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Optician Recommendations

As a follow on from having my Glasses broken yesterday I went to Specsavers this morning for an eye test ahead of getting replacement glasses (was needed anyway)... Basically been told that my eye sight has steadily declined yet my vision has also gotten worse meaning that I'm potentially border line with regards to being allowed to drive (at the moment I would pass any eye sight test set by the police or DVLA).

Am 35-years old and this has left me a bit shaken and depressed as love driving yet at the same time have always had the opinion that driving is always risky because your potentially putting your life in the hands of others so dont want to put others a risk if I cant see properly so would stop driving if it came to that.

Basically want a second opinion from another Opticians away from Specsavers to see what they say... Used to use Boots growing up but is there anywhere else that people can recommend in the North West Kent area? (i.e. Been thinking about going to David Clulow at Bluewater)
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Comments

  • edited October 2018
    Last time I used Vision Express, they have just taken over Tesco opticians so bigger Tesco stores will likely have an outlet ..
    i m o better than Specsavers and the price is right .. then again, it depends on the optometrist who does the inspection .. some want to go far too quickly, make sure they take their time and allow you to properly assess the various lens options .. good luck
  • Little independent place in Crayford high street just at the bottom of the hill is very good. I have complex prescription and they are very patient and thorough with me.

    Crayford optical center. 11A Crayford High Street.
  • By all means get a second opinion, but I've never had any problems with the optometrists at Specsavers. Indeed the big chains can probably afford more of the specialist equipment used nowadays in the test.
  • Robert Murrell in Swanley is brilliant. An independent optician. Really thorough. I have a complex prescription and he has always sorted it. When I've had any eye problems (Iritis, retina probs) he's spotted them and sent me to the eye hospital. Top bloke, would totally recommend.
  • By all means get a second opinion, but I've never had any problems with the optometrists at Specsavers. Indeed the big chains can probably afford more of the specialist equipment used nowadays in the test.

    Yeah I've never had issue with SpecSavers before either yet just felt as though the eye test was rushed (i.e. Was about 30mins late even @ 9am this morning) - i.e. Rattled out a few lines on the Letter Chart for each eye, got given a few alterations to see if it helped (It didnt) and that was it... Always seemed to last a lot longer when I've previously had them
  • edited October 2018
    Was going to post something, but not really that funny.
    One of those optician eye test things.
  • By all means get a second opinion, but I've never had any problems with the optometrists at Specsavers. Indeed the big chains can probably afford more of the specialist equipment used nowadays in the test.

    Yeah I've never had issue with SpecSavers before either yet just felt as though the eye test was rushed (i.e. Was about 30mins late even @ 9am this morning) - i.e. Rattled out a few lines on the Letter Chart for each eye, got given a few alterations to see if it helped (It didnt) and that was it... Always seemed to last a lot longer when I've previously had them
    I felt my last test at specsavers was rushed and far less comprehensive than the one i'd had 2 years before. I'm going to go to a new one on my next eye test.
    Sorry, doesn't help, but i echo your thoughts on them.

    Plus, if the outcome is potentially life changing, as yours might be, a second opinion is just prudent.

    My mum swears by the lady at Boots in bromley.
  • Not in your area, but the Crofton Park Opticians is good. Added in case someone else is using this thread to see recommendations.
  • Was going to post something, but not really that funny.
    One of those optician eye test things.

    I saw the picture and to be honest did make me smile, thank you
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  • I know it isn't North West Kent, but if you wouldn't mind venturing westwards, I cannot recommend Page and Small in Charlton highly enough.

    It's a small, family run place and you will not be rushed out. They really take their time with you to make sure that you get a chance to consider options etc. Most people I know prefer the Specsavers approach, as you're in and out really quickly. I only get my eyes tested every 2-3 years, so don't mind the extra time, if it means that I get a good service (Last time they force fed me with chocolates and coffee!).

    Yes, people do scoff at how seriously I take a trip to the opticians, but it's quite an important thing.
  • Fine for a second opinion from an optician but I would suggest a referral to an eye specialist is the best course of action. If it's (wet) macular degeneration then there are effective treatments if caught early enough. At your age it shouldn't be age-related MD.
  • Oh, and if you do go, please let me know, cos I'll get a tenner added to my account.

    Thanks!
  • bobmunro said:

    Fine for a second opinion from an optician but I would suggest a referral to an eye specialist is the best course of action. If it's (wet) macular degeneration then there are effective treatments if caught early enough. At your age it shouldn't be age-related MD.

    To be fair to the lady I saw... She did suggest referring me as think she could see the worry on my face

    She did go on to say that the health of my eyes appears to be fine so didnt see the need for it
  • These days, the machines seem to do a lot of the sight test work, so less time is needed wearing those weird glasses and reading letters on a wall.
    bobmunro said:

    Fine for a second opinion from an optician but I would suggest a referral to an eye specialist is the best course of action. If it's (wet) macular degeneration then there are effective treatments if caught early enough. At your age it shouldn't be age-related MD.

    Agreed, if there is significant change, a specialist might be needed, though I assume the optometrist would do a referral if it was needed. My elderly mother has been the Queen Mary's several times, both for macular degeneration in one eye and for cataract operations
  • edited October 2018
    I'd get a second opinion to settle your concerns.

    A few years ago Specsavers told me I had cataracts forming, which for someone in their early 50's really pissed me off, especially as I could see not the slightest sign.

    I didn't go for a couple of years, kind of because this put me off.

    I went a couple of months ago to Specsavers and it wasn't mentioned, so I queried this.

    I was told, yes there are small early signs, but probably average for someone in their mid 50's, so I had it on my mind unnecessarily really.

    They were probably correct, but hadn't explained it sufficiently.
  • I know it isn't North West Kent, but if you wouldn't mind venturing westwards, I cannot recommend Page and Small in Charlton highly enough.

    It's a small, family run place and you will not be rushed out. They really take their time with you to make sure that you get a chance to consider options etc. Most people I know prefer the Specsavers approach, as you're in and out really quickly. I only get my eyes tested every 2-3 years, so don't mind the extra time, if it means that I get a good service (Last time they force fed me with chocolates and coffee!).

    Yes, people do scoff at how seriously I take a trip to the opticians, but it's quite an important thing.

    I went to Page and Small, many years ago, I think with your recommendation, I will go back again, I always found them good in the past but just started going to Boots for some reason.
  • Whats your prescription @ForeverAddickted
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  • If you've got concerns about your sight, go to you GP and ask to be referred to Moorfields Eye Hospital. The single best opthalmology unit in the country.
  • JohnBoyUK said:

    If you've got concerns about your sight, go to you GP and ask to be referred to Moorfields Eye Hospital. The single best opthalmology unit in the country.

    Already been there... Went as a child to have treatment (Cant remember what it was due to being so long ago)
  • SamB09 said:

    Whats your prescription @ForeverAddickted

    Right Eye: SPH (-6.50) | CYL (-1.25) | AXIS (167.5)
    Left Eye: SPH (-3.25) | CYL (-3.00) | AXIS (22.5) | BVD (12.00)
  • SamB09 said:

    Whats your prescription @ForeverAddickted

    Right Eye: SPH (-6.50) | CYL (-1.25) | AXIS (167.5)
    Left Eye: SPH (-3.25) | CYL (-3.00) | AXIS (22.5) | BVD (12.00)
    AXIS ? .. keep quiet about that @Henry Irving will have you tagged as a fascist
  • SamB09 said:

    Whats your prescription @ForeverAddickted

    Right Eye: SPH (-6.50) | CYL (-1.25) | AXIS (167.5)
    Left Eye: SPH (-3.25) | CYL (-3.00) | AXIS (22.5) | BVD (12.00)
    I only really know the sphere, mines -5 and -7. I can see better than 20/20 i was told at my last check up. I don’t understand the other numbers though, is it astigmatism?
  • SamB09 said:

    Whats your prescription @ForeverAddickted

    Right Eye: SPH (-6.50) | CYL (-1.25) | AXIS (167.5)
    Left Eye: SPH (-3.25) | CYL (-3.00) | AXIS (22.5) | BVD (12.00)
    AXIS ? .. keep quiet about that @Henry Irving will have you tagged as a fascist
    Yet I have a delightful lebensraum??
  • SamB09 said:

    SamB09 said:

    Whats your prescription @ForeverAddickted

    Right Eye: SPH (-6.50) | CYL (-1.25) | AXIS (167.5)
    Left Eye: SPH (-3.25) | CYL (-3.00) | AXIS (22.5) | BVD (12.00)
    I only really know the sphere, mines -5 and -7. I can see better than 20/20 i was told at my last check up. I don’t understand the other numbers though, is it astigmatism?
    Yeah it is... I think the fact the CYL for my left eye is above 3.00 means its shaped like a rugby ball
  • I'm -6 and -7
    Fuck we've got some blind bastards on here.
  • I'm -6 and -7
    Fuck we've got some blind bastards on here.

    Likewise. I reached the -7 recently. Really puts the cost of the lenses up.
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