Eye test cost differences

outlier

Hello

I have questions about eye tests. I'm looking for a change from the well known high street branches and have found some independent opticians in my area. However, the costs vary from £15 to £85. Does anyone know if these expensive eye tests are any good? I'm confused as to why one is so expensive as they don't seem to do anything differently apart from their branding which looks more impressive.

If anyone has any experience of an expensive eye test, could you let me know if it is worth the money? I don't mind paying the higher price as i have a high prescription and want good eyecare.

Thanks

kirtondm

some useful questions

1) Who will perform the eye examination will they be fully qualified or pre-registration.
2) How long is allowed for the optometrist appointment ( 15mins -45mins? )
3) . What is included OCT , retinal photos etc.

A very cheap eye exam ( free or £15 even the NHS pays £21!) is a loss leader so I would expect more pressure to be told you need specs.

I would expect an £85 test to be carried out by an expreinced optometrist possibly with extra qualifications? with probably an hour allocated?

I would go with personal recommendation

GlasweJen

An hour? What the hell are they doing? I take it down south the optom does their own visual fields, OCTs and IOPs are done in the test room by contact?

A Scottish eye test (something like 95% of eye test in Scotland are nhs funded, most of the rest are funded by employers for things like dvla standards) takes 30 minutes, 20 minutes of optom time. Fields and photographs are done by the shop floor team in most set ups and IOPs are by non contact tonometry in most cases unless contact is a requirement. In most places where I worked we had one Perkins that was swapped about. Gonioscopy was done at the hospital, pachymetry was mostly hospital as well - I think one place where I did locum work had a pach pen.

I can't think of any good reason why an experienced optom would need an hour to test a healthy set of eyes. Don't get me wrong I've met a "type" who would love an hour of a professionals time and I've had days where I've ran over because a routine eye test has turned into a nightmare ending in a hospital referral but for a routine test an hour is overkill. No wonder independents are dying. How can you make money on a one hour sight test?

pmduk

Actually, IME most tests in England are undertaken the same way.

Glad

There is an MSE article on the main site that may be of interest

Free Eye Tests
Incl Specsavers & Optical Express
LAST UPDATED: 5 JUN 2018

lofielectronic

I'd ask the company charging £85 why they are so much more expensive than most others.


I think I've generally paid £10-15 in the past and more recently have just waited for free vouchers from one of the companies in the post above.


Must admit though the last two tests I've had at Specsavers have felt a little rushed, two of us in one room doing the one test last time which was a little distracting, but I suppose you get what you pay for. Maybe the £85 one includes lunch and a drink

sstevo19

I had a £10 eye test at Vision Express a few months ago, and it was about 30 minutes long, if remember correctly, might have been just over 30 minutes. Mine didn't feel rushed, and I wasn't pressured into buying any glasses, but I did buy some that day, as I needed them (first time having to need glasses).

PixelPound

Just had a free eyetest at Boots, using a voucher they have (on offer until end of June). Very thorough, taking onboard my family history. No pressure to sell (they asked was I looking to get glasses today, and when I said no, my prescription was given and they simply stated if I did come back I didn't need to bring the prescription as it was on file, no pressure, no uncomfortable selling).

Eye tests can vary as it depends on the set up, but Boots are usually top notch - and free with a voucher can't be sneezed at.

kirtondm

don't get me wrong I don't test in an hour either but if I was paying £85 I would be expecting more time allocated!.

I test 30mins ( of my time ) and charge £35 I do my own GAT pressures on everyone and dilate often. I tend to attract 2nd opinions and more 'complicated' patients. I focimiter and mark up all the specs myself.

I think the better funded scottish system is a very good way to ensure a decent standard of NHS testing.

DCFC79

nic_c wrote: »

Eye tests can vary as it depends on the set up, but Boots are usually top notch - and free with a voucher can't be sneezed at.

Tesco Opticians was the same too, used a couple of voucher for a free eye test.

pmduk

DCFC79 wrote: »

Tesco Opticians was the same too, used a couple of voucher for a free eye test.

This is how different branches can vary immensely, the one time I used a Tesco optician the test was rushed and, I felt was incomplete, with no questions asked about my use of current glasses. I wouldn't go back if I was paid, (even if they did still exist!)