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Original poster

Where can I go for a GOOD opticians?

37 replies

TheBeesKnee · 21/02/2022 10:51

I've spent my life going to Specsavers with various degrees of success. It's always the same: I have an eye test, find out that my eyesight has got worse by -0.25-0.5, I buy new glasses, occasionally I get contact lenses, and off I go.

I've recently come across things that make me feel like I'm missing out, for example, eye drops and contact lenses that you wear around the clock which can help to treat myopia! I didn't know that existed!

The last time I went to Specsavers, the optician there tried to give me basic/hard contact lenses and seemed surprised that I wanted soft lenses which didn't dry my eyes out Hmm and couldn't answer questions about specific lenses for my astigmatism in one eye.

I just want to go to some place where people know what they're doing and can recommend treatments and products because at this rate I will actually be blind by the time I retire!

OP posts:
TheBitterBoy · 21/02/2022 14:15

I've been going to the same local independent optician since I was 10, so nearly forty years. I live in fear of him retiring, although it must be on the cards. I travel a fair distance to still go there (complicated prescription) and would always try an independent over a chain.

Mint5 · 21/02/2022 14:20

I recently switched the whole family from Boots/Specsavers to an independent and we are all delighted we did. It’s not London, sorry.

Original poster
TheBeesKnee · 22/02/2022 08:06

@NannyGythaOgg

I know this is totally unrealistic, but I get my best glasses in Turkey, on holiday. Free eye test, including an oculist. and then the highest grade varifocals, with ultra light, anti smear, photoreactive lenses.

Because I've not been able to o for a couple of years, and I got my last glasses in 2017, I had my eyes tested and got glasses here. my mistake, 3 times the price and I'm still mostly wearing my Turkish ones as they give me better all round vision,

If, by any vague chance, you are able to go to Turkey on holiday this year I would definitely get glasses there. As I hopefully will later this year.

This suggestion is bonkers Grin I will not be going to Turkey for glasses! Although I did go there on holiday about 12 years ago, lovely place.
OP posts:
Littlemissprosecco · 22/02/2022 08:12

Small independent is the way to go. They have to really care or would have no business. They’re all different though, so do look around and find one that’s right for you

Auntpodder · 22/02/2022 08:15

North London but very, very good safarianandsimon.co.uk/ - I go to Sachin at the St John’s Wood branch.

AnnaMagnani · 22/02/2022 08:49

Local independent - if they weren't good, they would go bust.

DH has complex glaucoma and is an hour in the optician each time, when he asked at eye clinic he was recommended the independent one in his local town and they have been brilliant.

purpledagger · 22/02/2022 14:16

Agree with independent opticians.

Maybe ask your local hospital or GP surgery for some recommendations. My local hospital eye Dept, gave us a list of local opticians so we could get DCs eyes tested. They have a sign up that says they that they can offer some treatments in place of the GP, so I think they get sent patients from the local surgeries.

The great thing about our opticians is that they know us so we get consistent care.

Mol1628 · 22/02/2022 14:33

Just been to local independent today to see if they were any good as couldn’t get an appointment with usual Specsavers.

They were dreadful. Really rude and unhelpful and didn’t even show us where to look for frames on the shelves or explain the pricing tiers. Won’t be going back. Our local Specsavers are pretty good

DuneFan · 22/02/2022 14:36

Our local eye hospital has an in house optician that also has a private practice in the town. They are brilliant.

Can you find out who this is in your area? Maybe someone linked to Moorfields?

PriamFarrl · 22/02/2022 14:40

Who I still prescribing hard lenses?
Unless you already use them no one will prescribe them now to new patients.

Tomnooktoldmeto · 22/02/2022 15:51

Love our local specsavers they spend hours setting my somewhat complicated glasses up without complaint every year

They’re gentle with DH and DD who are autistic and under take additional testing yearly for me as I have risk of a number of conditions and identified another that means I will lose my vision

My local ophthalmology department actually refer patients to them because of their testing facilities

We transferred to them from a local independent that couldn’t compete as they couldn’t afford the more expensive testing equipment

Kapalika · 22/02/2022 16:04

@TheBeesKnee have you tried Eye Contact in New Malden?
Independent and trades on its word of mouth. We've been going for over 10 years and I really rate them.

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