to think Boots Opticians could mention 'the rules' in a letter

[LisasCat]

Apparently 'the rules' say that they can't give out a prescription of contact lenses if your sight test is overdue. So perhaps they could mention that in the letter they send, reminding me that my sight test is overdue. Or they could mention it in the telephone message saying that my contact lenses are now in stock if I'd like to pick them up.

Either way, would it kill them to mention it to the 8 month pregnant woman who has a 50 minute round trip by foot to get into town to pick up the aforementioned sodding contact lenses, which she is then not going to be allowed to collect because of 'the rules'!

And before you ask, I didn't book my sight test because in my previous pregnancy my sight was all over the place, so I was waiting until the baby is born and my vision settles down. Otherwise, it strikes me as bloody pointless to have a sight test now anyway.

So apologies to the poor 18 year old lad on the front desk who had to deal with the crying hormonal woman, but perhaps tell head office not to be twats with their communication next time.

*an ophthalmologist is a doctor specialising in eyes, usually found in a hospital/clinic setting

an ophthalmic optician or optometrist (more modern term) will be the one examining your eyes in a high street optician (chain or local one man band)*

Oh, I stand corrected. I had forgotten that. It's been a long time!

Pipbin - I've had exactly same experience of ophthalmologists on locus work from hospitals! Quick test, no notes!! :)

Shlurpbob - you are right sorry - my optician said mine were ok for sleeping in when i was at my check up and said i know i was wrong sleeping in them on the on occasion.

Laurie - Well that is strange, Just looked at feelgoodcontacts website and they clearly say you need to provide opticians details and prescription expiry date so even worse. They know they law and are breaking it when they supply them to you.

Opps locum not locus :)

Nursey - Most welcome you know are being naughty. At least you do wear your glasses which is good.

Honest - sorry for being blunt, I'm like the optical police! :)

On the subject of online lenses, some retailers will call the optical practice to check that the information given is correct before sending the lenses (last contact lens check, prescription etc). They all should, but not all do unfortunately.

Silicone hydrogel lenses are OK for sleeping in as they allow more oxygen through. In fact there are some lenses that are designed so you can keep them all night. Night and Day was one variety, I can't remember the other but I used to wear them years ago.
Now I wear Acuvue Oasis, which are super comfy and are silicone hydrogel too.

Shurlp - No apologies necessary. Blunt on this subject is good. I see (sorry could not resist) you know what you are taking about.

I do like to keep my eye on these things :)

Ha ha! (need to get out more)

Boots let me know 3 days before Xmas that I would not be getting anymore lenses unless I came in for an aftercare.

I managed to get in and the optician recommended a different brand of contact lenses. I agreed, big mistake. Since then they missed sending me lenses for a month, sent me emergency lenses in the wrong prescription, would not send me more lenses in the right prescription without me going in for another aftercare.

I said forget it, send me my old brand in the correct prescription. They said ok. They then sent me 3 months supply in the new brand with the wrong prescription. I am now wearing these despite them giving me wonky vision, as I cannot summon the energy to complain again.

I've been wearing Night and Day for about 8 years, tried Acuvue Oasis as well as Night and Day as a trial when my prescription changed last year but Night and Day were better for me so I've stuck with them.

I don't sleep in them all the time (once a week max) but it's lovely waking up and not having to fumble for glasses (I'm blind as a bat).

Shlurpbop - Good that we see eye to eye on this matter.

Woah's post is spot on.

Contact lenses are a medical device and can only be issued on prescription, which is usually valid for 12 months. It's up to you to manage you life accordingly.

As bubbub explained its common practice also when you have a teach for lenses and when you sign up to bvp that a checklist is filled in and signed by the patient who checks and signs to say the following has been discussed and understood, eye hygine, cost, bvp and the importance and consequences of keeping or not keeping regular aftercares. you should have been given a copy. It's amazing how many people forget deny ever doing this.

As for buying lenses online - all well and good, but they are cheaper for a reason - they provide zero aftercare and advice. When you have a problem (or simply need your prescription re-issuing) you can't go running to your local optician's and expect them to check your eyes for free when you aren't buying anything from them. it's like buying your car off one dealer and expecting another to be obliged to service it for life, for free!

I agree, I did buy online for a few years because of the massive cost saving, but I had had the same lenses with absolutely no problems for two or three years and 20 years of a previous type before that, I wouldn't have done it otherwise.

I've gone back onto the care scheme now with my new optician because I had a couple of minor incidents that I wanted checking out last year, plus needing a new prescription, plus being at higher risk of detached retinas due to v. strong prescription and I like being able to get a check whenever I want it now.

not very good customer service, but it's the law.

FWIW Specsavers sent me a letter saying that my prescription was about to run out with enough time to reorder. But I've finally got this in sync with my checkup so it wasn't a problem.

perhaps try them?

Fox but of course they can be a necessity if they are the only form of lenses someone has. I don't disagree that everyone should take responsibility for their health and eye site but unfortunately people often don't. 'Computer says no' could be more dangerous than limited supply until test booked or stop taking money.

Asda opticians did the same to me so I went home and ordered my lenses online. Ha!

No one is questioning the check, it's having no warning and your lenses witheld!

My optician does this - but very kindly gave me one set of my usual fortnightly disposable lenses when I was overdue a sight test, which seems like a reasonable thing to do.

Specsavers have always made it very clear that I won't get my lenses if I don't have regular checks and they do send out reminder letters too.

Nursery as someone who nearly lost their eye due to poor contact lense habits (many years ago) I beg you to look after your eyes better. I can not tell you the monumental bollocking the hospital gave me at the time!

That would help, sirchenin, but even two weeks isn't really long enough for most people to get an appointment between work and childcare and all the usual faff most of us have going on. I'd need probably 6-8 week notice to get an appointment. Surely it's not hard to send out an automatic email?

My optician sends out a reminder (I just ignored it ) - maybe time to change your opticians? Fwiw, I've always found Vision Express to be really good, and were able to fit me in on one of the 2 weekends during that fortnight, so I was able to attend between f/t work, childcare, etc.

Maybe re-read the posts about onine buying paragirl1981

I wear soft lenses that last for months and buy them on line. Because of the prescription, they have to be specially ordered and I wait a couple of weeks for them. Eyesite is a very good opticians and I always go there for my eye tests but I do not go frequently –because it costs nearly £90--. Yes, if your prescription is a year old, you are unable to get any more lenses until you have a more up to date prescription so I buy a good few couples of lenses to last 2 or 3 years.

As for Boots, well! A side came off a pair of spectacles so I took them to town to get them put together again. Boots wanted to charge me so I took them elsewhere where the repair was done for no charge – Eyesite has a loyal customer here (for tests, anyway). I also buy the cleaning solutions online.

TodayIsAGoodDay Yes, you can take the prescription away from your optician (its yours, not theirs) and order online. They'll keep a copy anyway. As I've said above, that's how I do it - because the same lenses from the optician would cost about £50 more.... Whose eyes are checked at no cost? Even my basic NHS eye test causes me to spend money.

No reputable online supplier should be selling you more than a year's worth. You could get round it by trying to get them from two different places, but really, is it worth risking your eyes?