Opticians - what do you recommend?

podperson

Purely from personal experience I've tended to find that the smaller local opticians will take more time with you and the service tends to be quite good, but they often use older equipment or more traditional methods - whereas in the big stores the service often isn't as great, you can also be given the initial 'health' checks by a customer service 'technician' rather then the actual optician.
However, they do tend to have the newest machines and methods - which I think is often how they can get away with 'passing' some things off on less qualified members of staff as more of the work is done by technological methods rather then training (eg a machine that will take a picture of the back of your eye rather then the optician checking it himself for issues there).
I suppose it's personal preference really. Also, as mentioned above don't be afraid to just ask for your prescription and go at the end of it - I always do this so I can shop around and while I've had a few of them pull their face at me they do have to give it you.

System

I have been going to Dollond & Aitchison (now Boots) for a few years and I'm quite happy with them. It's always an optician that you get to see, not just a technician and I usually get the same person, too, so I feel there's some continuity of care.

Katiehound

I've been using Specsavers for some years (an independent & D&H prior to that) and I have found them to be excellent.
I think it was the technician who took the photos but I was pleased when the optometrist showed me the optic nerve in the photos and said it was fine as I can not cope with the 'puff of air 'test due to eye injuries. So in my case more modern methods worked better

kiss_me_now9

I have a bit of a vested interest as my BF works for one of the major 'chains' and my sister is a manager in another so I won't recommend one either way - ask people you know around your town who they use.

It really is personal to your area I think, I use the chain that my sister is employed in *in her town* only as the one here is pants - if I have to go here, I go to the one my BF works for.

You are entirely free to shop around once you have a prescription, but you will probably find that you get a discount in some way if you buy your glasses in the same store.

wallbash

Another fan of Specsavers , but each branch is only as good as its staff, as are all other similar establishments.
Do they spend less time with you??? could well be true , every-time I go , there seems a new 'toy'. ( I also hate the one with the puff of air) but the photo is great. More toys. more info , which is good so they need less?? human interaction.

So to repeat what others have said , the test is always done by experts , then you have the choice to meet the sales staff.

Ps , I always go for what I think is the best with most of the options and NEVER worry about the cost , not MSE , but my eyesight is priceless.

pmduk

wallbash wrote: »

but the photo is great. More toys. more info , which is good so they need less?? human interaction.

Retinal photography is great, particularly if you have an eye condition, it means that the state of the eye can be compared over a period. Presumably it can also be used as a diagnostic tool, although my glaucoma was diagnosed the old-fashioned way.

rockie4

Are you near a university town? You can quite often get a really thorough eye test at a uni optometry department, done by students but under supervision and it's usually free.

busiscoming2

I've used D&A and they were good. Found Boots and Specsavers to be not good. Have used Tesco most recently and found them to be brilliant and friendly.

PaulJM

Just to close off my side of the story here - thanks so much to everyone that's replied.
Decided to go to specsavers in stockport, as it was local, got seen quickly, loads of tests done on some very funky equipment, and 20 mins with an optician, as well as the technicians doing their bit.
Good consultation, and no eye issues, even showed the back of the eye photo, which was good. Loads of tests done too.
She said it was a tiny prescription, and even said I might want to see how artificial tears work first, and come back in a few week weeks if I want to get some glasses ( thinks the issue is VDU use)
Took into account my worries over familial glaucoma and chlroesterol (sp), and spent extra time rummaging about ( not literally)
No sales, asked if I wanted to have a look, I said I'd wait, and she thanked me and the day continued. I walked out happy with their service and professionalism, and will prob go back for the specs, if I decide to.


Oh, but I didn't like the puff of air thing, it nearly blew my head off, but I am a big soft git.

System

I find using a computer screen affects my eyes, too. I get tired eyes, and redness. I was advised that we often don't blink much when we look at a screen, so it could be dry eyes.