Specsavers

shygirl65

I recently went to Specsavers for an eye test and was told I would need either two pairs of glasses for distance and reading or a pair of bifocals, which I have never had before. The optician said to try out the bifocals, which are more expensive.

My problem is that I only went for the eye test because I wanted a new pair of specs as my old ones were damaged and I wanted a change. I can see perfectly clear out of my old glasses without having to change to any reading glasses.

I asked the optician if she could instead supply me with my old prescription seeing as though the worn out glasses were still perfect for me, but was told that my eyes would deteriorate if I was to carry on wearing glasses with an old prescription and that she wouldn't be doing her job properly if she allowed me to have some glasses made up from my old prescription. I beg to differ. I feel like I'm being fobbed off with bifocals just to make more money out of me.

Basically Why do I need 2 sets of glasses or bifocals if my old glasses are a perfect all-rounder? They have details of my old prescription but won't supply it to me. Is it true that if I carry on with old prescription that I will ruin my eyes? Can I by rights acquire details of my old prescription?

Thanks in advance for your help.

rach_k

Was your old prescription for distance and they didn't feel you needed them for reading? Why not just get the distance ones in the new prescription? That's what I did, the first time it was suggested that I had both, and they were happy with that. The next time I went back they didn't even suggest two pairs. If you find reading hard you can always go back and get a cheap second pair later.

Pop_Up_Pirate

shygirl65 wrote: »

I recently went to Specsavers for an eye test and was told I would need either two pairs of glasses for distance and reading or a pair of bifocals, which I have never had before. The optician said to try out the bifocals, which are more expensive.

My problem is that I only went for the eye test because I wanted a new pair of specs as my old ones were damaged and I wanted a change. I can see perfectly clear out of my old glasses without having to change to any reading glasses.

I asked the optician if she could instead supply me with my old prescription seeing as though the worn out glasses were still perfect for me, but was told that my eyes would deteriorate if I was to carry on wearing glasses with an old prescription and that she wouldn't be doing her job properly if she allowed me to have some glasses made up from my old prescription. I beg to differ. I feel like I'm being fobbed off with bifocals just to make more money out of me.

Basically Why do I need 2 sets of glasses or bifocals if my old glasses are a perfect all-rounder? They have details of my old prescription but won't supply it to me. Is it true that if I carry on with old prescription that I will ruin my eyes? Can I by rights acquire details of my old prescription?

Thanks in advance for your help.

You have a choice.
Get 1 or 2 pairs of glasses, one for distance, one for reading.
OR
Get varifocials/bifocals.

You don't have to get the varifocals/bifocals.

But, eyesight changes when you get older meaning you need different glasses for long distance and reading.
Although I can still read with my distance glasses, I know its not ideal as it puts a strain on the brain.

Go back to Specsavvers and ask for your new distance prescription made up into one pair of glasses and tell them you will get the reading ones at a later date if you feel the need.

pollypenny

Your optometrist is a professional, whose integrity would be lost if she prescribed something you didn't need.

I've found my local Specsavers very good. A few years ago I was told that there was a minimal difference in my results and my existing glasses would be fine if that what I wanted.

Ilona

You say you've just had an eye test, so you have a new prescription. You don't have to buy specs from Specsavers, you can ask for your prescription and take it to any other optician to have new glasses made up.

You want one pair of glasses, you don't have to have a second pair, nor do you have to have bifocals, if you don't want them.

A prescription has a life, not sure what it is, two years maybe, so they are reluctant to use an old prescription. If you stay with Specsavers tell them you want one pair of specs with the new prescription.

Ilona

kirtondm

Just get somewhere else to make up a copy of your old specs - An optometrist or dispensing optican can sign off any prescription irrespective of date.

unless you are illegal to drive with your old prescirption their is no reason not to use it if you are happy with your vision. in adults wearing the wrong prescription won't change your vision worst that will happen is you get a head ache.

I gurantee if you have the new rx made up for distance in SV you will hate it as you won't be able to read.

I have plenty of px who happily wander around in a 'compromise' pair.

While your optomertist is technically correct in you distance and near vision could both be better experinece suggests unless a danger not to change someone who is happy with the current set up

shygirl65

Thank you very much for all your replies. They have been a great help. I am going to get in touch with Specsavers and sort it out.

teddysmum

I use Specsavers for retinopathy testing and my sight test, always asking for the practice owner, as she helped me with a sight problem needing hospital referral.


Last week, I mentioned that I hate reading glasses ,as it's annoying to have to keep on changing and I have been known to leave home then realise I'm wearing the wrong ones.


She said it was fine to do what I do anyway, which is read or use my laptop without glasses and peep over the top of my distance glasses when needing to read a label while shopping .

suki1964

So none of us know your age, what's happening with your eyesight nor why you need glasses

I went into varifocals in my early 30's Without having them I can't drive

But before that, having to change glasses all the time was doing my head in

Varifocals have made my life easier.

I've only had one naff pair from specsavers in all these years. They changed suppliers who went for a flatter lense then I was used to. They sorted it writhing a fortnight. Can't say I love vari focals but at least I can see clearly

TheMsTeal

Specsavers are crap; I wonder if a lot of them are really trained. I decided to give them one last chance this week but the foreign one who saw me could barely speak English and was like a robot. Never again.

Pollycat

TheMsTeal wrote: »

Specsavers are crap; I wonder if a lot of them are really trained. I decided to give them one last chance this week but the foreign one who saw me could barely speak English and was like a robot. Never again.

I know this is an old thread that you've re-lifed (March 2017) but just wanted to say I've just had my very first pair of glasses (well, 2 pairs of readers plus a pair of prescription sunglasses) from Specsavers and I was very impressed with the service I received from everyone there.
The girl who helped me choose my frames was very good.
The only negative thing I would say was they were giving me ordinary Specsavers cases instead of the designer ones until I pointed it out.