Eye tests

Cacran

I am due for an eye test. In the past I have managed to get free test from various offers but found that the optitians were not very hapy that I wanted the prescription only and then I got my glasses from a cut price place. The last time it was quite embarassing. I know tesco does free eye test but there isn't one near so travelling far wouldn't be cost effective. Does anyone know which do cheapest eye tests? Has anyone had similar experience, if so, how did you deal with it?
If I pay for my eye test will I be in a better position to go elsewhere for glasses and wil I have to make an excuse or shall I be upfront about it?

alanq

My local SpecSavers have in the past offered free eye tests conditional on the purchase of glasses. When they are short of bookings they occasionally place a sign outside saying £x for that day only without any conditions. However, SpecSavers is a franchise so different branches may have different offers.

I had my SpecSavers eye test today for £5 using a voucher sent with the letter telling me a test was due. No significant change in prescription. No new glasses required.

If your optician was foolish enough to offer a free eye test without placing pre-conditions on the offer then that is their problem.

An optician is required to give you the prescription to take elsewhere if you chose.

The following are entitled to a free NHS sight test.

• Under-16s.
• Under-19s in full-time education.
• Over 60s.
• People (or partners of people) who receive certain benefits.
• Holders (or partners of holders) of an exemption certificate (HC2).
• People who need certain complex lenses.
• People diagnosed diabetic or with glaucoma.
• People aged 40 or over who are the brother, sister or child of a diagnosed glaucoma patient.

alanq

"As a patient you have a statutory right to take your prescription wherever you like for dispensing. You do not have to buy your spectacles or lenses from the same place you had your eyes examined. If a problem arises, however, it is often more difficult to resolve if you have separated prescribing and supply."

http://www.college-optometrists.org/en/laye/the_eye_examination/information_for_patients_taking_their_prescriptions_elsewhere.cfm

lilac_lady

Move to Scotland. Eye tests (and prescriptions) are free.

Savvy_Sue

The last few prescriptions we've picked up from Boots have had a £5 eye test voucher printed on the paper bag they've come in.

scotsbob

alanq wrote: »

" If a problem arises, however, it is often more difficult to resolve if you have separated prescribing and supply."

Nonsense, doctors and pharmacies work this way without any problems arising from separating prescribing and supply.

dzug1

scotsbob wrote: »

Nonsense, doctors and pharmacies work this way without any problems arising from separating prescribing and supply.

Scenario - eye test results are a bit iffy. There's a problem with the new glasses not being quite right

If you got them from the optician who did the test he will sort out the problem, most likely foc

If you got them from another optician he will say we've fulfulled the prescription, not our problem

missile

Why not get test done from the cut price place where you want to buy glasses?

Buying online may be a little cheaper but in my experience with selectspecs they take forever to deliver and you miss out on after sales service, like fitting frames to your face.

alanq

scotsbob wrote: »

Nonsense, doctors and pharmacies work this way without any problems arising from separating prescribing and supply.

I wear varifocals. The optometrist prescribes for distant and close vision. The dispensing optician measures distance between eyes and specifies where in the lens the distant part of the lens and the close part begins. On a couple of occasions this has not been quite right and I have refused to accept them. I would have had to point my head down to see the distance. I got the problem corrected no hassle other than a delay while the glasses were remade.

Unlike a pharmacist a dispensing optician's job is not usually a case of just taking an item matching your prescription off of a shelf and handing it to you.

Cacran

Thanks for all replies.
I fail to understand why people in Scotland get it free and we have to pay.
I can see that there could be a problem with glasses if you get your prescription the go to your own supplier for glasses. The reason I have done this in the past and am considering doing it again is because the optitians charge so much. I could keep my old frames but they charge about £30 extra on top of the lenses for that service. Last time I got some fitted into my own frames at a suppliers it only cost £25 for the lenses including having them put into my frames. Both me and my husband need eye tests, now and it can work out very expensive. Like many, we are on a tight budget so try to save where we can.

missile

Cacran wrote: »

I fail to understand why people in Scotland get it free and we have to pay. .

I would suggest it is swings and roundabouts. 156.5P a litre for unleaded in Shetland > http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2011/09/27/fuel-watchdog-may-investigate-isles-prices