Specsavers Ruislip – VDU Voucher Scheme Feels Like a Scam

wobble_wobble

I want to flag an incredibly frustrating and frankly shady experience I’ve had with Specsavers in Ruislip, and see if anyone else has been through something similar.

Last year, I had an eye test there through my company’s eye care scheme – you know, the vouchers meant for glasses used when working on screens (VDU use). (These vouchers are issued by Specsavers). I got my prescription glasses, paid the difference, and the optician even noted on the prescription that they were for VDU use. I was told I wouldn’t need another eye test for two years.

Less than a year later, I noticed a decline in my vision, especially when using my laptop or monitor. I went back for another eye test – turns out I needed a new prescription. So far, so good. But then they refused to let me use another voucher for glasses provided to me by my company issued by Specsavers again,  claiming the new prescription was for “near use” and not “VDU use.”

When I pointed out that my laptop is obviously a screen at a near distance, and that I’d been issued VDU glasses before for the exact same purpose, they basically started gaslighting me – insisting that I don’t need glasses for VDU use. Despite the fact that my previous prescription clearly stated it was for VDU use. And right now, I literally cannot read anything on my screen without the right glasses.

So which is it? Were they wrong last year, or are they just contradicting themselves now to avoid honouring the voucher? Are they employing incompetent staff, or is this just a sneaky way to push customers into paying out of pocket?

It honestly feels like a deliberate tactic to squeeze more money from people. If glasses help me see my screen, they’re for screen use. Trying to split hairs between “near” and “VDU” is cheeky and scammy.

Has anyone else dealt with this kind of nonsense?

General_Grant

Did you use the DSE prescription to read when not using a VDU?

LightFlare

wobble_wobble said:

I want to flag an incredibly frustrating and frankly shady experience I’ve had with Specsavers in Ruislip, and see if anyone else has been through something similar.

Last year, I had an eye test there through my company’s eye care scheme – you know, the vouchers meant for glasses used when working on screens (VDU use). (These vouchers are issued by Specsavers). I got my prescription glasses, paid the difference, and the optician even noted on the prescription that they were for VDU use. I was told I wouldn’t need another eye test for two years.

Less than a year later, I noticed a decline in my vision, especially when using my laptop or monitor. I went back for another eye test – turns out I needed a new prescription. So far, so good. But then they refused to let me use another voucher for glasses provided to me by my company issued by Specsavers again,  claiming the new prescription was for “near use” and not “VDU use.”

When I pointed out that my laptop is obviously a screen at a near distance, and that I’d been issued VDU glasses before for the exact same purpose, they basically started gaslighting me – insisting that I don’t need glasses for VDU use. Despite the fact that my previous prescription clearly stated it was for VDU use. And right now, I literally cannot read anything on my screen without the right glasses.

So which is it? Were they wrong last year, or are they just contradicting themselves now to avoid honouring the voucher? Are they employing incompetent staff, or is this just a sneaky way to push customers into paying out of pocket?

It honestly feels like a deliberate tactic to squeeze more money from people. If glasses help me see my screen, they’re for screen use. Trying to split hairs between “near” and “VDU” is cheeky and scammy.

Has anyone else dealt with this kind of nonsense?

 Not at all - they are totally different (or should be) distances

 Depending on your actual prescription - have you tried any of the “off the shelf” glasses that are available ?

GingerTim

I can't speak for your scheme or their reasoning, but are you allowed to use another voucher within twelve months of the previous one? My employer doesnt permit this.

prowla

Employers are required to contribute towards VDU glasses, but not reading ones; therefore the opticians are right in refusing to accept it for reading glasses.

However, it seems to me that they've given you the wrong prescription.

You have to make it clear that you are needing glasses for VDU use - no questions, no ifs, no buts.

I have three separate prescriptions: distance, reading, and VDU; they are not interchangeable.

Distance is for driving, VDU is for a screen just over arms-length away, and resding is holding a book or tablet computer.

From my experience it is possible that your eyes adapt to the glasses, so things may change after the first set.

However, I've just had my two-year test and the optician said there had been very little change since the last one.

My employer is in a scheme which includes an annual allowance; I tend to have my test towards in the last month of each 2nd year so that I can use that year's voucher and then the next's in the 1st month of its.

My optician's (Boots) allow you to return glasses withing a month(?) if they are not suitable; does yours?

Okell

LightFlare said:

wobble_wobble said:

I want to flag an incredibly frustrating and frankly shady experience I’ve had with Specsavers in Ruislip, and see if anyone else has been through something similar.

Last year, I had an eye test there through my company’s eye care scheme – you know, the vouchers meant for glasses used when working on screens (VDU use). (These vouchers are issued by Specsavers). I got my prescription glasses, paid the difference, and the optician even noted on the prescription that they were for VDU use. I was told I wouldn’t need another eye test for two years.

Less than a year later, I noticed a decline in my vision, especially when using my laptop or monitor. I went back for another eye test – turns out I needed a new prescription. So far, so good. But then they refused to let me use another voucher for glasses provided to me by my company issued by Specsavers again,  claiming the new prescription was for “near use” and not “VDU use.”

When I pointed out that my laptop is obviously a screen at a near distance, and that I’d been issued VDU glasses before for the exact same purpose, they basically started gaslighting me – insisting that I don’t need glasses for VDU use. Despite the fact that my previous prescription clearly stated it was for VDU use. And right now, I literally cannot read anything on my screen without the right glasses.

So which is it? Were they wrong last year, or are they just contradicting themselves now to avoid honouring the voucher? Are they employing incompetent staff, or is this just a sneaky way to push customers into paying out of pocket?

It honestly feels like a deliberate tactic to squeeze more money from people. If glasses help me see my screen, they’re for screen use. Trying to split hairs between “near” and “VDU” is cheeky and scammy.

Has anyone else dealt with this kind of nonsense?

 Not at all - they are totally different (or should be) distances

 Depending on your actual prescription - have you tried any of the “off the shelf” glasses that are available ?

This ^

Near distance (or reading) glasses are not the same as for VDU use.

I'm retired now but when I was working in the NHS I had three different pairs of glasses.  Long distance, reading, and for VDU use.  I used a desktop computer and the screen was about 2' 6" - 3' away from me - much further than reading distance which I would guess at about 12" - 18".

Reading glasses would not allow me to see the VDU clearly, and my VDU glasses would not allow me to read without difficulty.  I couldn't find a happy medium.

Now I'm retired and use a laptop (the screen much closer than a desktop but not as close as reading distance) I still use one pair of glasses for reading and a different pair for laptop use.  But both pairs are supermarket "off the peg" specs and I'm not having to pay for prescription specs.

I don't think SpecSavers are doing anything shady.  The specs you got by voucher are for VDU use, not for reading or close distance

sheramber

My husband had good near vision but had specs for VDU use and specs for distance.

He did not need specs to use his phone or laptop. 

Specsavers voucher scheme is their scheme, their rules . If their scheme does not cover laptops then  you cannot use the voucher scheme for laptop use.

If you use a laptop for work then you need to refer back to your employer for  cover for it.

My employer did not use a specific optician . We  chose out own one to use. 

bluecarlady

Hello Wobble wobble, my hubby just got back from an incredibly frustrating trip to Specsavers with his £50 VDU prescription voucher.

He does not have a straightforward prescription to start with.

Needs thinned lenses or he ends up with a pair of "bottletops" as he calls them.

By the time he adds thinning for £60_£100 depending on Stage 1 or 2 thin, progressives for £80 it was just not worth the risk.

He is going back to his tried and tested Optician for Rodenstock lenses instead.

Not a satisfied customer.

lincroft1710

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81913349#Comment_81913349

Wobble wobble last logged on to the forum 10 months ago

eskbanker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81913349#Comment_81913349

Re "it was just not worth the risk", what specifically is the risk he's referring to? It's difficult to understand why he's not satisfied from what you've posted - did he believe that the basic £50 entitled him to additional specialist features and/or is he challenging their interpretation of the voucher's Ts & Cs?

Alderbank

Specsavers corporate DSE/VDU voucher provides:

A comprehensive eye test to assess vision and eye health.

If glasses are required solely for DSE/VDU use, the voucher provides one complete pair of glasses from the £50 range, fitted with standard single vision lenses plus a scratch-resistant treatment.

It does not give a contribution to glasses needed for additional tasks such as reading or driving.

Additionally, the £50 contribution can be used towards an upgrade to other higher priced frame ranges, when required solely for VDU DSE use and either employer or employee can pay the difference.

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/corporate/vdu-eyecare?srsltid=AfmBOopvfWC6TD5CW8lzxaV3_QpX27Auw6MZTJpZEFTT45YGN7ZuPGH5

That (in most cases) is sufficient for the employer to meet their duties under the DSE regulations.