary enormously as I've just found out. I'd be very reluctant to buy online, especially for your first specs, due to the absence of a fitting service. I might consider it for a second pair if I get around to it.
 
First pair I had from a chain, they hadn't taken into account the base curvature I was used to with my lenses, and it took them a while to discover my valid reason for complaining.

Similar to onomatopoeia, I couldn't swap comfortably between two pairs.

Smaller opticians usually see themselves as a boutique, and are over-keen to sell the most expensive frames and lenses possible.
 
Steep said:
In your case whitewash since you already have glasses, measure them yourself. The important measurements are - nose bridge, the overall width and length of the arm (called the temple). You'll also see measurements for the height and width of the actual lens, for everyday use I prefer a shorter height so I can see under them to read, for tv watching I like bigger lenses because they let you lie back and relax and still see the telly.
The thing with buying online is you can buy ten or more pairs of glasses for the same money as one pair from a high street optician so go wild! :)
Click to expand...

thanks steep, i'm a 1 pair only (plus sunglasses) kind of person, had my current pair for the past 3 years now (tbh id wear the same tshirt, jeans and shoes for 3 years if i could get away with it!), so im thinking i need to get retested soon but struggling with the cost so its something i might look into!
 
I've worn specs all my life, so from my experience the small independant optician was never any better only much more expensive.

The worst experience was at Tesco's optician. Good price, good service but ill fitting frames & lenses that created "Bending", vowed not to return.

The best ever opticians I ever tried was "Asda". Every thing from the eye test to fitting the glasses was spot on. Very good price too.
 
:plusone: Asda. Mine cost £50 and are far better than the ones I got from a well known retailer that I should have gone to :)
 
I use a local, long established opticians as they give me a thorough eye test, have a quick turnaround when ordering lenses & are generally very helpful. I like glass lenses (rather than plastic or resin) and have never found them to be expensive. My OH has been to Boots/Specsavers etc over the years & her lenses always get a lot more scratched & the frames never seem to last as long as mine. I guess like anything tho it's the luck of the draw just like buying anything these days.
 
Decca said:
The best thing to do is go get your eyes tested at Specsavers for £20, find a style you like then go to http://www.glassesdirect.co.uk/ they are far far cheaper than anywhere else and you get 2 for 1 plus the option of sunglass coating for free.
Click to expand...

I used glassesdirect for a couple of years and was reasonably happy with them until I has a frame break - the bridge between the two lenses broke off - after just 7 months. Called them up and they were really apologetic BUT their warranty is only 6 months. They offered to replace the frame at half price, which I begrudgingly accepted - the new frame broke in exactly the same place 8 months later!

I called them again to complain and suggest there might be a design/manufacturing fault but they wouldn't listen. Finally, after much effort and a personal visit to their offices in Swindon I got to speak to their MD - and now I know where the rest of the staff get their stuff you attitude from.

These days I use Specsavers and have absolutelt no complaints at all :thumbs:
 
I've used Specsavers for 15 years and have always been happy with them. Had an eye test a couple of weeks ago and, as my eyesight is so bad in my right eye now, he suggested putting plain glass in that side and varifocals in the left side, saving me £55. They're doing free eye tests at the moment if you purchase glasses from them as well and their prices are quite decent.
 
Been wearing 'bins' for most of my life. Used the independent, the small group and the major chains.

All much of a muchness I've found and now tend to use the one I should have gone to.

Latesy equipment and they usually have a deal or two going on with BOGOF or free 'shades'

Still can't see a bl**dy thing though - can't hear either:shake:
 
fabs said:
I've used Specsavers for 15 years and have always been happy with them. Had an eye test a couple of weeks ago and, as my eyesight is so bad in my right eye now, he suggested putting plain glass in that side and varifocals in the left side, saving me £55. They're doing free eye tests at the moment if you purchase glasses from them as well and their prices are quite decent.
Click to expand...
I had something very similar, except that I went to an independent who is fully qualified, highly experienced and who really cares.

Instead of suggesting a balance lens for my bad eye, he examined it properly and found a cataract, and to cut a long story short I now have 2 good eyes.

And that's why I go there instead of to a chain. Good quality and cheap prices may not go together, but IMO good sight is more important than money.
 
Garry Edwards said:
My optician is an independent, a small friendly practice that until recently had two fully qualified opticians.
Now, the newly qualified son of the boss has joined. He's working under supervision, which means that he carries out the eye tests, which are then done again by one of the others, which is exactly how it should be done.

Chains? Don't make me laugh - they employ unqualified people who are SUPPOSED to have their work checked by qualified people - but qualified people cost money, so are thin on the ground in these places.
Click to expand...

If you ever suspect that your optometrist is unqualified, then ask them for their GOC number or search their full name here (because not everyone knows their number off by heart) - it's the database of the General Optical Council, which is professional body that governs all optometrists in the interest of the public. If you find that they're not on that database, then report them/the opticians to the GOC because you are not allowed to practice optometry without qualifications.

Newly qualified and supervised, fine; unqualified is not fine.
 
Last edited:
My wife has complex lenses and has had fantastic service from vision express. They gave good advice on which frames suited her the best, which turned to be from their cheapest range so no pressure selling.
 
specsavers.. nowt wrong wiht them.... they did me a set of reading glasses BUT for the computer... computer screen and a book are diff distances.. when i told them i do more computer work than book reading they set the prescription accordingly..
 
Oggy said:
Does anyone who wears glasses have any advice on where to go to get them?
Click to expand...

Just do what I did, walk into the place, straight up to the counter and declare "Right, Im here for an eye test, I do not want your overpriced glasses forced on me afterwards and I hope your eye testers are fully qualified. Got it?"

Hopefully your reply won't then be: "This is the butcher's mate, opticians is 3 doors down"

:coat:
 
I go to Asda for mine.

Admittedly I am biased for a number of reasons.

One : I work at Asda so it's handy
Two : I work at Asda so get a discount (and a free eye test)
Three : My wife works in the Opticians at Asda so I get to whisper sweet nothings while Im there :D
 
I went to a certain large chain beginning with s for years, were great for a long time but they persistently got my prescription wrong for the last 3-4 years, diagnosed me with a problem I didn't have and used the wrong kind of lenses to correct the non-existent problem.

Soo went to asda - more of the tests are done the old fashioned way instead of all with machines but they got it right each time, and they were correct about 18 months, 2 years ago that I no longer needed them :D
 
Vision Express - fast, good service but last time I went there it was a bit pricey.

Spec Savers - Cheaper, slower and alright - but I must admit, they were heavily reliant upon fancy machines that scan your lenses and eyes, which I'm not to sure is a good thing just yet as I'm a little unconvinced about my current set of glasses. Also the 2 for 1 offer, is good right up until you look at getting thinner lenses and additional extras as you get the frame and lens for free on one, but you still have to pay for the extras.

I'll probably look at a smaller local opticians as I've had good experiences with a local independent opticians in the past. (Then I moved and decided to try Vision Express)
 
Thanks for all the replies.
 
knowing a little about eyes, rehab assistant for the visually impaired, all I can say is bigger chain, more equipment not necessarily are the best options.
Specsavers are a chain, yes, but they are a franchise.
I've used them and been given wrong info and prescriptions. Even getting a prescription in one place and going to the cheaper place to get them made up is not always the best option.

You should be looking for an optometrist, not all opticians are. Although Specsavers etc may provide the correct prescription they may not be reading your eye health correctly. Saving a few quid now is not always the smartest move with your eyes. If damage is missed it may not be reversible later. Pay the cash now for the best optician you can and go regularly........
 
Cheers Steve :thumbs:
 
Hmmm hi,

Well know the feeling about walking into things, I headbutted a lamp post the other week which set off a migraine which is never fun, but then I am visually impaired and it was a very bright evening with the sun straight in my face!

I hope by now you have found a good optometrist, it sounds from what you are saying you definately need one!!! I would tend to go with the smaller opto's, however some of the larger chains are very well equiped. Depends what options you have around you but getting to know an optom is a really good idea, build up a relationship with them, saves them having to start from scratch every time you go to see them.

Chris
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top