Row at the Opticians!

587 Posts

I had a heated row at the opticians yesterday after having my eye test, I always have my eye test and buy glasses however i was planning to do this with contact lenses just to give me an extra option and see if it was better because I'm fed up of my specs steaming up.
Before starting the contact lens test the optician asked me to sign up to a scheme to receive my contacts monthly and i kindly replied no thanks i will buy some today but i don't want to commit to regular purchases at this stage as they would be for occasional use however, She then told me to leave and told them to cancel the contact lens test and told me good luck, stay safe and goodbye.
Does anybody know if this is the case across the board, i know you have the option to take your prescription with glasses but not with contacts, i like to buy at the optician to help them as a one off for the test but being tied in to a long contract when you know you can probably get them cheaper elsewhere seems like good business for them and terrible for the consumer.
I have seen some evidence that it is possible to cancel these schemes so i wonder if i made a mistake and should of signed up and cancelled after, if everybody was unable to cancel how on earth do other sellers on Amazon ever sell any lenses with everyone tied up in contracts.
Anyone have experience of this game?.
Before starting the contact lens test the optician asked me to sign up to a scheme to receive my contacts monthly and i kindly replied no thanks i will buy some today but i don't want to commit to regular purchases at this stage as they would be for occasional use however, She then told me to leave and told them to cancel the contact lens test and told me good luck, stay safe and goodbye.
Does anybody know if this is the case across the board, i know you have the option to take your prescription with glasses but not with contacts, i like to buy at the optician to help them as a one off for the test but being tied in to a long contract when you know you can probably get them cheaper elsewhere seems like good business for them and terrible for the consumer.
I have seen some evidence that it is possible to cancel these schemes so i wonder if i made a mistake and should of signed up and cancelled after, if everybody was unable to cancel how on earth do other sellers on Amazon ever sell any lenses with everyone tied up in contracts.
Anyone have experience of this game?.
Enjoy everyday like it's your last!
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Lewis Carroll
Assuming you are correct, what information are they legally obliged to include in the prescription? As we know, with glasses the patient's PD is not part of the prescription and many opticians won't disclose it. With contact lenses there are quite a number of of measurements to do with the physical fit as opposed to the optical properties of the lenses. If they are not obliged to include that information it makes the prescription almost worthless.
I normally charge a one of fitting fee to cover all appointments up to the point we have established the prescription. This is then refundable if you choose to join our eyeplan scheme. Most join but more than happy if people want to get lenses elsewhere we make little margin on contact lenses. I have some people join a lower scheme which just covers them for appointments and then they sort the lenses out themselves.
For infromation at the end of a fitting a prescription legally has to be supplied enabling the lenses to be replicated so must include all the paramenters such as base curve etc. Some opticians try and get round this by claiming the fitting is not complete until you have ordered at least 6/12 of lenses. Personally I don't think that would stand up in court as if you have a prescription you are happy to order 6 monthes of lenses from it is to all intents and purposes complete.
I now have extended wear contacts that I just change every week, and it cannot tell you how amazing it is to see from when I wake up until I go to sleep, and no steamed up glasses either!