Sight test taken by an assistant - is this normal?

[Yatzydog]

I went for an eye test. I had all the preliminary checks taken by an "optician's assistant", as it said on her badge. She then went onto do the whole sight test. She had my previous prescription. I felt my eye sight has got slightly worse. I got new glasses. Now I feel that there isn't any change at all from the previous prescription.

I will go back and insist that the actual optician checks the prescription. But is it usual for an assistant to do the actual sight test? Anyone else come across this?

That’s not normal in my experience.

Unusual, perhaps she is an optician in training?

I've never had that and wouldn't be happy with it either.

I was surprised. I didn't know if was allowed, but figured it must be. Although if it is that straightforward, why do opiticians have to have years of education?

perhaps on her final stages of training

It is normal at my opticians, they normally do the 1st set of screening tests before you see the main optician. The optician assistants are usually post graduates working towards their final post grad qualifications. They probably need a set amount of practical time similar to newly qualified Drs.

This is not a thing then? Thanks!

There was no final test with the optician. I spoke to him for 2 seconds at the end. He never checked anything. Surely there would be away of telling that they were training. Honestly, she seemed like the other assistants who get your glasses and give advice on choice.