New glasses advice

[dtswiss]

I need glasses for the first time. The glasses will be for reading. Tried a few at the supermarket and self diagnosed I'm around +1.25 with one eye better than the other. So...

1. I need a test and my thoughts are that Boots or D and A would be a good choice since they are likely to invest in the latest testing machines and training. Is this logical thinking and are these two okay? Or recommendations in the Blackpool/Preston area.

2. What are my options on lenses and lens qualities, are some better than others.

3. Frames, not too bothered about designer, just want some that are reliable.

Thanks

[BigAlinEmbra]

I reckon it's worth the time and money to get sorted out at a proper opticians.

An eye test will mean you get the prescription that's right for you, so you don't end up with headaches or having your eyesight deteriorate more rapidly than it should.

Although the Specsavers adverts are pretty cheesy, my local one has been very good. I've been wearing specs for the past 18 years so I have been to a few opticians too!
If you're just buying the one pair then they start at about £25 quid, or if you want a spare pair then they've got a BOGOF above £75 for frames.
As long as you're not getting anything fancy done with lenses then they're free.

Think an eye test is about £30-40, although sometimes dependent on how much you're spending on glasses it might get thrown in free. Fortunately up in Scotland everyone gets them free.

If you think you probably spend about £100 quid a year getting your hair cut, then about the same for 2 years of being able to see properly is a bargain!

[madala]

...get you eyes tested properly at one of the main opticians....and look out for good offers....there are usually plenty about.

[BJWoods]

dtswiss said:

I need glasses for the first time. The glasses will be for reading. Tried a few at the supermarket and self diagnosed I'm around +1.25 with one eye better than the other. So...

1. I need a test and my thoughts are that Boots or D and A would be a good choice since they are likely to invest in the latest testing machines and training. Is this logical thinking and are these two okay? Or recommendations in the Blackpool/Preston area.

2. What are my options on lenses and lens qualities, are some better than others.

3. Frames, not too bothered about designer, just want some that are reliable.

Thanks

you would be mistaken, ask how many Qualified dispensing opticians they have..
the guys that FIT your glasses(3 YEAR degree course), oh 3 days training for saturday girl. anything slightly complicated, better try 4 times get it wrong, patient goes to someone who can do beyond the basics

ever heard of optomap (only 1 or 2 at dand)
latest topographers for ortho k (what's that aske the barely trained saturday girl)

BOOTS own danda brand to disappear soon

prescribe, and encourage new glasses, for minimal changes, most opticians would say you can but don't need to.

Spend money on quality lenses not the branded for multiple rubbish, frames are just for fashion, brand bullst (says me wearing Cartier )

SELL, SELL, SEll

That said any individual franchise of the multiples CAN be very Good, just depends on the franchisee, optometrists, etc...

So if a mate says danda/boots are good, go to the same branch.

B

[wulluff]

dtswiss said:

I need glasses for the first time. The glasses will be for reading. Tried a few at the supermarket and self diagnosed I'm around +1.25 with one eye better than the other. So...

1. I need a test and my thoughts are that Boots or D and A would be a good choice since they are likely to invest in the latest testing machines and training. Is this logical thinking and are these two okay? Or recommendations in the Blackpool/Preston area.

2. What are my options on lenses and lens qualities, are some better than others.

3. Frames, not too bothered about designer, just want some that are reliable.

Thanks

I started using 1.25 about a year ago just occaisionally - now i have half a dozen cheapies pairs dotted around the house and some decent ones for work etc. Can't see diddly squat without them but it's no big deal - comes to most of us with age

Get yourself a free eye test as they're always offers on, then choose your frames, get the product code and buy them on the net

[jamoor]

BJWoods said:

dtswiss said:

I need glasses for the first time. The glasses will be for reading. Tried a few at the supermarket and self diagnosed I'm around +1.25 with one eye better than the other. So...

1. I need a test and my thoughts are that Boots or D and A would be a good choice since they are likely to invest in the latest testing machines and training. Is this logical thinking and are these two okay? Or recommendations in the Blackpool/Preston area.

2. What are my options on lenses and lens qualities, are some better than others.

3. Frames, not too bothered about designer, just want some that are reliable.

Thanks

you would be mistaken, ask how many Qualified dispensing opticians they have..
the guys that FIT your glasses(3 YEAR degree course), oh 3 days training for saturday girl. anything slightly complicated, better try 4 times get it wrong, patient goes to someone who can do beyond the basics

ever heard of optomap (only 1 or 2 at dand)
latest topographers for ortho k (what's that aske the barely trained saturday girl)

BOOTS own danda brand to disappear soon

prescribe, and encourage new glasses, for minimal changes, most opticians would say you can but don't need to.

Spend money on quality lenses not the branded for multiple rubbish, frames are just for fashion, brand bullst (says me wearing Cartier )

SELL, SELL, SEll

That said any individual franchise of the multiples CAN be very Good, just depends on the franchisee, optometrists, etc...

So if a mate says danda/boots are good, go to the same branch.

B

Now is it me or does this post come accross as complete nonsense?

[BJWoods]

jamoor said:

BJWoods said:

dtswiss said:

I need glasses for the first time. The glasses will be for reading. Tried a few at the supermarket and self diagnosed I'm around +1.25 with one eye better than the other. So...

1. I need a test and my thoughts are that Boots or D and A would be a good choice since they are likely to invest in the latest testing machines and training. Is this logical thinking and are these two okay? Or recommendations in the Blackpool/Preston area.

2. What are my options on lenses and lens qualities, are some better than others.

3. Frames, not too bothered about designer, just want some that are reliable.

Thanks

you would be mistaken, ask how many Qualified dispensing opticians they have..
the guys that FIT your glasses(3 YEAR degree course), oh 3 days training for saturday girl. anything slightly complicated, better try 4 times get it wrong, patient goes to someone who can do beyond the basics

ever heard of optomap (only 1 or 2 at dand)
latest topographers for ortho k (what's that aske the barely trained saturday girl)

BOOTS own danda brand to disappear soon

prescribe, and encourage new glasses, for minimal changes, most opticians would say you can but don't need to.

Spend money on quality lenses not the branded for multiple rubbish, frames are just for fashion, brand bullst (says me wearing Cartier )

SELL, SELL, SEll

That said any individual franchise of the multiples CAN be very Good, just depends on the franchisee, optometrists, etc...

So if a mate says danda/boots are good, go to the same branch.

B

Now is it me or does this post come accross as complete nonsense?

typed it very quickly .... now what don't you understand?

Basically, multiples (the big chains) are only as good as the individuals at any particular branch..
so go by personal recommendation to the same branch..

Some Multiples have a dispensing ratio of over 100%

how do they do that?

my wife is an optometrist, in partnership, for nearly 20 years.

their dispensing ration is nearer 60%

now not everyone she sees for an eye examination, actually needs any correction (ie needs glasses)
also, of the people she see that allready wear glasses, not everyone need a change (ie needs new glasses/lenses)

So how do the multiples get that high ratio... What do you think?

Most multiple will NOT reglaze you existing frames!
We of course do, but lots of people tend to get their old pair reglazed, as a spare, and get something newer more fashionable.

when we get cv's from optometrists that have worked in some multiples, they make a point of 'I can do a eye exam in 20 minute, some even 15 minutes..

those cv's get filed in the bin.

my wife with 20 years experience, has 40 minute appointements, frequently recieving comments from new patients, 'I've not had that done before, you ask a lot of question (medical & family history, can be very important) 'what's that equipment, not seen that before, etc,etc

B

Edited by BJWoods on Thursday 27th August 19:53

Edited by BJWoods on Thursday 27th August 20:12

[Pied Piper]

I went to specsavers a couple of years ago they prescribed glasses full time for me and for work for my wife.

I suffered from headaches and tiredness a lot and went to a local optician who asked me to put my glasses on upside down the world seemed a much clearer place it seems they either made a mistake with the prescription or the technician managed to get the lenses reversed. Now have new glasses with a stronger prescription and everything seems ok.

My wife who was prescribed glasses also had her eyes tested, was told her vision was fine and did not need to use glasses.

I know who I will be going back to.

[MudSkipper]

Get them tested properly!! It only costs £25 and depnding on your job you should be able to claim the cost back through the company

I wore glasses for about 15yrs and then had laser surgery to correct my short sightedness, have been having issues with my eyes for a while now which i put down to being tired, but have found out i'm now becoming naturally long sighted about 10yrs early (I'm only 28!). I have been told that I wont be able to buy the cheaper glasses as I have an astigmatism.

[selectaspex]

let me know your eye test prescription and i,ll quote you a reasonable price

[Tiggsy]

Glasses for 20 years...get them tested every now and then at whoever i am passing...buy glasses (and contacts) on the net - NEVER pay more than £50 and thats normally BOGOF!

Replace them every year or two (depending on when i sit on them!)

Never had a problem.

[5potTurbo]

Wow! -9.00 Varifocals - get ready to sell parents, children, siblings, etc. to pay for them!

[BJWoods]

5potTurbo said:

Wow! -9.00 Varifocals - get ready to sell parents, children, siblings, etc. to pay for them!

I recommend you go to a really good dispensing optician with a prescription for varifocals like that!!!!

find a friend with a similar prerscription, that is happy with their glasses and go there..

It will cost, for the best quality lenses(think field of view, etc)

Edited by BJWoods on Thursday 13th May 13:04

[uuf361]

I'm at -13 and -11, and have to get my eyes tested every 6 months as they will still not stablise (and I'm in my thirties now) - notrmally walk out £700 lighter each time

[jbudgie]

selectaspex said:

let me know your eye test prescription and i,ll quote you a reasonable price

R sph -2.25 cyl -0.25 axis 160 add +2.25

L sph -1.95 cyl -2.00 axis 20 add +2.25.

Could you make lenses to this spec to fit in Wiley X frames?