Opticians and glasses – independent or chain? Eye tests?

[zed4]

Hi,

I broke the arm off my glasses at the weekend (knocked it off the sink onto the floor, can’t believe it broke!) and I’ve also misplaced my sunglasses, so it’s time I went to the opticians and got some new glasses and sunglasses.

I must admit, previously I’ve gone to Vision Express or Boots Opticians, had my eyes tested and bought some glasses, usually the buy one, get one free jobs. But is there more to it than that? Should I be shopping around the get a good deal? Are the chain places the best bet, or should I try an independent place? Do eye tests vary? Also, I drive with the roof off my car a lot, also I’m often on the water on boats, so would I benefit from polarised sunglasses?

What is the going rate for an eye test these days? I’ve just rang up one independent place and they wanted £40 for a 40 minute eye exam. Do eye tests vary from place to place?

Here are my local opticians I have to choose from:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=op...hrome&i...

So, I have the usual Specsavers, Boots, Vision Express, but also Hassan-Hicks and Glover and Hobbs.

Thanks,

Dan (with wobbly glasses)

[DKL]

Zed,
The first few bits really depend on you and your preferences. For some multiples just don't cut it and they like the independent method.
Your work is a good analogy - imagine if buying boats had the equivalent of Car Giant. Why would they come to you rather than going there?
Costs - shop around and ask for specific lens manufacturers not just a lens type so you know you are comparing like for like. The multiples may not be cheaper.
Decide what you want - do you want a second pair? If so the offers might be worth it but if not I imagine they would offer say 10% off the first pair.

If you need good prescription sunnies - Bolle (Marine Polarised) and Oakley do suitable ones to sail in - then a good deal may be had. Definitely polarised.

If you want to look online you're on your own!

I know the chap who owns this lot
http://www.ashleighsightcare.co.uk/
and he's a sensible sort who would do a good job. He's just signed up for the Fastnet too I believe. Nutter.

Edited by DKL on Monday 15th July 18:15

[anonymous-user]

Long post sorry but my experience.
I was very myopic, until I had replacement lenses as correction of my cataracts, and have other problems with my eyes, (stigmatism). Some years ago I detached a retina, spotted it very early and the surgeon, said it would be an easy fix, and asked how I spotted it so soon as I was in the specialist clinic about 36 hours earlier than normal. The answer was that my optician had told me I was susceptible to a detachment and had given me instructions as to what to do if I had certain symptoms, I also always. have a glaucoma check done as part of an eye test.
The once I went to vision express they wanted the ‘assistant’ to do the glaucoma test and then provided minimum time with the qualified optician, certainly not enough to brief you on potential problems. I left the test half way, (they actually didn’t charge me as they were happy to see me go from their shop when I complained about the lack of time allocated to the examination) and went back to an independent.
My advice is if all you need is a very simple test for a minimal correction of vision due to aging, the chain may be OK for you, but if you think you have a serious defect in your vision, or for the first test on children go to a good independent and pay the fee it is worth the money.