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Original poster

Opticians: have I been 'ripped off'

20 replies

MrsOnTheMove · 01/10/2013 15:37

I've not had an eye test for 20+ years so booked myself in for an appointment today (was told £39.50 for exam) I've been having some problems with tired, dry eyes and have noticed a change slight change in vision.

So I have the initial test with one of reception staff then go to have main exam. I need eye drops 4 x day have blocked glands on eye? which require heat compress, shortsighted vision, more so in one eye plus a recommendation for distance glasses for driving as well (I have noticed driving at night causing problems) and cornea thickness levels at top of scale so am required to have a retinol photograph at another practice to rule out other problems!

So the exam (due to paying for extra appointment and tests on Thursday) was £135 Shock and the medication nearly £40... I get 10% off glasses (which I'm yet to choose or pay for)

DH will have a flip! Am I out of touch? Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsOnTheMove · 01/10/2013 15:55

.

OP posts:
youbethemummylion · 01/10/2013 15:58

Seems steep for original eye test, its free at Tescos. Dont know about cost of treatment etc tho

gamerchick · 01/10/2013 15:59

Where did you go? I'm desperate for a visit somewhere and would like to avoid that one.

Original poster
MrsOnTheMove · 01/10/2013 16:10

It was an independent of sorts, the local branch is small and they have three other places in the area. I was avoiding going into town which would have been a faff.

The price of the original exam seemed ok as it was about same price as others in area.

Can I get the prescription for the lenses from them and purchase elsewhere?

I only paid a part of cost today and pay the rest on Thursday. The eye drops have helped though Grin I hadn't realised how dry my eyes were.
Expensive eye drops Grin

OP posts:
youbethemummylion · 01/10/2013 16:13

Yep you can take your prescription anywhere

specialsubject · 01/10/2013 16:17

if you've had no eye care in 20 years you are lucky nothing has gone wrong. I hope the 'blocked glands' are not glaucoma. You are also lucky not to have had an uninsured car crash by the sound of it - have you checked your vision with the number plate test?

so rather than anyone 'flipping', be grateful.

you can take your prescription anywhere although it can take some arguing. Due to a loophole, they aren't obliged to tell you the pupil distance, although you might be able to get this out of them - without that you can't buy frames.

Original poster
MrsOnTheMove · 01/10/2013 16:17

So maybe I take the prescription elsewhere and in future avoid the independent!

will break the news gently to DH Grin

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 01/10/2013 16:22

£40 for eye drops?? That sounds like a rip off in itself.

magso · 01/10/2013 17:32

Sounds like you are paying for additional tests (retinal photography?) and time, that are not part of a routine eye exam. If you think of the cost of any professional time (and other services from car servicing to tree lopping) it can be very costly. They should have explained the extra charges to you - I hope they did! I have had to pay to see my asthma specialist privately once and the going rate for an appointment (20 minutes) is about £ 135 - £180 so it sounds about right. Just not used to it for eye care. The drops sound very costly - could your GP prescribe them in future?

LittleNoona · 01/10/2013 19:07

Sounds like they saw you coming.

What drops do you have?

Why do they want to photograph your retinas? Are you diabetic? How much for that?

Original poster
MrsOnTheMove · 01/10/2013 21:58

Sorry I have been out.

With regards to some of the points above.
I have noticed how uncomfortable I am driving at night with bright headlights. Thus DH has done any driving recently until I got my eyes checked, thus avoiding any accidents.

The £135 includes an eye examination, retinal photography, OCT scan and something else (I've forgotten)

The eye drops were £39.50 for 2 packs (one for evening and one for day time), which in future I will try and source elsewhere.

I am apparently short sighted which requires glasses but also have a problem with distance correction?
The reason for the scans is due to blocked glands and cornea thickness reading was high. I wore glasses for reading when at University 20+ years ago but have never wore them since.

I'm usually very cautious with my health and have regular check-ups, due to a serious illness a few years ago. I'm not sure why I haven't had my eyes checked Hmm

OP posts:
mmmdonuts · 01/10/2013 22:00

I've found many independent opticians to be v expensive compared to major chains.

Tesco is v v cheap but their reputation for thoroughness isn't great.

Go with Boots, I would recommend...

idiot55 · 01/10/2013 22:03

Younhave been ripped off, opticians need more regulation.

Here in scotland, i had full exam with photos, glaucoma test, visual fields , all free.

Original poster
MrsOnTheMove · 01/10/2013 22:05

Many thanks for your replies.

An expensive lesson learned, but at least my eyes are being checked and treated. I'll go elsewhere next time!

OP posts:
Mabelface · 01/10/2013 22:09

I would think that you could get the drops on prescription from your GP

omaoma · 01/10/2013 22:13

you can indeed have both short sight and long sight at the same time (sadly).
I would be a bit Hmm though if they gave you all these tests without advising you of their cost beforehand - surely that's just bad practice, if not a trading standards issue? I'd be tempted to go back in and ask to speak to the manager, tell him nicely you didn't mention it yesterday as were a bit in shock but having gathered yourself, you wanted to ask him why they didn't tell you about these charges before doing the tests as you'd only gone in for an eye test, and what their policy normally is on that type of thing?
defo go somewhere else for the glasses.

omaoma · 01/10/2013 22:13

tbh last time i went to the opticians they tested my field of vision without any extra charge and sent me to the eye hospital for further tests on the nhs.

nancerama · 01/10/2013 22:24

I have problems with dry eyes. Optrex dry eye drops cost about £ 3 a bottle and are fine. They were recommended to my by the consultant at the local eye hospital.

LordElpuss · 02/10/2013 13:05

If your job involves using a computer, you used to be able to get the cost of an eye test paid by your employer. Is this still the case?

I would ask the optician if your GP could have prescribed the eyedrops. Also, could further tests be done at NHS.

I was making an appt with a new optician this morning and there was a notice on the desk saying they had a new machine which took retinol photos and the cost for this test was £13.

SallRight · 02/10/2013 13:19

I had an eye test at boots last Saturday, took in a half price voucher dh found online. The charge was 12.50. It included three tests as well as the vision checks which were done beforehand by another person - the puff of air one, the one where they get you to look at a little house down a lane through a machine and the retina photograph. I then brought away my prescription and got some off the shelf reading glasses from sainsburys for 15.50.

I have wised up after the last time(first time I needed reading glasses). As last time I merrily followed the staff to the designer stand bought two pairs and spent over 200! And they were hardly worn as that time the prescription was fairly minimal and it took a long time to get into the habit.Blush

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