Optician - Evesham/Cheltenham/Tewkesbury area any recommendations?

[bizzylizzy]

Hello everyone
My hubby wants to book an eye test. Can anyone recommend a good optician in the Evesham/Cheltenham/Tewkesbury area please? He went to a branch of Boots in Somerset when we lived there, last time and wasn't impressed. One of their testing machines was broken and they seemed keener to sell him the specs than do the test properly. The time before he went to a family run opticians in Bristol when we lived there. They put the lenses the wrong way round in his glasses which made him feel quite ill. So I guess what I'm saying is, has anyone been to a really thorough opticians who actually worry about getting the eye test right and not just flogging the glasses. Thank you.

[pond50]

i go to dolland and aitchinson for an eye test but get my specs from glasses direct far more cheaper

[sophie_1003]

The Boots I went to was pretty bad too, went to Specsavers for my most recent eye test (although that was 18 months back) and they were quite good, although they did push the more expensive frames but once I'd made it clear I wasn't going to go over my budget they were still helpful

[stonekicker]

go to dolland and aitchison - they do the most thorough exam on the market. if you go onto their website, you can also download a 1/2 price eye test voucher (if you have to pay - will cost £13 instead of £27). the go online at eye experts or another cheap similar site (be prepared do do some window shopping or extreme measuring to get things right) and you can get a really cheap pair of glasses. mine cost £18.95 with anti-scrath, anti-reflective and uv coatings free - all of which can costs £20+ on some sites, so be wary. but it is possible to get cheap, functional and lovely glasses online. well recommended x

[masma]

Don't go to Specsavers in Gloucester they're always too busy, try Stroud instead. Very helpful.

[york310]

Saying that Dolland & Aitchison do the most thorough eye exams is untrue, unless of course the same 'thorough' optometrist performs in every branch of thiers and they spend all day examining one patient. You could have a great optometrist that works in one D&A and a por one in another. Then to comment saying how to get a 'cheap' thorough eye test is also silly as the offer is there to get you in the place not a promotion of the quality of the exam.

Most eye examinations take approximately 25 minutes although in some of the bigger brands such as Boots or Specsavers some of this time is taken up by a pre-test carried out by trained assistants. These assistants and the dispensing staff are generally regularly trained to keep the standards up because most stores will do internal mystery shops to ensure standards are maintained. What the original poster was requesting was someone who was thorough so what I would recommend if you cannot get local recommendations is to phone opticians and ask them their testing times and whether they use employed optometrists or use locums who are paid to come in by the day. An employed optometrist is one, that if you are happy with, you may be able to return to. In the big named stores they may have more than one optometrist and you could easily ask to see the one with the most experience.You could also look for a place which keeps up to date with modern technology wiith retinal cameras - some places charge for this whilst others don't.

With regards to internet specs there is a limitation to what can be dispensed online. For example varifocals and bifocals are very difficult to measure up but for standard distance or reading it's not bad but not ideal.

I

[stonekicker]

york- my comment about dolland and aitchison still stands. their eye exams last about an hour and are very thorouogh - the most in fact, in my experience. having been to an independent optician with my son who said he did not need glasses, i took him to d+a a month later due to headaches at college from the lights and when studying. they picked up the same prescription and were amazed that nothing had been done. having been to specsavers and boots (in different places), thet treat you like you are on a conveyer belt and customer service is lacking. my point about getting a cheap eye test is also valid. why pay £27 when you can pay £13? i found your reply rude and insulting - my information was for bizzylizzy, not you and i'm sure she can make up her own mind from everybody's replies - and not just yours.

[york310]

Stonekicker - I apologise if you thought my post was rude although there is a large difference in saying D&A do the most thorough examinations compared to saying that they do the most thorough ones in your opinion.

Also this is like saying that Toni&Guy do the best haircuts even though there will be differences in the level of experience and quality within the same store never mind the differences between the stylists in all their facilities across the country.

In my opinion, having worked in the optical profession for many years, the quality of the eye examination is determined by the practitioner and not the practice/multiple itself. But hey ho, it's just my opinion .

By the way D&A doesnt technically exist anymore as it was bought out by Boots a few months ago.