Opticians

[jts1882]

I can see both sides of the argument.

If someone has paid fair market price for an eye-test then they should be entitled to the results of that test. I suspect part of the problem is that the cost of the test is being subsidised by the profits from the sale of glasses etc. If you separate the two parts of the business then the costs of the test will go up.

There is also the general health issue. If we are to get quality eye tests we need somewhere to get them. The costs have to cover the premises and the training of the people involved. If everyone switches to the internet and/or some of the bargain tests (which skip the health checks) we will end up without this service or it will have to be something transferred fully to the NHS.

 

[DHSF]

Dont work places give eye tests anyways? I get free eye tests annually.

You can then get discounts through corporate discounts etc.

 

[spursman17]

I can see both sides of the argument.

If someone has paid fair market price for an eye-test then they should be entitled to the results of that test. I suspect part of the problem is that the cost of the test is being subsidised by the profits from the sale of glasses etc. If you separate the two parts of the business then the costs of the test will go up.

There is also the general health issue. If we are to get quality eye tests we need somewhere to get them. The costs have to cover the premises and the training of the people involved. If everyone switches to the internet and/or some of the bargain tests (which skip the health checks) we will end up without this service or it will have to be something transferred fully to the NHS.

I do not disagree with eyetest's and I think they are a good thing and encourage people to go for one at least once every two years.

Transfering the service to the NHS is not needed as many big companies provide a service on a huge national scale. Specsavers and Vision Express as examples.

Internet sales will however (and have already have) destroy/ed the independant small business optician. It's not nice to see/hear but that's business and the same has already happened to many butchers, groceries and other trades.

Do you shop at one of the big four supermarkets or do you still use a local grocer/butcher? Similar concept.

 

[Leeds Spur]

Thanks Dometop.

You got me worried regarding the move from 2 to 5 on the eyes, say you got 1000 customers, how many does that happen too. Is the Optician able to spot diabeties through an eye test. The lady that did the test said she was pleased with the health of my eyes. If not, I'll make an appointment to the lcoal GP first thing monday.

So is my situation common then with someone that has a lazy eye or squint. Is it not possible for me to retrain the eye in order to make the brain take in the image better.

I see more and more people of my age wearing teeth metalwork, would it be the same for me and my left eye where I simply spend more time as I did as a kid with an eye patch, or is the problem to engrained in my brain to make any difference now. I can wear a patch when Arsenal are on the tele, I would only keep one eye on the game anyway... boom boom.


Another question, why does the lazy eye/squint correct itself when I wear glasses or contacts.

Is it practice to not even try to get a presciption on such an eye even if say a -20 lens is used. (is that lens even possible)

Is this why I struggle with 3D, my brain is basically finding it difficult to scramble with the blue red result.


I totally agree about what you say about using the highstreet over internet, for me this past couple of months its like a light switch coming on. I now find myself wanting to reward those that pay back to society. I bet these online places are taking the orders in luxemnbourg, being built here and paying no tax as well.

Definitely too much tossing!!

I had a old prescription made as I had new glasses that made me feel dizzy and about 10 feet tall!!

Laser is the wy to go, I think I'll take the plunge next year. I'm around –2 in each eye but with quite a High astigmatism.

 

[Leeds Spur]

Dont work places give eye tests anyways? I get free eye tests annually.

You can then get discounts through corporate discounts etc.

Not standard

 

[spursman17]

Definitely too much tossing!!

I had a old prescription made as I had new glasses that made me feel dizzy and about 10 feet tall!!

Laser is the wy to go, I think I'll take the plunge next year. I'm around –2 in each eye but with quite a High astigmatism.

I thought the same but my concern with laser is the long term effects and that it can not be reversed. My friend now has dry eyes after the procedure but there is definitely far more good outcomes than bad I suppose.

I think I'm going to go for Intra Ocular Lens implants, similar to cataract surgery but the new lens is made to your requirements. It's a 20 minute procedure and is fully reversible if needed. Costs more mind!

 

[Papercut]

I think you need to get a second opinion mate, don't mess with your eyes

 

[Dometop]

I do not disagree with eyetest's and I think they are a good thing and encourage people to go for one at least once every two years.

Transfering the service to the NHS is not needed as many big companies provide a service on a huge national scale. Specsavers and Vision Express as examples.

Internet sales will however (and have already have) destroy/ed the independant small business optician. It's not nice to see/hear but that's business and the same has already happened to many butchers, groceries and other trades.

Do you shop at one of the big four supermarkets or do you still use a local grocer/butcher? Similar concept.

I disagree entirely and I feel your argument has not substantial basis. Internet sales have been stable for the last few years as the general public are aware that their eyesight is not a fashion commodity that can be bought online. They still want to see professionals, they still want to try the spectacles on before they buy them, and they certainly want to have the reassurance of having their spectacles both manufactured and fitted to their requirements and their questions answered.

For this very reason the independent market is thriving. In Brighton we have more independents than multiples due to the fact they can be diverse in what they offer, from high fashion to the ophthalmic referral pathways, and nationwide you have independents specialising in sports visions, dyslexia, low vision and a variety of other visual necessities.

Over the halloween period do you know how many people have been into my practice due to the fact they have bought contact lenses online, or in the local tattoo parlor, completely illegally, and so have now got nasty, if not vision threatening eye damage, due to the poor fitting, the poor care regime, or the fact they have been swapping lenses with their mates? And what will the internet companies do about it? Simply refer them to their local optician.

Th internet is limited. Remember that.

 

[billyiddo]

so, my fellow spectacle wearers, where do you buy your glasses ? what style do you go for ?

Im after some inspiration before getting my next pair.

 

[Dometop]

Tom Davies. I don't sell them but they are beautiful frames.

http://www.tdtomdavies.com/LimitedEdition/default.aspx

 

[billyiddo]

like the look of some of them, any idea where they are stocked ?

London/south east

 

[Dometop]

like the look of some of them, any idea where they are stocked ?

London/south east

David Clulow, Leightons

 

[spursman17]

I disagree entirely and I feel your argument has not substantial basis. Internet sales have been stable for the last few years as the general public are aware that their eyesight is not a fashion commodity that can be bought online. They still want to see professionals, they still want to try the spectacles on before they buy them, and they certainly want to have the reassurance of having their spectacles both manufactured and fitted to their requirements and their questions answered.

For this very reason the independent market is thriving. In Brighton we have more independents than multiples due to the fact they can be diverse in what they offer, from high fashion to the ophthalmic referral pathways, and nationwide you have independents specialising in sports visions, dyslexia, low vision and a variety of other visual necessities.

Over the halloween period do you know how many people have been into my practice due to the fact they have bought contact lenses online, or in the local tattoo parlor, completely illegally, and so have now got nasty, if not vision threatening eye damage, due to the poor fitting, the poor care regime, or the fact they have been swapping lenses with their mates? And what will the internet companies do about it? Simply refer them to their local optician.

Th internet is limited. Remember that.

Let's not get glasses and contact lenses mixed up here. As stated in my earlier post I still buy my contact lenses from an optician because these are more complex and the wearer should be aware of the risk of infection. Having said that, I'm an experienced wearer and know the importance of maintaining good eye health and how to clean and maintain lenses. It's also important knowing how to remove and insert them and requires some practice to do this effectively. This is why contact lenses should not be sold online and purchased by anybody but experienced wearers.

Glasses however are an entirely different kettle of fish. Glasses do not require the same maintenance (solutions, wear time), pose the same risk of infection, are not in direct contact with the eye or require the same know-how to insert and remove them.

Everything needed to purchase glasses are easily obtained (again apart from PD distance which is held back by many) from the opticians. Ordering online could not be easier unless you have an extremely complex sight (and that's probably less than 5% of the glasses wearing population).

Focusing on glasses alone and not contact lenses, opticians have been complaining of reduced sales for years due to internet based sales.