How you do choose/pick a 'good' local independent optician if you live in an area with many?
Posted by yellowroll@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 5 comments
Where I live there are many well reviewed local opticians on Google. How does one go about narrowing down the list? All offer private eye tests ranging from £50-99.
This May I had my most recent eye test from an independent who don't charge for their eye tests. I presume they make their money from the frames and lenses and attract new customers through their free eye tests. I am certain they failed to note down or identify that I have a mild form of astigmatism and this wasn't noted down in my prescription. Over the last month I have begun to notice that at night whenever I see street lights, traffic lights or car lights a halo/glare appears whereby I can't seem to focus on the light source. This problem persists no matter if my wear my old or new glasses. It still persists even if I don't wear glasses therefore I am almost certain it is astigmatism.
Is it trial and error until you find a good local independent opticians? On their website should I be looking out for specific eye tests that they offer such as OCT scans and Optomap? Not sure if these extra scans are necessarily as I am early 30s.
nomarmite@reddit
I highly doubt that your optician failed to note your astigmatism. This is part of the standard prescription, so they have to put a value there, even if it's zero:
Of course they may have calculated it wrongly, but that's another matter.
It's more worrying that you're suddenly noticing haloes. If they were down to your astigmatism you would have noticed them a long time ago, as astigmatism doesn't change much with age.
As sudden onset of haloes can be caused by a serious condition called glaucoma, I suggest you get an eye test asap, mentioning your concern. Opticians can identify possible glaucoma with a simple test. This is a condition that needs to be treated early to avoid sight loss.
bishibashi@reddit
Pop in and chat to one, explain why you were unhappy with your last test and see if you get a good feeling from them. I go to an excellent independent for eye tests but get my glasses somewhere else entirely.
Lopsided_Soup_3533@reddit
I mean I don't know if it's a good one but I live literally next door to an opticians but I'm not sure if the offer NHS services. I really should check as I'm very overdue an eye test
Queen_of_Pangea@reddit
This is why I avoid that independent, as much as they have helped me in the past, and go to a NHS Optician.
It is a case of trial and error imo.
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