2 eye tests, 2 opticians, 2 different prescriptions - what do I do now?

buzz55

hi,

Bit of a saga but I'll keep it as short as I can.

2 weeks ago I went for an eye test at a branch of a well known chain of opticians (am I allowed mention names?). Have gone there for the last 6 year or so, always got on ok.

I wasn't particularly happy with my eye test, mainly when I asked questions about my change in prescription I didn't get what I thought was a comprehensive answer. The optician said my prescription had changed, that he'd up the strength of my glasses from -2.5 in both eyes to -3 in both eyes, and that I could 'see how I got on' with them but that I 'might have to come back & say you can't get used to the stronger lenses'.

Today I went for a second eye test, different optician. Lo and behold, different prescription. -3 in one eye, but keeping the other eye at -2.5, plus the sphere number is different on both prescriptions. I asked for a print out of my prescription from both places as initially when I started this, I had hoped to maybe buy my glasses online.

What do I do now? Do I go for a third eye test with another optician? I could end up with a third prescription!

Help!

Misticles

ya could go for a third. or just go back to place one and ask for a recheck as you werent happy. they will oblige and when your test is done, they will explain any differences. if they dont ask. I wouldn go for a third one now tbh.

buzz55

Hadn't thought of that option, to go back to the first place (shows how confused I am).
Should/could I ask for another optician to do the eye test? And should they be able to explain why the second optician gave a different prescription?
I just dont want to have stronger glasses than I maybe need to, just because the first optician was unsure what to do...

Thanks for your help. Has anyone else had this happen to them?

Misticles

I work in an opticians. People come into us with prescriptions from other places saying theyr not happy and want to have another. Its no biggy.

It can depend on your mood and time of the day aswell. For some people anyways. That could be your case.

If the optician wants to increase your prescription it must be for your own good- no straining. They should tell you why though.

Usually they will put you in to see the same optician as they would know your file.

I take it you didnt buy glasses. If I were you I would give them a call explain that you were in and that the optician said your prescription has increased but you feel differently.

buzz55

Thanks Misticles.

I dont want the same optician to do the test again, I didn't think he listened to me at all. In fact, I would like to go to a different branch of that opticians as they have a better selection of frames too.

Do you think that would cause complications?

Misticles

im not sure. i would say stick with the same branch as they may have made notes on your file on the day, things like that. we would almost always send u into the same optician but if ya dont want that i suppose its your porrogative! you can take your prescription to the other branch and pick frames there.

cam13

I've had different prescriptions given by the same place. Only a .25 difference but different all the same. I honestly believe that opticians will make small changes in their diagnosis just to sell you new lens. It is a business after all. When I go for an eye exam, I don't even want the optician looking at my glasses (lens) or previous tests before they tell me what I should be wearing. Their is no reasonable explanation to see what the previous test was - except to make their job easier. This way it also keeps the optician honest without the influence of making that after exam sale: "Ohhhh you need slightly stronger lens...BTW we have a sale on right now and we can get you new contacts today!"

Misticles

Opticians are part of a medical profession, thats like a doctor saying oh you have these symptoms so buy these pills! which is ridiculous! same applies for opticians, they dont test your eyes and magically increase your prescription just to get a sale!!

The reason they want to see your previous is for background knowledge!

By seeing the results of your last eyetest they can judge how much to add/minus from your prescription based on that and explain the differences to you.It also gives them an idea of what your eye is using to correct itself, if there is a significant change they can alter it accordingly so that your eyes can adapt and you wont be getting blinding headaches and such!

And by looking at your current glasses they can see how good you treat them aswell!

They are there to help you not milk you!

marcowil

Misticles wrote: »

Opticians are part of a medical profession, thats like a doctor saying oh you have these symptoms so buy these pills! which is ridiculous! same applies for opticians, they dont test your eyes and magically increase your prescription just to get a sale!!

The reason they want to see your previous is for background knowledge!

By seeing the results of your last eyetest they can judge how much to add/minus from your prescription based on that and explain the differences to you.It also gives them an idea of what your eye is using to correct itself, if there is a significant change they can alter it accordingly so that your eyes can adapt and you wont be getting blinding headaches and such!

And by looking at your current glasses they can see how good you treat them aswell!

They are there to help you not milk you!

But if you have never had an eyetest or had your last one a long time ago then your old prescription/glasses would be worthless. Opticians are, as you said, trained medical professionals so should be able to conduct a full eye test without any prior "history" if necessary. I do not believe that the chain optical stores dont encourage their staff to sell what is not strictly required or necessary. I always get my eyes tested at an independent opticians. Once the test is finished my prescription is handed to me immediately and it is left to me to decide if i want to look at their range or go elsewhere, no hard sell, and no pushy sales person following me around the store.

As for the OP, i would go back to the original opticians and ask for a re-test as you are not happy with the first one. My partner did this recently as the glasses supplied were causing headaches. When the re-test was done the prescription was found to be too strong. It also shouldnt cost you anything as you werent happy with the service originally provided.

newb85

Hi, Im totally new to this but thought I should offer some advice on this as I am an Optometrist, I work in a small independant practice and I think the most important thing that needs to be said first of all is that I personally (and I hope the same would be true for any professional colleague) would never ever prescribe something that wasnt absolutely necessary. If the change in someone's prescription was minimal, I would ask the patient to compare directly between what I have in the trial frame, and what they see with their old spx. If they notice a difference they can change at their own discretion, if and when it suits them.If not, and they are happy with their old frames, I always leave them with their current spx, and usually give them a little MOT as well free of charge i.e. straighten them up, tighten if necessary etc. In an independant practice there is NO hard sell. It is usually always a qualified professional u are dealing with who has little to no interest in sales, only the well being of their patients (well thats how I feel anyway). Having been unfortunate enough to have worked in a large chain for a while, it is completely different, but every branch is run differently depending on the company and the individual running the store. u have to remember that the managers in these places are being given targets from head office and therefore put pressure on optoms to make "sales" (a word that grates on me as I am a medical professional and NOT A SALES PERSON!!!
anyway, in answer to the original query, Id say u should go back to the first optician, but for the future, I always advise ppl to attend an optician they are happy with, and not a company. u might have 3 or 4 opticians working in the same practice, so always ask specifically who u are going to see. its the only was of ensuring that u will be happy with the service. alternatively, If u cannot get a satisfactory outcome to ur situation, I would be happy to help.

Solas8

Hi,
I wore glasses for reading, glasses for driving and prescription sun glasses for years. One eye was deficient in one way and the other for different reasons. THEN I found a really cool optometrist who announced after spending years with glasses that I did not need any glasses.!!

He said together, in combination, my sight was fine as strengths in each eye compensated for the weakness of the other.

hey presto I have not worn glasses, bar sun glasses for two years. I actually feel that my sight has improved but I shall confirm that shortly as I am due a test.

May be worth finding an optometrist who will test your overall sight instead of individual eyes.

Optometrist

I must say you should go for a third eye test with a different optician. If the test becomes with a different result than the first one then you can go to the first optician and ask for a retest.

sickpuppy32

thankfully i've got the laser surgery now but i remember a few years ago getting an yetest in a Highstreet opticians as opposed from my regular local optician. The test was conducted in a darkened room by a very young assistent who i really doubt was a fully qualified optician. I ended up with a precription that was way too strong giving my awful headaches. When i went back to my regular optician, she explained to me that the test should be conducted in normal daylight conditions not in a darkened room.

JoePdw

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