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Any Opticians Here? Advice Please!

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Posts: 234 Forumite
I don't have time to go through this fully as I'm off out, but basically after several trips to Specsavers I finally handed them back my new glasses as they were unwearable. I could only see properly through the dead centre of them while standing still, they made me feel sick, and my head really fuzzy. I couldn't look around in them, without feeling ill. My local shop measured them and said the axis was wrong on the left, Specsavers machine said it was fine.
They sent me to an independent they also own, who first told me it sounded like the axis was out, then did a retest. This came up with a different prescription for the right eye. They told me this was the cause of my problems when I was going to buy glasses from them, but when I discovered how much more they'd cost me, I told them I couldn't afford them. Since then, they are claiming the difference isn't big enough to cause my problems. I've just had to pay them to give me the details of the new test, but I still don't know what caused the others to be unwearable, so don't want to order anything yet!
Could you tell me if the difference between these prescriptions is enough to cause problems on its own, thanks?
Old: (R) -6.50 -3.50 180 and (L) -5.75 -3.75 4
New: (R) -5.75 -4.00 179 and (L) -5.75 -3.75 4
They sent me to an independent they also own, who first told me it sounded like the axis was out, then did a retest. This came up with a different prescription for the right eye. They told me this was the cause of my problems when I was going to buy glasses from them, but when I discovered how much more they'd cost me, I told them I couldn't afford them. Since then, they are claiming the difference isn't big enough to cause my problems. I've just had to pay them to give me the details of the new test, but I still don't know what caused the others to be unwearable, so don't want to order anything yet!
Could you tell me if the difference between these prescriptions is enough to cause problems on its own, thanks?
Old: (R) -6.50 -3.50 180 and (L) -5.75 -3.75 4
New: (R) -5.75 -4.00 179 and (L) -5.75 -3.75 4
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Comments
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I am not an optician, but did make glasses for 22 years.
The axis difference is almost nothing (1 degree being within manufacturing tolerance).
Although the cylinder (the 2nd number) on the right is 0.50 different between old and new, the combined powers (1st and 2nd number combined) are only 0.25. Not much for an overall power of -10.00.
Such differences between tests are not unusual for someone with your high prescription. There could also be other reasons for not getting on with them, such as lens curves, material, pupil distance, frame adjustment.
Specsavers are owned by individual franchisees, who to the best of my knowledge, never also own other independent stores.
In an ideal world (this would have happened where I worked) the original optician should have remade the glasses as many times as it took to get them right, or offer a full refund.
Your particular prescription means you would be well advised to pay a little extra and develop a long term relationship with an optician you trust.Been away for a while.0 -
Sadly, I'm not in a position to pay any more for my glasses, much as I'd love to buy good quality ones from a reputable store.
Specsavers did offer to remake the glasses, but it was the final straw in a long and complicated saga, involving 8 previous trips to the store (30 mile round trip each time). The staff were either very unhelpful, or forgot to do essential things, resulting in me driving back to the store repeatedly. The first set of lenses were so cosmetically awful that I returned the glasses after half an hour, it made me want to cry looking at them in a mirror. So, putting this together with the fact that when I went back for a ninth time after realising I couldn't see through the second set of lenses, the member of staff immediately identified me as 'the one who wrote the letter' detailing their all failings, I decided it was best to cut my losses and start again elsewhere.
The family who own the Specsavers store closed their independent store in the same town to open it, but retained the one in the next town (actually nearer me). Because I used an NHS voucher, and had signed for the glasses, it was decided that they'd transfer the credit over to the independent store rather than cancel the voucher. The lady there seemed very unhappy to see me, announcing very abruptly 'and I said, why do I have to deal with this' when I explained that she should be expecting me. She wasn't happy to make any glasses to the old prescription, insisting on the new test. Originally she wanted me to pay, but when I got ready to leave, saying I'd better get in touch with the PCT about cancelling the voucher and getting a retest, she agreed they'd do it free 'because you've had so much trouble'.
The optician who did the test said he thought it sounded like the axis was out when I described the problem, and did an extremely thorough test, double checking everything, and starting with something I forget the name of where they can check your eyes without asking you any questions. He checked at the end that I could read the chart properly with the new prescription, and even double checked his pupil distance measurement with the one on my old glasses. I'm fairly sure he said the old prescription was wrong, the woman on the counter certainly did when she thought I was buying glasses from them.
Sadly, when she added up the cost, using the cheapest frames I could find (actually from the kids shelf), she wanted an extra £114 on top of the voucher value (£79 I think) and the £8 in cash I had given Specsavers. She said they could only make them with thin lenses, it wasn't possible to use standard ones with my prescription. I explained that I really couldn't afford that, but she said there was no other way of doing it. At this point, I decided it was best to leave, so I said I'd have to get in touch with the PCT and find out about getting my voucher back. She then insisted on me returning the copy of the prescription she had already given me.
After conversations with Specsavers and the PCT, it appeared she had told Specsavers I'd asked for the thin lenses, and the PCT that they were necessary due to the problems with the previous glasses, whereas she'd told me they were the only option! I was told I could get another voucher as I'd returned the glasses, but not have my new prescription to buy glasses with! As I'd already had problems with the old one, I eventually agreed to pay for the sight test just to get the prescription.
I went to pick it up today, paid, and was given my NHS voucher with the details written on, but no prescription. I was told the boss told her not to give it to me 'as they'd done the retest as a favour'. I obviously pointed out I had now paid in full for this 'favour' but the optician is not in for a week now, so I have to wait till they've asked him.
I'm now in a postion where I can't use the voucher as it's the only official signed copy of the new test I have. Even if I could use it, I don't know if I will be able to use the glasses, as Specsavers insist there is no problem either with the old glasses, or the difference in prescriptions. I have no idea what to do, I just know I never want to buy a pair of glasses in any high street store again.0 -
OK, so you now have a new NHS voucher that you can use anywhere, based on an examination that you seem to have confidence in. The prescription recorded on the voucher is all you need, I doubt anyone will refuse to accept it just because you don't have a seperate copy. It sounds like you will get a seperate copy once the optician is available to sign it - just use your voucher and chase up the prescription copy later.
On a separate note, in the case where the vision is good straight ahead, but not to the side, there won't be much wrong with the prescription, more likely the problem lies in the dispensing - the lens type may be different, or the centering.
Tidus0 -
I had confidence in it straight after the examination, when they were all telling me that the previous prescription was wrong and that would cause the problems. Now they say the glasses were fine and the first eyetest was fine, I don't know what to believe. I don't know if I pay for a new pair of glasses, if they'll be any better. Also, every shop I go to seems to insist I must have ultrathin lenses which I can't afford. My 2 year old pair of glasses has standard lenses in and looks fine, and there was only a slight change, so why all of a sudden do I need expensive lenses?
I don't want to let go of the voucher till I have the proper prescription. The second shop has been extremely funny with me, and I can't guarantee getting the prescription later. I don't want to let go of the only properly signed copy of my prescription, or what comeback do I have in case of problems?
I thought the lenses in the glasses did look odd, they were far thicker than I'd expect, even given my prescription, and I got a lot of reflections from the sides which I've never had before. Also, the pupil distance was recorded at a later time, as they forgot to do it!0 -
I am very surprised the PD was recorded later. On low prescriptions you could get away with guessing, but not on yours. I know you say you do not want thinner lenses, but very few people have a prescription as high as yours, and it will make a difference to the thickness, and the anti-reflection coat should reduce those side reflections. I used to get complaints from patients that their new glasses were thicker, and when looking into it, it was almost always a combination of slightly higher prescription, and slightly bigger frame. But without you and your glasses in front of me with a full history, it is impossible to say for sure. Which brings us back where we started; finding an optician you have confidence in.Been away for a while.0
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It was owing to Specsavers total incompetence, they processed the order for me, I paid, I drove 15 miles home, to find the phone ringing and them telling me they'd forgotten to measure my eyes. I had to drive 15 miles back again straight after school, but there is no guarantee that it was added to the right order as it was done hours later. And it was done by an assistant. I don't know what they made it, as I wasn't told of course. The second time, it was the first thing the optician did, and he double checked his result against my old glasses. He also told it to me and wrote it down on my notes with a big circle round it, so I made a mental note in case I ever needed it.
I know thin lenses are the ideal, but I've never been able to afford any, so I've learned to minimise the problem by going for the smallest frame I can with no straight edges at all. Specsavers didn't have a pair like this, so I ended up with (small still) frames with a point at the top edge. This may have made them look worse. I'd've liked anti reflective too, as I find driving hard work at night, but again I couldn't afford the extra.
I'm going to have to go to another optician sometime and just buy the cheapest pair I can, as soon as I find one who understands I can't afford hundreds of pounds extra. If I wait till I have the new prescription, hopefully I'll feel more like it!
Thanks for your help.0
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