Optitions

[Tinky-Tia]

Please help, can anyone advise me on who would give the best eye examination and best range of glasses preferbly between vision express, Boots opticians or specsavers. Your help would be appreciated as i know it sounds silly but i'm afraid of the opticians (weird i know) so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[andy-hughes]

I've had tests and prexcriptions from Vision Express and Boots. I've had a look in Specsavers, but wasn't impressed with their frame range.

Of the other two, i would reccomend Boots. It's not silly to be afraid - just let them know in advance, so they can take their time and allow you to relax.

If you haven't had an eye test before, the only slightly odd bit is the glaucoma test. You rest your chin on a small rest, and a little jet of air blows onto your eyeball. It doesn't hurt at all, it will just make you blink, and that's the only thing to be prepared for - just relax and it's fine.

The test itself is interesting, and you'll find your worries are unfounded. If you want to ask any more, please re-post.

Good luck.

[Gevs1966]

I wouldn't recommend going to any high street opticians. They are basically shops and not medical practices and are therefore there to sell you glasses to make money and not to look after the health of your eyes. There have been lots of cases citing high street opticians where people were prescribed glasses they didn't really need.

Seek an independent opticians to get a proper examination done, and try not to worry as the tests are nothing to be apprehensive about. Good Luck

[VINNY100_2]

Hi Tinky. If you want,you can just get an eye test,and then ask for the presciption and go to this site where glasses are much cheaper.(:)

here

[woofgang]

I go to specsavers, have never been prescribed what I don't need (didn't have new glasses last time, only got them this time because mine are knacked). I looked at vision express because they are faster at making up but they seem to be much dearer for the same thing. My mum uses Boots and is pleased with them. Originally I went to our local private optician but the choice of frames was much more limited and way dearer. Do you know anyone who wears glasses who could advise you locally?

[sammd]

I agree with Gevs1966, local opticians are so much better. They don't rip you off and the staff usually own part of the business so they value their customers more. I've also found the opticians have higher qualifications.

I went to Boots once and their service was appauling. The optician didn't seem to know what she was doing and then tried to make me buy a brand new pair of designer glasses for �200 when all i needed was some replacement lenses. My local opticians just replaces my lenses when they're needed for around �40. It may just have been my local Boots but they didn't seem bothered about being friendly to their customers.

[Tinky-Tia]

Thanks everyone especially andy, i'll have a look round and hopefully pluck up the courage to book a test!!, thanks again

[gessoo]

Make sure you get your eyes tested by a qualified optomestrist as opposed to an optician. Most local opticians practices are also optomestrists. As far as I know Specsavers are just optricians. I may be wrong here.

[cazxx1]

tia ...how did you get on im just like you scared stiff of having my eyes tested i have glasses and i know i need new ones but i am just too scared to go back how weired i thought it was only me x

[Tinky-Tia]

Hi caz, yeah i ended up going to Dolland and Aitchinson and they was really good. As soon as i got in there i told then that i had a bizzare fear of going to the optician and they said i wasn't the only one, as many people have a fear of opticians as they do dentists!!!. He made me feel really at ease and explained everything he was doing. I now have glasses for reading and i feel so much better. Go to them caz and if i was alright then you will be too, let me know how you get on. Mel x