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I had an eye test today at a high street optician who continually seemed to mention new "issues" that previous eye tests have not detected. E.g., hereditary glaucoma risks, deep vein (or something) in the back of my eye, a proliferation of floaters, etc. There was an obvious (and expected) sell throughout about new lenses "because of a three ? step change", new frames, polarising prescription sunglasses, yearly tests, insurance, etc, etc.
The sales pitch went swiftly to the assumption that I would buy all these things there and then and the assistant was quite perturbed when I simply asked for my prescription so I could leave.
I'm 62 so the test was NHS funded but I felt the overt sales tone and well-rehearsed script caused me to doubt the eye test examination, results and recommendations as they all seem to lead to a "be scared - must buy" scenario. My last eye test two years ago had not detected any abnormalities or need for urgency and I don't feel my vision or eye health has changed significantly. Obviously the "issues" might be new and valid but I felt processed by salesmen not vision professionals, which led to my doubt.
So, question is, as it was a NHS funded eye test can I go elsewhere and have it redone? I hate to waste NHS money but I double the integrity of the company I saw today.
Originally posted by tgon
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There have been changes to the NICE guidelines in the last year which mean that things that wouldn't previously have been highlighted during an eye test now must be mentioned and things that were previously just to be recorded in notes should be referred to hospital
eye service. Frankly some of it is a nonsense but it is what it is.
Everyone should be wearing decent UV protection for the eye, I'd say you wouldn't go out without sunscreen on but in the UK most people do and then we wonder why we're worse than Australia for skin cancers. We have shocking rates of macula disease in the UK as well and our blase attitude to wearing decent sunglasses is a huge factor (that and the cigarettes but smokers insist it doesn't do them harm as the nurse practitioner hovers over with eylea number 14 at the ready, that's another story).
The NHS won't fund another eye test, why would they? You chose your optometrist and they'll be paid in due course having carried out the work to the contract. You can choose to pay for another but you'll probably find it's a repeat of the same rigmarole and it's all to do with the NICE guidelines and possibly a clash of personalities and possibly a corporate policy to ensure those guidelines are adhered to in any mystery visits by mystery visiting health professionals spot checking their premesis.
You could always write to the manager to feed back your concerns, it won't get you another free eye test though.
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NOT BUYING IT
(unless it's on offer and can get my loyalty points)