My Specs

[CaramelE150d]

My specs are really on their last legs and I don’t think the prescription is right for me any longer.

Would you book an eye test at the moment? I’m comfortable going but didn’t know if this was “non-essential”.

I could order new specs online but I’d need to use the old prescription.

Eye tests are essential and I've taken my kids to Vision Express as they needed replacement glasses. (I wanted to make a Barnard Castle joke but perhaps not. )

Went a couple of weeks ago, all very safe and as Covid secure as anything is going to be. I would definitely go.

I went today. Lots of precautions in place but it’s obviously unavoidable that there will be a fair amount of close contact. So I would make your decision based on your level of risk.

Thanks all. I’m low risk so I think I’ll book in.

I went a few weeks ago, as @SatsumasOrClementines says lots of precautions in place, had to wait outside until appointment time, hand san at entrance, all customers and staff wore masks. I was fine with it overall although there were quite a lot of people in quite a small space (Specsavers, so 2 or 3 opticians I think, plus maybe 4 or 5 other staff and maybe 3 or 4 customers). Quite a small branch though, narrow corridor etc whereas the previous Specsavers I used to go to is a huge open space. A smaller independent optician might just be you, one optician and a reception/frames person, but I guess you will know your own one from previous visits?

Ordering online you need a prescription from within the last 2 years (although some places were flexible on this in the first lockdown, not sure about now). But not much point if you think you need an updated prescription anyway...

I went last weekend, great precautions but harder to test properly with mask on as well as the eye drops etc. I have complex eye problems though and seem to have a big change in prescription I’ve actually got to go back again this weekend as optician is not 100 per cent that he has the prescription correct and wants to double check. He is an extremely experienced optician who has seen me for a number of years so it’s not that he’s not up to the job it’s just that all the precautions do get a bit in the way. I’m happy to go back and it is essential.

Long story, but I've had to be in the opticians 11 times since September for eye tests and fittings, and because of the nature of glasses and steaming have had to remove my mask on occasions to actually see to do the tests. The optician and fitting staff all took every possible precaution and I wouldn't risk damaging eye health and sight by not gong, even for covid.