different eye test for lenses or rip-off?

galah

Hi all,

first time poster in this forum ;-)

Just wondering - I had an eye test done about a month ago, and got a prescription for my glasses. I sometimes use contact lenses, and, since my eyesight has changed slightly, I also need new lenses.

I went to Specsavers at the weekend, to buy new lenses, but the shop assistant told me that she can't just use my glasses prescription to give me new lenses, I'd need to have a contact lense eye test & fitting (another 35 Euros). She explained that this was the law in Ireland.

To me, this does not make sense, since everywhere else (Germany & Auustralia) my glasses prescription was also used for my contact lenses, with no special fitting or anything. Is this just some ploy to extract another 35 Euros out of me???

missbaker

They do need to check your eyes. I got my lens check 2 weeks ago in Specsavers after eye exam in November. Mine was only €20 though??

Shamanic

The key word there is contact lenses FITTING, in Ireland and the UK contact lenses and glasses are seen and sold as a medical device.

You require a contact lenses fitting to determine the base curve and diameter and potentially the prescription- (as contact lenses sit directly on the eye, if you are over a +/- 4.00DS, this is subject to change in your lenses)

The trend of seeing contact lenses and glasses as a medical device in Irish and English law is predicted to spread to mainland Europe rather than the reverse; Independent studies shown result in greater customer care and a significant drop in ocular infections with the appropriate patient observation and management.

The reason this exam is E35 as opposed to the other posters E20 exam is because you are being fitted as a new contact lens patient, regardless of the fact that you have worn them before. The other poster is having a contact lens check up, which is a yearly check on the health of your eyes when your contact lens wearer, this is also a legal requirement in Ireland and UK.

galah

Cheers for that, that explains it. Still doesn't make much sense to me, but at least it's not a blatant rip-off then.

Shamanic

It may not make sense, but its law here. I know how frustrating that is as you've worn them before, but there is no way around it here.

olaola

Your prescription will be different between your glasses & your lenses. Your lenses are worn on the eye which brings in other factors that have to be considered when prescribing the correct strength.

galah

but it's not - I used the Irish prescription for glasses to get contact lenses - and noone mentioned any changes or adjustments at the optician. That was the same when I got glasses and lenses in Australia - same prescription for both.

Keitel

Would smaller Opticians be any cheaper?
I'm still shopping around for an eye test cheaper than €27 which i just cant budget for right now.
Specsavers are a rip-off.

Jip

As has been said, you need them to be fitted. It's not a rip off, they're doing it to look after your own health and also cover themselves if you have any eye problems as a result of ill fitting lenses. Not all eyes are the same shape, if you have astigmatism for example you shouldn't be wearing regular lenses and for a regular reading test this is not something that will always be picked up.

Shamanic

olaola wrote: »

Your prescription will be different between your glasses & your lenses. Your lenses are worn on the eye which brings in other factors that have to be considered when prescribing the correct strength.

well generally unless your over a plus or minus 4, focal lengths dont come into play so your lens power in specs and contact can remain the same, the only thing that may be dropped is a small 0.25 cyl to have the contacts as sphere only.

Lickarse1

It is not a rip-off, reg eye tests are great