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Original poster

Independent optician vs Specsavers?

33 replies

Elephantina · 16/02/2019 17:34

I've used Specsavers for years, all good no complaints - other than that they don't seem to be very helpful when I ask about specific issues that I have.

For example I have a squint and a lazy eye, double vision, astigmatism (not a big deal I know), long sight now as well as short sight so I use varifocals, and extremely poor night vision with blind spots. Ive started clay shooting which I love, but can't hit daylight despite endless lessons and the instructor simply can't understand what I'm seeing.

I have repeatedly asked the optician if there is anything else than can be done to improve matters and they seem to shrug and suggest that's just the way it is and I'm stuck with it.

I'm happy to accept that as the truth - but is it worth seeing an independent optician as a last attempt, before I give up and accept my Magoo status for ever?

OP posts:
CheeseWheel · 16/02/2019 20:54

Specsavers are absolutely atrocious in my experience. Id go to an independent and get a second opinion. The difference will astound you. They aren't always more expensive either, my local opticians is independent and cheaper than specsavers because they make all the glasses onsite.

TheFaerieQueene · 16/02/2019 20:55

Always an independent.

llangennith · 16/02/2019 20:56

I've stopped going to Specsavers. Anything different from normal shortsightedness and they're rubbish. Haven't a clue.

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PanamaPattie · 16/02/2019 20:57

Independent all the way. IMO, Specsavers are shit.

CherryBlossom23 · 16/02/2019 20:57

I have a very high prescription which makes me more susceptible to serious conditions (detached retina, etc) so I always go to an independent. I like the continuity of care and feel they are able to give you more time if needs be. I've never felt rushed or not listened to.

notacooldad · 16/02/2019 21:14

I am really surprised about the responses about specsavers. We have a couple in our town that are excellent and give really good advice. They picked up on an underlying health condition on a colleague and got him to seek medical advice. They are reasonably priced. I haven't got a problem with them.
Our independents are good as well.

CherryBlossom23 · 16/02/2019 21:43

I think the problem with Specsavers is that they are a franchise so some could be great while others are awful. If you have a straightforward prescription I'm sure they're fine but I wouldn't trust them with anything complicated. Too risky getting crap service.

Elphame · 16/02/2019 21:44

Independent - your eyesight sounds very like mine and I suspect your depth perception is poor (mine is non existent). I was always classed as clumsy until my friend started studying to be an optician and practised on me. All was revealed!

I wouldn't even try clay pigeon shooting....

EmpressJewel · 16/02/2019 21:51

DS has been wearing glasses since he was 2. we go to an independent opticians and I think DS has really benefitted from the continuity of care.

The hospital gave us a list of opticians and that’s how we found them. Our optician used to work in a hospital so is good on the medical side of things.

DramaAlpaca · 16/02/2019 21:54

An independent every time. I've had bad experiences with Specsavers that put me off going back, but my local independent is excellent.

domton · 16/02/2019 22:05

Another independent vote from me too. I take meds which put me at risk for eye problems, and they take loads of time, never over-sell, and have called me back for extra check-ups (usually quick and don't charge), more regularthan my usual annual ones a few times just to keep an eye on things. Would never trust specsavers if there wasn't a sale in it for them.

dangermouseisace · 16/02/2019 22:39

Independent.

Last time I went to Specsavers they had me down as needing 2 incorrect prescriptions rather than the 1 correct prescription that I had to obtain months later from an independent.

hellenbackagen · 16/02/2019 22:44

i worked for 10 years as a do

specsavers are all franchises - so as good as the owner.

twoheaped · 16/02/2019 22:48

Independent every time.

domton · 16/02/2019 23:22

@hellenbackagen strange how their reputation is generally poor then. Curious.

Original poster
Elephantina · 17/02/2019 08:28

Thanks for all these responses - after I posted I thought maybe I'm being a knob, an optician is an optician surely. But I feel a bit more reassured that it's worth a try now!

I wouldn't say Specsavers were shit exactly, but they seem to have limited time and limited interest in discussing specific problems.

@Elphame yes I'm sure you're right, my depth perception IS terrible! I can hit some clays if they're travelling from left to right or vice versa, but as soon as they come from behind or in front, my perception of where the hell they are goes out the window. The instructor got very frustrated with me. And when driving in the dark...well, its tricky! Can they do anything with prism to resolve it? I've got prism in both lenses at the moment.

Any guidance on choosing an independent? There are a couple in my town but the websites aren't especially impressive.

OP posts:
Foxyloxy1plus1 · 17/02/2019 09:25

Independents are generally more expensive that franchises like Specsavers, but they are also more thorough in my opinion and will give advice and talk through options much more.

I have just started going to an independent who is fairly new to the town and have been impressed with his attention to detail and the time he takes. It’s difficult with opticians because you can’t have eye tests in several different ones, but I’d look at the premises, see what equipment there is if you can and maybe ask for a consultation about your particular problem.

I tried Specsavers, but they were awful in this town and then I tried Boots, but it felt like a production line and I wasn’t confident. I’m paying more at the independent, but then I don’t want to take chances with eyes and I think it’s worth spending the money when you have a complex prescription and condition.

Elphame · 17/02/2019 10:25

@Elephantina - it's not easily fixable unfortunately. The problem is partly in the way the brain processes the images and partly because the eyes are misaligned. As they don't line up because of the squint you get the double vision. My brain copes by completely suppressing the image from my right eye. You need stereoscopic vision for depth perception. If I'm tired then I get the double vision. If I want to use my right eye I have to close my left!

I was told by the Prof of Ophthalmics (who took a look at me when my friend told him about me) that they could possibly fix it by giving me exercises to break through the suppression and retrain the eyes to work together. This should have been done when I was a small child. The risk now ( I was 19) was that I could end up with permanent double vision so I chose to leave things alone.

It did explain an awful lot - I was always terrible at racquet sports and golf but now at least I knew why!

I found my optician by personal recommendation. He's excellent. It's an old fashioned practice but he invests in the latest computerised eye imaging. It's fascinating seeing the pictures of the eye and all the parts in pretty colours.

FaithInfinity · 17/02/2019 11:17

Great example of a Specsavers vs Independent: I’d worn glasses for a while and wanted to try contact lenses. I was with Specsavers so I booked a trial. 30 minute appointment in a basement room, boiling hot. Got shown the basics and tried my best but I really struggled, getting hotter and flustered. Couldn’t do it so they refused to send me home with them and said I’d have to come back. It was quite upsetting really. I left it several years (!) and then started going to an independent instead. Decided to go for another contact trial. It was an hour appointment, really calm. The optician put them in and then got me to practise taking them in and out. Within the hour I felt okay, took them home. Years later I wear them every day.

My friend’s brother is an optician. He said the best way to do it is to get your eyes tested at an independent and get your glasses from Specsavers.

Applesaregreenandred · 17/02/2019 11:21

We have always used an independent family optician - I think the special offers in Specsavers are good but it's not the same personal care. That said, Specsavers at home were really great with my parents when they couldn't get out

Meet0nTheledge · 17/02/2019 11:24

Complex prescription here too (-12, also a bit of astigmatism and long-sightedness, wear contacts as well as glasses). Never been to Specsavers, I use a local chain and they are brilliant, they spend ages trying different things with me, let me trial lots of different lenses, do all the most high-tech scans etc. Very happy with them.

Original poster
Elephantina · 28/02/2019 00:57

By way of an update, I saw the independent optician - who quickly discovered that I have Duane Syndrome. It's a rather rare eye movement disorder, a birth defect, and it means my left eye won't look left! She was amazed that it hadn't been picked up before...

Which kind of explains all my issues...and means I will always be shit at shooting. Ah well!

OP posts:
Meet0nTheledge · 28/02/2019 08:15

Glad you got some answers, shame about the shoiting though.

Original poster
Elephantina · 28/02/2019 08:37

I went from elated at finally having a reason for my peculiar eye movements and muddled vision, to feeling oddly proud of getting myself my very own "rare" eye disorder, to thinking...oh crap, nothing will ever get any better!

Yeah pity about the shooting. Never had any trouble shoiting though GrinGrin 💩

OP posts:
carpetcat · 28/02/2019 09:24

@Elephantina really interested to read this thread, I have Duane Syndrome too, also in my left eye! I wasn't diagnosed until I was in my twenties, god knows how my parents didn't notice Hmm! It was one of the first things I looked for when my DS was born Smile

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