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Which optician do you use for your children/

13 replies

Tiggiwinkle · 17/03/2005 10:55

I have used Dollond and Aitchison for 15+ years. But I rang yesterday to make an appointments for my DSs eye tests and was told they could not make any appointments for children as they are fully booked for "these" appointments until the middle of April and the "system" will not allow them to go beyond that date.
I than said I did not really want to take them in the normal "childrens" slot which is apparently after 4.00pm on schooldays, as the shop is very difficult to get to and park near at that time of day. Also DS5 in paticular would not cope well with having to wait around and then have his eyes tested so late in the day. I intended taking them in the morning and sending them into school a bit late, if they could not fit them in in the Easter holidays. I was then told that they could not possibly see any children other than after 4.00pm, and if the receptionist made such an appointment head office would ring and tell her to cancel it!
This seemed ridiculous to me, so I rang Head office who confirmed they have no such policy-they merely recommend that branches book children after 4.00. The HO was to ring my local branch this morning and get back to me, but I am now so fed up with them I would like to go elsewhere.
So, does anyone have any recommendations-are any of the big chains particularly good with children?

OP posts:
KathH · 17/03/2005 11:04

ours go to Boots - only because when dd1 (12) was about 8 she started getting slight headaches and gp recommended getting her eyes tested. We went to Boots and were very impressed as they said she didnt need glasses - they could have easily conned us and said she needed them with a very weak prescription if that makes sense!

Lonelymum · 17/03/2005 11:10

I just go to an independent optician - I just choose one I like the look of on the outside! I prefer the medical look as opposed to the trendy look IYSWIM. When my ds1 needed glasses, I just made an appt for him and he was seen almost immediately and had his glasses within a week. I have never heard such nonsense as you have had to endure from D and A.

GeorginaA · 17/03/2005 11:23

Vision Express - the one in Worcester is FANTASTIC with small children - she's really patient, cheery and winning. Ds1 enjoys himself!!

NomDePlume · 17/03/2005 11:25

Even though she smokes and whiffs a bit.....

NomDePlume · 17/03/2005 11:25

DH and I also use Vision Express in the Crowngate.

NomDePlume · 17/03/2005 11:25

DH and I also use Vision Express in the Crowngate.

GeorginaA · 17/03/2005 11:31

Does she?! Hadn't even noticed and I'm usually hypersensitive to smoke

Gawd, I'm so unobservant these days... baby brain.

Pamina3 · 17/03/2005 11:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NomDePlume · 17/03/2005 13:05

Do you use Jayne/Jane ? She either smells of fags and/or perfume masking fags. Yeuch

GeorginaA · 17/03/2005 13:26

Don't know her name - she's young (about our age), pretty short-sighted herself, long brown hair usually tied back, softly spoken.

NomDePlume · 17/03/2005 13:29

Ahhhhhhhhhh, not the same woman ! Jayne/Jane is mid forties (ish), short bobbed dark hair, no specs. Perfectly nice woman. She may well be the contacts specialist, IYSWIM.

Fimbo · 17/03/2005 13:34

Boots here as well. Very kind and patient with dd and no problem getting an appointment for a Saturday morning. Dh and I have our glasses from there and dd used to love pulling out the trays and trying the childrens ones on!! She was most put out when the optician said she didn't need glasses as she really wanted them!!

GeorginaA · 17/03/2005 15:01

LOL Fimbo - ds1 was the same, had to head off a tantrum in the making when he realised he wasn't going to get a pair and there was me feeling relieved that he didn't need any yet!

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