Which optician should I choose please?

hethmar

Havent had my eyes tested for about 8 years and I know that I need glasses. Ive been buying cheap magnifying ones from places like poundland - half a dozen at a time I am a senior now so I shant be paying for the test.

I have long sight - age related - do I need prescription glasses? And which is the best opticians please.

Vision Express, Boots, Specsavers, they all have 2 for 1 and other offers at the mo and its not the cheapest, I just want the best service.


I know lots of people say go local but our only opticians hasnt changed since about 1960 (including the staff!) and never a smile when you enter.

horsechestnut

I go to D&A because I have quite complex vision and need double prisms (and of course want the super-thin lenses!) and Nikon are the only manufacturer of lenses that do them; and D&A are the only opticians in my area that offer them.
Boots do offer a very good service (and if you are over 60 and have a Boots card you get 10% off Boots own brand frames.)
I have heard people have been disappointed with Specsavers and Vision Express; whereas Boots are very thorough and will help you if you just pop in with a slight adjustment etc.

Robin_T_Cox

My wife and I have found ASDA very good (she has been successfully operated on in both eyes for glaucoma, and I am on regular checks of my eye tensions in order to prevent it). Their optometrists are excellent, they do a full range of diagnostic tests and their prices are very competitive. In addition their range of frames and styles is very good, and you can get thin lenses, anti-reflective coating etc as well as 'two for the price of one'. Contact lenses also, if you prefer. Do check them out, if you have a store near you.

http://www.asda-contactlenses.co.uk/in_store_opticians.html

See also these recent forum threads:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2025831

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2605841

pollypenny

As Specsavers are franchises, they can vary quite a bit.

However, I have found them very good and any wrong with the specs is quickly sorted. A couple of years ago, while choosing new glasses, I remarked that the old ones were 'the worst glasses I'd ever had.'

An immediate 10% discount off the new ones.

Zazie

Another vote for ASDA. They charge a flat rate whatever your prescription (except for varifocals) and frames. I've saved hundreds with them.

nedmundo

Don't rule out Independents either. They can also offer good service and value. Worth asking around for recommendations.

seven-day-weekend

horsechestnut wrote: »

I go to D&A because I have quite complex vision and need double prisms (and of course want the super-thin lenses!) and Nikon are the only manufacturer of lenses that do them; and D&A are the only opticians in my area that offer them.
Boots do offer a very good service (and if you are over 60 and have a Boots card you get 10% off Boots own brand frames.)
I have heard people have been disappointed with Specsavers and Vision Express; whereas Boots are very thorough and will help you if you just pop in with a slight adjustment etc.

Yes I would agree about Boots and also about being disappointed with Specsavers and Vision Express.

If you have a Scrivens near you they are excellent and offer twelve-months interest-free credit.
http://www.scrivens.com/store_locator.asp

hethmar

Many thanks everyone. I had no idea how expensive glasses are. I guess all the pound land ones Ive bought would make me think any prescription ones are expensive though! Checked ASDA, sadly no ASDA opticians for 40 miles round here.

Bit worried about specsavers as a friend told me she spent months going back and forwards to them when she got her glasses as they made her feel dizzy.

Have had a look at the optician in the village again - through the window - LOL and noticed that the elderly chap seems to have been replaced by a young man in his thirties plus they have changed the layout in the shop a few months back and they had a notice up "50% off frames". I think I will book an appointment with them for the test and check out the glasses prices whilst Im there. I can always just ask for the prescription and buy the frames elsewhere cant I.

Thanks everyone for focussing my mind.

alanq

As has been pointed out earlier Specsavers is a franchise. I have found my local branch to be very good and any problems have been sorted out quickly.

On the other hand, several years ago, I was having sight problems a few months having had a sight test and glasses from Boots. I asked to speak to an optician but I was told that I could not do so apart from booking another sight test a couple of weeks later. One month later, and having visited my GP, I ended up at my local hospital. where I was told that my symptoms could have been a sign of a detached retina and if they recurred I should come straight to A&E. Fortunately I was OK but Boots stance could have cost me damaged sight. It has cost them a customer as I never went back to them. A couple of minutes speaking to an optician would have led to a better outcome for both me and the company.

I prefer to buy my specs from the place I have my eye test to avoid the possibility of dispute whether there has been a prescribing error or dispensing error. I find that most High Street chains have large stocks of styles that are variations on a theme of what is considered trendy but are are not to my taste.

pollypenny

I started going to Specsavers when my lovely private optician retired and the new dispensing man was so rude.

My local Specsavers is excellent - as it is so local, I can pop in if my specs need adjusting. The only ones which did were the ones i complained about and earned my 10% discount.