Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

I went to the opticians today - £133!

89 replies

WalkLong · 04/04/2023 20:25

And I didn't buy any glasses or contact lenses!

They're a very reputable independent practice that I've been going to for 40 years. I've always know I could get it cheaper, but I'm happy to support this business where I've always had excellent service. E.g. when in pain in the early weeks of lockdown they opened up specially for me. However, I think they saw me coming today.

I had sight test - £35
Contact lens check -£55

Then to treat my dry eyes I needed

  • Eye drops £14 (I know the same ones are £13 on Amazon, that's where I'll get the next lot, but support the local business...)
  • Lid cleaning wipes £9.50 for 20 to be used daily! . Who knew there was such a thing but apparently I have a build up of microscopic dust on my lashes that is contributing to the dry eyes and that only these will shift.
  • A heated eye bag £20. A thing that goes in the microwave to warm my tear ducts daily. Apparently way better than anything else you can buy because it's made to fit the eyes and will mold to shape better.

I've always trusted them to give good advice more than the big chains, but I fear I was properly upsold today, unless any one can tell me lash dust is a real thing and requires specialist cleaning?

OP posts:
Original poster
WalkLong · 05/04/2023 06:39

bumblefeline · 05/04/2023 00:34

This, barely any profits from these wipes and drops. Contact lenses are the same, barely any profit. I think people will genuinely be happy when all independents are gone.

Show quote history

I won't be happy when all independents are gone, that's why I've kept using them, knowing they're more expensive. I will be very sad if they turn themselves into inferior/more expensive versions of the chains though.

If there's no benefit to them in selling me these things, why not just offer proper advice - the advice I'm prepared to pay a premium for?

OP posts:
Original poster
WalkLong · 05/04/2023 06:42

Shesasuperfreak · 05/04/2023 01:16

I did. I didn't start listing my d'ss disabilities that have nothing to do with his eyes as a one up man ship.
This person needs to here it straight. They are not the only one dealing with disabilities and I don't need to be told about a strangers as a way to disprove my point about expensive glasses.

You situation sounds awful, but I think you've proved the posters point. Presumably your care is paid for by the NHS (and maybe you get some other financial help too). You're not expected to pay for your annual checks?

OP posts:
Setyoufree · 05/04/2023 06:46

I got similarly rinsed by my independent optician so haven't been back....

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
ExtremelyDetermined · 05/04/2023 06:56

If they told you you needed treatment for dry eyes but then didn't sell the stuff "oh, you can get it on Amazon" you'd have people complaining too, they can't win and they can't compete with Amazon on price.

OrangeKnot · 05/04/2023 06:56

Specsavers et al have a very different ethos, refraction and out. They refer you to the NHS Hospital Eye Service for anything at all out of their narrow scope and will only sell ‘their’ lenses/products etc. Great if you’re an average bear, but very bad indeed if you’ve any specific need. Dry eye is a proper problem. Save your quid on your drops at Amazon and go to Specsavers and see how well you’ll fare in the long run. Dry eye is a big deal. The NHS pays 22.14 for a sight test. That’s 40 mins in the chair. It costs 200 an hour to run a practice (rent/rates etc). As with all you really do get what you pay for. I think too that soon NHS will only be available at Specsavers et al. You’ll miss the independents when they’re gone. It’ll be like dentistry, pulling a tooth out because it’s cheaper.

Original poster
WalkLong · 05/04/2023 07:05

ExtremelyDetermined · 05/04/2023 06:56

If they told you you needed treatment for dry eyes but then didn't sell the stuff "oh, you can get it on Amazon" you'd have people complaining too, they can't win and they can't compete with Amazon on price.

I'd prefer real advice. You could use this or get this one on Amazon. This more expensive one is better because.... Or maybe these wipes are handy but this solution/baby oil is cheaper is cheaper....If you only want to buy one thing today, the drops (or whatever) will make the most difference.

I'd have asked for their recommendation and probably bought their stuff anyway!

OP posts:
Youcancallmeirrelevant · 05/04/2023 07:07

If you wear contact lenses, most places like specsavers give you eye tests and contact lense checks free as part of the scheme. I also get free glasses every 2 years

AFlockOfTigers · 05/04/2023 07:14

Could be worse. My local optician have switched to charging 188 quid for an eye test (not a contact lens check). I asked if I could opt out of the full retinal scan because I'd had that done recently (by them) and just have the basics to get my most up to date prescription for new varifocals after the previous set got lost, and they said no.

I went elsewhere.

RicchT · 05/04/2023 07:17

You think that the optician is expensive…

I suggest you report back after going to the dentist.

BatshitCrazyWoman · 05/04/2023 07:18

I don't think they 'saw you coming'. The bulk of the cost was an eye test and a lens check, which presumably you booked?! Do your opticians have a contact lens scheme? My independent opticians do, so my eye and lens check is included. It sounds like the optician thought you had meibomian gland dysfunction, which would stop you wearing your lenses comfortably if you didn't do anything about it. You'll have the eye bag for ages, the other things you could get cheaper online (although I get a discount on anything like that because I'm part of the scheme.

https://www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/guide-to-eye-conditions/dry-eye/eyelid-conditions/meibomian-gland-dysfunction/#:~:text=Meibomian%20gland%20dysfunction%20(MGD)%20is,least%20one%20symptom%20of%20MGD.

To a PP, eye tests are not free in England. Neither are prescriptions.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

The critical role of the eyelid The eyelid’s primary function is to protect the eye from injury and provide a moist cavity for the normal

https://www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/guide-to-eye-conditions/dry-eye/eyelid-conditions/meibomian-gland-dysfunction#:~:text=Meibomian%20gland%20dysfunction%20(MGD)%20is,least%20one%20symptom%20of%20MGD.

Alocasia · 05/04/2023 07:19

👏👏👏 @getwhatupayfor I completely agree. And I like your comparison to paying for a hairdresser’s time, it’s very true.

OP I guess you could have said no thankyou to the ‘upselling’? Sounds like you have dry eye and MGD, which could become significantly worse without management.

and to the poster who said a contact lens check is only to get a prescription which can be done at the eye test, no. It doesn’t work like that.

Original poster
WalkLong · 05/04/2023 07:21

RicchT · 05/04/2023 07:17

You think that the optician is expensive…

I suggest you report back after going to the dentist.

I've done that this week too. £95 for the hygienist, but I do, for the time being, get dentistry on the NHS so my check up was less than £25. My sister who can't get an NHS dentist has just paid £130 for her child to have a filling.

All of these things worry me becuase there must be some families for whom it's just out of the question to spend that money.

OP posts:
Yesthatismychildsigh · 05/04/2023 07:22

All I can say is more fool you for letting them rip you off. Supporting local business is one thing, allowing this piss take is another.

arapunzel · 05/04/2023 07:23

Why don’t you take the Optometrists advice and try the products before deciding that you’ve been oversold?

Eyemask, drops and eyelid wipes are all very standard for treatment of dry eye and blepharitis - which are very common conditions and something that a qualified optician can easily advise treatment on. If the clinician hadn’t advised treatment and you’d later developed issues, such as discomfort when wearing your contact lenses from the dry eye the optician would be blamed for not advising.

Original poster
WalkLong · 05/04/2023 07:24

Actually I've also realised they said they'd email the prescription because the printer "wasn't working" although they managed to print a receipt. I'd have it within the hour....but it hasn't arrived.

OP posts:
Alocasia · 05/04/2023 07:26

Check your junk folder. Emailed prescriptions often end up in there.
receipt printers tend to be separate smaller printers, not A4 ones so quite possible one was working and not the other.

PieonaBarm · 05/04/2023 07:27

I was told to soak a clean flannel in boiling water and hold that onto my eyes (closed) as hot as I could bear it, twice a day, for dry eyes. It works. You don't need those wipes so that's £10 saved!

Original poster
WalkLong · 05/04/2023 07:29

PieonaBarm · 05/04/2023 07:27

I was told to soak a clean flannel in boiling water and hold that onto my eyes (closed) as hot as I could bear it, twice a day, for dry eyes. It works. You don't need those wipes so that's £10 saved!

That's £10 every 20 days saved!

OP posts:
Lampan · 05/04/2023 07:36

Why not just clean your teeth with water instead of toothpaste then?
Honestly why are people so skeptical about advice from a professional person who trained for 4 years?

Original poster
WalkLong · 05/04/2023 07:37

Lampan · 05/04/2023 07:36

Why not just clean your teeth with water instead of toothpaste then?
Honestly why are people so skeptical about advice from a professional person who trained for 4 years?

Because toothpaste doesn't cost £10 for a 20 day supply? 😆 I also don't buy it from the dentist. Strange example.

OP posts:
JustFrustrated · 05/04/2023 07:38

I see people are saying that it's about right cost wise for an eye test.

My local, amazing, independent charges £26 an eye test.

That's a massive difference.

Theyve been around for years, and are usually quite hard to get an appointment with, and just opened another store. So I don't think £55 is reasonable at all.

Lampan · 05/04/2023 07:39

My example was referring to the fact that posters are suggesting that just water can do the job.

OrangeKnot · 05/04/2023 07:39

@JustFrustrated i am guessing that didn’t include any scans?

YouJustDoYou · 05/04/2023 07:40

I'm with specsavers contact lens scheme, I get sent my contacts every few months and eye and contact lens check is free.

Original poster
WalkLong · 05/04/2023 07:45

It seems like they're trying to make themselves more commercial but doing it in a slightly amateur way. I don't object at all to businesses doing business. If "seĺling" feels like customer service that's all good, but this didn't. I actually admire a great salesman at work, the ones who do it without you realising you've been sold to (I once witnessed a barmaid do a superb job of getting a stag party to spend much more than they intended as if she was doing them a favour. That was a work of art).

I just tried to email to follow up the prescription. There's no email address on the website, but there is a "contact us" form. It had a box to tick to agree to marketing materials, but your message won't send if you don't tick it....

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread