Eye tests

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Sun 7 Dec 2014 11:47
Eye tests - Leif
I had an eye test yesterday at a local opticians as I need new glasses. I'd gone to SpecSavers for the last 20 years. I was surprised at how thorough it was. He found scarring on the retina in my left eye, probably from toxoplasmosis before birth, and early stage cataracts in both eyes. That last bit was a shock, quite normal at 51 apparently. Numerous SpecSavers tests did not spot the scarring, or even the inflammation of a cornea due to wood splinters, which was only detected when the new glasses were no good as the prescription had changed between the test and getting the glasses.

Anyone else have thoughts on SpecSavers, or other cheapo chains, versus an independent. It seems to me that cheapo chains work on high turnover to reduce prices, and a poor selection of frames.
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Sun 7 Dec 2014 12:33
Eye tests - galileo

Usd to have eye tests at work (provided for all staff using computers) from an independent who came in to the healthh centre there.

Since retiring I've used Dollond & Aitchison (now taken over by Boots), prescription not really suited my sight, so then went to Specsavers. The local Specsavers seems very thorough, checks field of vision, scans retinas, checks pressure (for glaucoma) and monitored development of a cataract in one eye (duly operated on this year).

Prescriptions for varifocals have worked out fine, but obviously all these comments only apply to the one branch I've used.,

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Sun 7 Dec 2014 14:22
Eye tests - bathtub tom

I realised many years ago that the large organisations do nothing like as good a job as the small independants.

I don't mean just opticians!

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Sun 7 Dec 2014 16:23
Eye tests - scot22

I had excellent service from a Specssavers branch. However, as has been said, with national chains it does seem to depend on who is in a particular place.

I agree with bathtub tom's general statement but, with the caution, there can be rubbish independents !

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Sun 7 Dec 2014 17:53
Eye tests - Bromptonaut

Used Boots for last several years, variously in Northampton or London. Latter was more convenient when working in Lincoln's. While London was OK service was much better locally. The opthalmist showed me my retinal photos and explained a few mars as being lilkey to be wear/tear but gave me an 'Angstler Grid' and instructions t use it regulalarly to watch for any distortion of my vision.

The assistant then went to grear lengths to find me frames to suit (I like a small aviator style but fashion's not that way ATM) eventually identifying a Ray Ban set. Lovely lady who's daughter is a pal of my son's.

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Sun 7 Dec 2014 19:17
Eye tests - Leif
I had my k****** done by an independent company with a small number of shops, much better than B&Q et al if the reviews are any indication. I think this local optician had 7 branches, and two have gone, so the recession and the internet must have hit them.
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Mon 8 Dec 2014 20:58
Eye tests - blindspot

Use local independant for eye sight test. Need to stay loyal to small biz.then use big chain for better choise frames. Went to d@h previously good service, but this time wanted £600 just for a reglaze. So went into vision express and got better for £450.

Had a problem couldn't see as well as hoped,either wrong prescription or miss made. They checked said it was all OK.then gave me free test and new lenses all for free.

So I have to recommend vision express

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Sat 13 Dec 2014 11:50
Eye tests - Armitage Shanks {p}

I use Boots, for conveneince and the quality of service I have had there. They forewarned me of developing cataracts, both of which I have had removed. Additionally, I do not get conned into buying new frames when I have a new prescription, I have my in-use frames reglazed. This is because they suited me when I chose them and they still do and I doubt that many frames, "designer" or otherwise, cost more than £20 to produce..

tinyurl.com/26yxpos

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Sun 14 Dec 2014 09:27
Eye tests - Leif
Yes it is in some ways a rip off, but shops have overheads such as rates that online shops do not have. That is why the high street is often no more than charity shops, estate agents and opticians.

Spec Savers have a high turnover to reduce cost per item, but the range is lousy. I thought the selection at Boots poor. I like oval and round lenses which are out of fashion. I might get a spare pair online, but your choice is to buy cheap online, or pay a premium for a local shop, where you get a proper eye exam, and view frames properly.

I was amazed at some of the shop prices, even comparing shops almost next door, some take the wee wee.
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Wed 14 Jan 2015 11:45
Eye tests - balleballe

Specsavers work on volume and put a lot of pressure on their optometrists which is why you'll seldom find good experienced optometrists working there. Each Specsavers is a franchise so level of service will differ store to store. In my experience though, they're all cut from the same cloth.

Boots/D&A are more professional and more clinical orientated, but I have noticed this change slightly the last few years and they are becomiong more commercial also.

Vision Express have the best quality lenses of the lot, but their price reflects this often due to their huge markup.

We do 30 minute eye tests, have a good selection of frames and sell lenses of a much better quality than Specsavers at similar prices. We do not have the advertising budget that specsavers do and hence why they will always be successful

Which magazine recently did a study/survey on sight tests recently and independent optician chains came out on top, followed by costco believe it or not. Specsavers were somewhere near the bottom, unsurprisingly

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Wed 14 Jan 2015 12:45
Eye tests - FP

Interesting post, BB.

I've used Boots for quite a few years and eighteen months ago saw some highly desirable frames in my local branch which it appears not every Boots keeps. (The brand is Polaris.) The price, of course, was high, but I really liked them (and still do). I've never felt that Boots care overall was less than very good and may well continue to use them, though I take your point about independent opticians.

My only contact with Specsavers is with one of their their hearing aid departments. Here I have received exceptional care. Perhaps I'm just fortunate to have found an audiologist who is prepared to do what it takes.

I have a slightly unusual hearing loss, in that it is only middle to higher frequencies that are a problem, but it is a severe problem. As I am a musician, it means that the aids have to be individually configured, manually, over the whole hearing spectrum.

Thanks to this individual, I can function more or less normally in most situations.

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Wed 14 Jan 2015 13:17
Eye tests - balleballe

Im glad to hear (pardon the pun) you've received great service from their hearing care side of things.

Specsavers sometimes outsource their audiologists and get 10% of the turnover from the clinic - they are not therefore subject to the same commercial pressure that the optometrists are.

Even the employed audiologists seem to have it easy with regards to sales figures etc...

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Thu 22 Jan 2015 21:07
Eye tests - Leif
That is very interesting. I ended up buying rimless glasses for £290 from the local shop. Expensive, possibly overpriced, but nice. Some of the prices in Godalming opticians made my eyes water.

What worries me is that online shops could wipe out high street shops apart from SpecSavers.
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