AIBU to think Specsavers ripped me off?

[Snugglepumpkin]

I went to have my eyes tested to get new glasses & found out I have quite a lot of macular degeneration - I am not old enough for it to be counted as Age Related as it apparently was there when I was in my 30s but I don't have any more info than that.
I just thought my eyesight problems were because my old glasses were the wrong prescription.

I have memory problems which I think might be worse than I realised as Specsavers records say they told me I had it over ten years ago but I have absolutely no recollection of that.

So, that all hasn't exactly sunk in yet because for me it's like it's the first time I've heard about this & I find it hard to retain details of conversations so I can't remember now exactly what he said apart from giving me a grid to look at every day & to make a new appointment when the distortions get larger or spread to other areas.
He gave me no information in writing apart from my prescription.

Went downstairs to pick out & pay for new glasses and the woman said to me 'Oh, it says on your file that the optician says you HAVE to have the UltraClear Superclean lens coating with your prescription, it's £30 extra per pair (I got the 2 for 1 offer)

I do know he never mentioned that to me, I wouldn't have lost that information in the time it takes to pick out a pair of frames - it takes a few days before I can't remember stuff, but I felt like I had to have them because an optician wouldn't tell a disabled single parent to spend that much extra for no reason would they?

I felt really uncomfortable paying the extra which I frankly couldn't afford whilst feeling obliged to do it as it was apparently the opticians advice.

I have been googling but I cannot find anything to say that this £30 extra Ultra Clean coating has any medical benefit at all, which means I've thrown away money I don't have spare on a bloody sales gimmick from Specsavers.

So, AIBU to feel ripped off or does someone actually know of a sound scientific reason why I should have paid the extra money for this finish?

As far as I can see it just makes your glasses slightly more scratch resistant & easier to clean.

Buy glasses online in future. I've found it to be a game changer and I've even managed to order and elderly relative's glasses online and saved her some ££ too.

Just get your eyes tested, keep hold of your prescription and take it from there.

On a side note, are you getting any help / advice re: your memory problems?

I think what is wrong is the way things are not properly explained, how they are looking to make more moeny from you - they make their money selling frames, lenses and coatings of assorted varieties BUT they are not properly outlining to people what these are all for and on two for one - one charge and one free so not sure why they were charging you for both. I think service can vary as many are franchises rather than direct SS shops and as such there is less control. I use Vision Express but again have had concerns about them of the same ilk.

With regard to the Macular Degeneration I would also speak to your GP to try and get a referal to a specialist who can help monitor any degeneration and take any action/provide proper advice. Long term this could lead to you being registered blind, loosing driving licenses and potentially even your job at a much younger age than normal due to your age

Great advice on her about how to monitor and help your Macular degeneration. Just one thing to clarify.. no they don't get commission, they are on an hourly rate no matter what they sell. If you are at all worried as many have said call them or pop in ask to speak to someone about your worries and what options you have.
(Work for Specsavers just to be upfront)

OP - from the posts it seems like the staff were correct, but what would annoy me is that fact that the optometrist didn't mention it and so it felt like you were being taken advantage of.

So I think YANBU to feel that way and they should have been clearer in your consultation.

Hi, I work for Specsavers, but we are all separate stores so I have no obligations to whichever store you went to. Our Ultra Clear Super Clean does multiple things to help everyone in general not just someone with macular. The optom probably recommend it as it can not stop the degeneration but it does slow it down. I have it on all my glasses and I would NEVER have a pair of glasses without it in one form or another. If you would like to ask any further questions about the product, your health or Specsavers please feel free and make sure to keep looking at your chart.

Omzlas
Buy glasses online in future. I've found it to be a game changer and I've even managed to order and elderly relative's glasses online and saved her some ££ too.

I don't think that's good advice for anyone who might have macular degeneration. It needs to be monitored. When your eyes are tested in Specsavers (and I imagine most opticians) they take photos of the back of your eye and can see what's going on.

Thank you.

The staff were all perfectly nice & I already have multiple distortions that show on the grid thing if I look at it but whatever else the optician said has already all slipped away.
I do know I was not given any diet advice etc... or I would have insisted on writing it down at the time & it's not in my notebook.
I have written nothing but had m d for +10 years do grid test every day.
I'm concerned I won't remember to do the test, or if I do that I won't remember which wobbly lines etc... were already there last time I looked at it so how would I don't know how I would know if there is a change to tell anyone about.

I'm just turned 50 by the way (someone asked upthread)
I don't' have a driving licence to lose so I'm not a danger on the roads.

I was told if you get the 2 for 1 you don't get any other offer free like the coating options as they can't be combined which I thought was fair enough, so could have one pair with coating free or two pairs for the price of one (& I lose them so wanted a spare because I cannot clearly see 3m away without my glasses on) but I have to pay on top for any extras.

My NHS voucher says A+ A/E which I was told was £38.10 so that is what they deducted from the total cost.

Based on what everyone else has replied I think I will keep the coating & vote myself a little bit unreasonable.
Any help is better than none, but I do wish they had perhaps explained more clearly why instead of just saying 'the optician said'

@Juells the pp who recommended buying glasses online specifically said “just get your eyes tested, keep hold of your prescription and take it from there”. So you’d still get all the health checks and the eye test, you just get the frames and lenses cheaper by buying online.

Just a little point (slightly off track I know) but if everyone decided to have a test then buy specs online how long before all high street opticians close? Then you'll have a system like France and the USA where you have to pay hundreds for the test with an Optometrist. And no the NHS fee doesn't anywhere near cover the cost.

notcopingwellhere thank you. By getting your eyes tested, the optician will spot any problems, monitor any ongoing conditions etc etc.

juells Thanks for your comment but reread what I said. I didn't recommend the OP not having their eyes tested, simply that ordering glasses online is cheaper. The optician (optometrist?) Will be able to monitor any issues. My DH has an eye condition and this was spotted during a routine eye test. He still orders online and SS are aware of the issue, have all photographs etc on file. They have no issue with him ordering online.

Just to be clear as there is some misleading information in previous posts. An ultra clear lens coating does not slow down any form of macular pathology in any way! There is some fantastic advice on using your grid and diet though.
If you have had some form of macular degeneration since the age of 40 I am very surprised you have not been offered a referral into a medical retina clinic within the hospital eye department. Unfortunately there is unlikely to be any treatment they can offer but as you correctly said in your first post this is not age related macula degeneration. There may be a genetic element and you could be offered referral for genetics testing. Also if you are struggling with your sight in any way there can be lots of support available in the form of low vision services in your area.

They did exactly the same to me with the lens coating. They said the optician said I must have it. I agreed in front of the optician and then when I paid the salesperson I took it off and said I’m only having basic lenses. Maybe you should write a letter and complain that you were not given proper advice.

The reason the ulteaclear coatings are so good...the lack of reflections increase the clarity of the lens is almost 10% clearer than the uncovered version so you see better.the UV component is different but is helpful to prevent or reduce more degeneration and reduce incidence of cataract.i have never understood that if you don't want something to accept it if money is a problem.just refuse.its not obligatory even if it was recommended.thats what it is..a recommendation not a mandatory option.if you can afford it great.if not ...

Specsavers staff dont work on commission

I would disagree here. What about the UV blocking element of the MAR/Ultraclear coating.

Here is a great PDF download from the Macula Society in the UK. They have a section of UV exposure and lots of other helpful advice OP might find useful.

www.macularsociety.org/sites/default/files/downloads/Macular%20Society%20Protecting%20your%20eyes%20accessible%20pdf%20JUN%2017.pdf

@Soundasapound
Thank you that pdf was really helpful.
Also realised if I sign up for their newsletter etc... they'll keep sending it which will keep reminding me so I don't completely forget again.

Ultra clear doesn’t include a uv block based on their marketing literature for adult glasses. I completely agree a uv filter would be beneficial

As usual, there’s some bollocks being talked here.

Nobody should be suggesting that the lens coating will slow the progress of macular degeneration.

Also if you want advice about the health of your eyes, including macular degeneration, you need to ask the optometrist, not the dispensing optician.

If you think you want to be referred for an eye condition, again ask the optometrist, not your GP. It is an optometrist’s job, and most GPs don’t really know that much about eyes.

Don’t buy glasses online. They are not and cannot possibly be, measured up properly. This is a crucial part of getting good vision without headaches etc.

Optometrist here too....Not for Specsavers now but I was for years. Agree with @soundasapound , it would be of benefit so you haven't been ripped off, they just could have been clearer when explainng why a coating would be beneficial

I've lost all faith with specsavers
I recently had an eye test with them for varifocals (have worn them for years with no problem)
Had the eye test, I was told there wasn't much change in my prescription but I said I wanted new glasses anyway.
All good, chose frames, glasses made.
When I picked up glasses I couldn't see a thing! the customer service lady said take them home and wear them and I will get used to them.
Well I tried for 2 weeks, couldn't wear them as I couldn't see!
Specsavers didn't want to know, wouldn't re test and was adamant the glasses were fine.
I paid to have another eye test elsewhere (Costco were fab and the test was much more in depth than specsavers)
The Costco prescription was totally different!!
Specsavers finally agreed to make new glasses but would not refund my eye test charge. They couldn't tell me why the prescription was so different
I won't use Specsavers again.
If anyone who works at Specsavers can explain how they can get a prescription wrong I'd love to know!!

@Hoppybunny I work for the company. It 100% does include UV block.

They don’t advertise is as such on lenses for adults though - only on “kids lenses” - whatever they might be.

Yes. I go to Asda now. Just go two pairs of varifocals for £120, one being sunglasses too.

@Shoppingwithmother I'm not sure how much evidence you need for this but I've already posted a direct link to the macular society, a UK based macular charity, who advise on the benefits of UV protection.

Here's an article from the investigative ophthalmology and visual science journal which also tells us that there are benefits in blocking UV light for our eyes. The conclusion reads:

iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2266015

Conclusions.: This study further confirms the increased risk for cataract extraction in subjects exposed to high ambient UVR. Moreover, it suggests that risk for early AMD is increased in subjects exposed to high UVR, but also to low UVR, by comparison with medium exposures.

Like with all research, there will be some studies that say there definitely is a benefit, and some say that the benefit is not certain, but if there is a suggestion that it 'could' be beneficial, then I for one would absolutely want to be doing everything I can to try to protect my sight. We can only go with what we believe to be true right now.

I'm an optometrist and am currently doing a PhD into dry AMD and we are looking at risk factors that can encourage the development and progression of macular conditions so this is an interesting area to me.

Please don't shoot down people who are trying to give factual advice. We are all just trying to help.

As for a referral to a medical retina clinic, it really depends on the situation, type of problem, severity of macular change, whether these are just drusen still with good 6/5 vision. We can't really comment on a referral without knowing the full picture so if OP is inclined to want a referral it will need to be discussed with GP or Optometrist.

You never HAVE to get anything. They can recommend it, and it’ll be for clarity more than anything as it’ll let more light through the lenses by taking away surface reflections. An easy clean lens will keep that clarity longer between uses and the coating is harder and less prone to scratching.
The person selling the glasses was up selling, unsurprising as Specsavers are about the money, to be frank. They are so busy and have so many branches as they’re very well priced and get people in and out quickly.

Remember you can always take your GOS3 (yellow NHS voucher) elsewhere, just ask for it next time if you don’t feel comfortable.

They may or may not have mentioned your MD 10+ years ago, if it’s written in your notes the optometrist can only tell you what it says. Sadly I’ve known many optometrists who find things they perceive as minor as they see it so often and say nothing, they just write it down to be checked on again next time.
If they haven’t fully explained to patients what it means, or given further information out other than a name people don’t generally follow it up, they won’t write it on a prescription usually.

I hope you remain mostly unaffected as long as possible, MD is awful.