Are independent opticians better than chain store opticians?

[Mamma36474]

I have a complex prescription - very high degree, astigmatism, and also varifocals! I'm also about to start driving lessons so they obviously need to be good for driving too.

My last prescription was in another country and introduced varifocals and I found them very uncomfortable, and short and medium distances, and not that effective at long distances (I can't see stars very clearly). I find it very difficult to focus. My last frames and lenses were so expensive and I'm desperate to get it right this time.

Would it be better to go with an independent store for a prescription? I've asked for recommendations but they've been a bit vague.

Any other advice? I've been through so many eye tests and it used to be so straightforward but as my eyes have gotten worse with age, eye tests seem to have become a bigger struggle.

I’ve tried the usual chain opticians and not been very impressed. That could be to do with the particular franchise or area though. I went to an independent optician for many years and was always happy with the service. I left because we moved too far away to continue going there.

I found another independent who was very thorough, but the glasses were so expensive and he always overran his appointments, so it became irritating as well as pricey. The most recent independent I’ve been to, hasn’t impressed me and I won’t return.

I go to an independent optician. The eye test isn’t really any different to the chains I have used. They do offer a more personal feeling service. They also constantly try to push varifocals and bifocals on me.I only need reading glasses so they would be pointless. They also sell only a limited range of frames and are more expensive than the chains. I know many people who can’t get on with varifocals. My DH has a complicated prescription and he has separate glasses for distance,reading and computer work. I don’t rate Specsavers very highly but it might depend on where you are. My DS goes to Vision Express in a large city and likes them. My late DM used to go to Boots opticians and they were very good with her as she got older. We have an Eye Plan insurance that we pay monthly for and it includes a yearly eye test and good discounts on glasses when you buy them.

for us, independent, optician.

My son has a high prescription and we've been going to the same opticians since he was a toddler. They know us and my son feels comfortable going there.

The only downside is they don't have such a wide selection of frames and the ones they do have are more expensive than say spec savers.

I have a similar prescription to you. I swapped from my local well regarded independent optician to Specsavers as he kept getting my prescription wrong. Specsavers have got my glasses right every time. I guess it depends on the optician.

I wouldn't use a chain.

I've got a very complex prescription - i have 3 pairs of glasses AND contacts.

I go to my local optician. They're amazing. They've actually taken over my need to go for hospital appointments and they do everything

I'm literally on first name terms with the staff. In my experience a small independent has been a different league to a chain

Mine has been better. Two chain ones didn’t take any notice of me saying my glasses felt odd to me. The independent has taken comfort of vision into account.

I went to an independent last time because I couldn't find any frames the right size for me in the chains. Struck gold as they had a good range of frames good range of prices. The glasses I got cost the usual arm and leg, but fitted beautifully and have been the best pair in years.

The only downside is a long wait for an appointment.

My script isn't as complex, I just get glasses and contacts. I wouldn't recommend supersavers at all.
Branch in central london spent weeks replacing my frames with my 'new' lens prescription. They didn't though. They replaced them with the exact same strength of lens and then denied it was the case- even though I kept saying they weren't any clearer.
I tried another specsavers 2hrs from there, and they were equally as shite!
Went to an independent who are great.

It's a bloody minefield! What is important is the optician themself, whether they be at a chain or independent. Its not as simple as all independents are better- often they came from the chains originally then set up on their own. As for Specsavers, they're all franchises, with the main optician the owner, so in many ways they're not dissimilar to independents.

My problem, like you OP, is that the slightest error has the biggest impact and its hard to say if theres such a thing as a perfect prescription. Time of day, tiredness all affect the result. Then there are so many margins of error when they make up the specs, there are tolerances would you believe, so the finished product can be a few degrees out (if you have astigmatism). And dont get me started on base curves. Its enough to drive you mad!

I have a complex prescription, astigmatism and varifocals too. I've used independent opticians for years but tried Boots opticians last time. Never again! Prescription wrong first time around so a second consultation and new lenses fitted (without new glasses for a week whilst this was done). New glasses arrived and broke within a week. All replaced free of charge but I wouldn't go back. Independent for me next time.

I used to use Specsavers and then switched to Brillen, which closed.
Last time I needed glasses I thought i would support a local independendt and they were great but 1 pair of glasses plus sunglasses cost over £500.
DD went to Specsavers a week later and got the same for £150

My friend’s brother is an optometrist and he advised going to an independent optician for your sight test because they tend to be more thorough, but you can usually get specs cheaper at a chain. I wear lenses though so I get a discount on my specs with my opticians.

I have a similar prescription. I'm currently using Boots (who took over the previous independent) and have no complaints. Because my eyes are so bad, I usually get handed over to the most experienced person to do the eye test (eventually - the juniors tend to freak when they try looking into my eyes). I started with varifocals the time before last - the initial fitter got the measurements (pupil placing etc) slightly off and they were unusable. I went back and got handed over to their expert who got it all just right - and now they stick with his measurements to get things right, which seems to be working. I have one of the most experienced dispensers telling me to come to her and not let anyone else do the fitting. The nice thing is that there are multiple people, but I end up with the really good ones. prior to varifocals,I want to a different chain locally - once. The glasses were unwearable. I suspect Boots vary, but I am happy with our local one.