Optican newbie

[ericpode]

In the past I've had eye tests at work and always passed with flying colours. But in the past few months I've noticed a marked deterioration - I was particularly shocked when I went into Argos the other day and had a real struggle to read the catalogue numbers.

Anyway, eye tests at work aren't an option any more so I'll be visiting a high street optician for the first time in the next couple of weeks.

Are there any to avoid? Is the price of an eye test still £10?

I suspect that they'll try to sell me expensive lenses and frames, so do I just say "no thanks, can you just write out a presecription" and they'll issue me with one without a problem or extra charges?

I've already found the thread on here about cheap online opticians so I guess I'll just try one of them.

[Toots]

In the past I've had eye tests at work and always passed with flying colours. But in the past few months I've noticed a marked deterioration - I was particularly shocked when I went into Argos the other day and had a real struggle to read the catalogue numbers.

Anyway, eye tests at work aren't an option any more so I'll be visiting a high street optician for the first time in the next couple of weeks.

Are there any to avoid? Is the price of an eye test still £10?

I suspect that they'll try to sell me expensive lenses and frames, so do I just say "no thanks, can you just write out a presecription" and they'll issue me with one without a problem or extra charges?

I've already found the thread on here about cheap online opticians so I guess I'll just try one of them.

I don't pay for my eye tests (as my Dad has glaucoma) but the last one my OH had was £25 at Dolland and Aitchison.

There's no problem with just having a prescription and going elsewhere for glasses or lenses - no extra charge.

From what you've said about not being able to read catalogue numbers it sounds like you might just need reading glasses. You can normally tell because you feel like your arms need to grow longer to hold a newspaper in a comfortable position to read it.

If it is just this and there is no other problem then if your eyes both measure the same once you have your prescription you can pick up reading glasses for only a few pounds in loads of different shops (they're just magnifiers).

[greengrass]

Dolland and Aitchinson are doing free eye tests at the moment, go online to print their vouchers off, I have just booked my sight test for tomorrow,

[ericpode]

Thanks. I just looked at D&A's front page and you can get a voucher emailed to you by completing the online form. Persumably that's what you mean.

if your eyes both measure the same once you have your prescription you can pick up reading glasses for only a few pounds in loads of different shopsIf your eyes measure DIFFERENTLY, can you still get cheaper glasses online?

One particular test I had about 15 years ago had my eyes as being slightly astigmatic, but it was so little that I didn't bother - subsequent tests have been near perfect. If I end up having astigmatism will those lenses be more expensive and will I still be able to get these online cheaper than at D&A?

[Savvy_Sue]

I was wondering if DandA (http://www.danda.co.uk) were still doing free eye tests, don't think I've paid for one for years!

[sandy2]

get your free DandA eye test, ask for you prescription also ask for you Pupilary Distance (PD) as you will need this if you order glasses on line and it is not normally included on your prescription details. Try on a few pairs of glasses in the shop to see what styles suit you, the look on the side arm and there wil be 3 measurements, keep a note of these its the bridge width that fits your nose and the arm length and one other I can't remember. anyway these again are useful for when checkings specs sites.
Don't worry about your astigmatism, this is reflected in you prescription
I downloaded a free ebook from Specs4less which has some useful info