Weird experience at opticians

[Billyandharry]

Took my 17 yr old for an eye test today. We basically got a right telling off for using her prescription and ordering lenses on line (about one third of the price of the cost at the opticians). The optician was just so rude and judgey about this - made me feel like the worst mum ever. I just wondered what does everyone else do re contacts?

Direct debit scheme via optician- aftercare and annual check up is included. Occasionally order some cheaper ones online if I run out.

I do the same as you. I can get 3 months worth online for the amount the opticians charge for one month

I used to go to specsavers and get the lenses posted out, but for astigmatism it cost a minimum of £22 a month I think. My eyes also dry quickly so I need permeable ones.
The ones that were comfy were nearly £40 a month so I buy them online from a place where they cost me just over £40 for 3 months worth.
I need another test soon so I will just go somewhere else I think - I can imagine they would be quite judgey.

Did he explain why? Could it be there are some sites where there have been issues/problems with the quality of the lenses?

Optician is out of order. You can buy them wherever you want.

So in short, exactly what
sparepantsandtoothbrush said

I had this!! I was really quite horrified and said I’ll buy my glasses and lenses from wherever I see fit thank you.
I like to support independent opticians but I now just go to Specsavers who don’t give a flying fart if you buy glasses from them afterwards.

I buy my glasses from Glasses Direct. I'd go to a friendlier person at the optician's next time.

My specsavers were like this, so I go elsewhere now. I think it depends on the individual optician, not the chain name.

I get my lenses from Vision direct website, £24 for 60 daily lenses super comfy including delivery - if I went through any optician it’s around £40

They hate it because you're doing them out of a job! I had a similar experience once years ago when I was a student and couldn't afford to pay for the subscription service at the opticians, so used to buy lenses online from Ireland.

Whilst it was unpleasant, I wouldn't worry about it.

Your optician was being unreasonable and just trying to guilt you into signing up for one of their schemes. I shut down any optician who starts with that kind of rubbish....too long in the tooth for it and frankly it's none of their business how I deal with my eyes.

It's a local independent optician (gave up on specsavers as they always run late) but honestly she was so effing rude I think I might go back. She made me feel an inch tall (am already stressed about money ffs) I've made a complaint and taking my custom elsewhere next time.

She was also weird about not answering my questions and directed all conversation at daughter (17) I kind of get this but it's me that's paying at the end of the day. Crap customer care.

Had she already been fitted to contact lenses before you bought online? How long since her last contact lens check for eye health?

I've had this in an independent shop. She found me "the cheapest" option, which obviously wasn't something which suited me nor a pair I liked, and it was still hundreds of pounds (I have a high prescription, need thinned lenses etc).

I had to actually say to her "I do not have that much money in my bank account" to get her to stop chivvying me into purchasing these ugly and unsuitable glasses, it was horrible. I've never been back.

How do people go about buying glasses frames online? I'm scared to buy them and then apparently you need to ask an optician to fit them/make sure they fit right? How on earth can you ask that if you don't buy them from that shop?!? Would Specsavers do it if you got your prescription there, but glasses online from elsewhere?

@NCForQuestions she got lenses fitted at the opticians nearly a year ago and then we went online after a couple of months . Had a sight test today (new specs £220) and booked us in for a £40 lense check on Sat which I don't think we'll go to.There's ways of saying things that don't make people feel crap/poor :(

As I understand it, your prescription can be slightly different in glasses vs lenses as the lenses sit right on the eyeball. So therefore if you just use the glasses prescription to order lenses, you may not be getting the best results. I had this explained to me when I asked why my daughter came out with 2 different prescriptions.

Also she does need a lens check regularly to check the health of the eye.

But there is no need to be rude to you or make you feel small.

I buy my glasses online as well. They never fit particularly well but are so much cheaper.

But I don't admit to this when I go for an eye test, as I can see why it's a bit of a slap in the face to them. I just say I'll come back another day to choose frames.

How do opticians make money if everyone buys glasses online? Is it just from the sight tests? I can't even remember if I paid for my sight tests, are they on the NHS?

But also because contact lenses are a medical device and should only be supplied be a suitably qualified provider. Most of the online suppliers are unregulated non professional sellers. The fit and vision of the contact lens needs to be verified and the additional health implications of using contact lenses need to be monitored, especially in children.
Money is tight for everyone, but if something goes wrong and often it can with contact lens use, a professional will need to be paid for their expertise to manage and treat the problem. And if you buy your lenses online, any issues can end up costing a lot of money to resolve because contact lens related issues are not funded by the NHS.

It’s great, you can choose several frames to try for free (they fit through the letterbox) then to buy them you just enter the prescription details from your optician and a measurement (can’t remember exactly but it might have been distance between eyes or something).

I was pissed off with my opticians as my last glasses had broken at the hinge and they practically laughed at me as I had had them for 5 years and apparently they are not supposed to last that long - can’t be fixed 🙄

No, they won't fit or adjust someone else's frame because they cannot source a replacement if it ends up damaged or broken. Generally anyway, they're franchised so this may vary store to store. Independents may do it, but will charge.

I think the issue with online ones (I think?!?) is you don’t get the annual check up which I thought was a really important part of wearing contacts? I may just be overly cautious though as my optician picked up a problem at one of my check ups and sent me to the eye hospital so figured the check ups are pretty important.

Years ago I wouldn’t of thought twice about buying online
until I had an eye infection and scratched my lense
Honestly pay for the check up and aftercare
It’s frightening how it can quickly all go irreversibly wrong

aftercare and checkup are worth every penny
they sent me with a letter to the hospital and took on aftercare

Absolutely nothing wrong with buying contacts online so long as

• the prescription is in date
• you’re buying the brand fitted by the opticians (the manufacturer brand, not the opticians own branding which they will add on top to sell in store).
• you’re still going for regular contact lens check ups.

you’re under no obligation to buy lenses from your optician.