Waterford Opticians

hardybuck

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone can recommend a good opticians in Waterford-I just need a general eye test. My vision feels fine, but I'm worried that if you go in to the likes of Specsavers they'll try and make a quick buck and tell me I need glasses!

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Aquos76

Mcgraths opticians on the quay next to GPO are very good, that's where we take our eldest son.

deise_boi

Can't recommend these guys enough. Very friendly and helpful staff, I'm sure they'll be very happy to help you out. I've never had any problems with them and certainly they've never tried to fleece me They have special offers on every now and then too so check the website before you book too: http://www.nolkeopticians.com/

They're situated out by the Uluru on the Dunmore Road. I think they're also got a Tramore branch aswell.

old gregg

my family have been very happy with Kjell Nolke out at http://www.nolkeopticians.com/ at the Ardkeen shopping complex (or whatever it's called).

Edit: just noticed that deise_boi had posted the same link while I was typing so that's two of us happy campers

Sully

Brother runs EyeCatchers Opticians in Arundel Lane, Waterford. Handy if your in the City Centre

Cabaal

Also have to recommend http://www.nolkeopticians.com/,

DO NOT go to specsavers, I once got two pairs of glasses from them and they were never right as I used to get headaches wearing them etc, I brought them back twice to be told there was nothing wrong with them and I must be imagining things.

I brought them to another opticians who confirmed that both pairs were actually different prescriptions!

My Mrs went to specsavers twice to be told her eye's were perfect yet she kept getting headaches so she went to nolke opticians to find she actually needed glasses for tv/driving/reading. Once she got those she got no more headaches

hardybuck

Thanks for the advice folks. I'll have a ring around now. I've heard a few bad reports on Specsavers, which is worrying considering the size of the brand.

dayshah

hardybuck wrote: »

Thanks for the advice folks. I'll have a ring around now. I've heard a few bad reports on Specsavers, which is worrying considering the size of the brand.

I wouldn't trust them to test my eyes, but has anyone had a problem if they brought in a prescription?

Jason Todd

Does anyone know if any of the Opticians in Waterford do prescription sports glasses/goggles? Play a bit of soccer and sick of wearing glasses! I hear they're expensive too though. :eek::D

TIA

deise_boi

Jason Todd wrote: »

Does anyone know if any of the Opticians in Waterford do prescription sports glasses/goggles? Play a bit of soccer and sick of wearing glasses! I hear they're expensive too though. :eek::D

TIA

Can't answer your question I'm afraid, but would you consider contact lenses? It's what I did years ago for similar reasons and they're fantastic. The dailies are ideal as you have no need to mind them or clean them etc

TheVandal

I hate Specsavers. When I went in for my compulsory check up (Work paid for it) they sat me down in that little room and had that air thing blow into my eyes- my automatic physical response is to flinch and jump back a little- I can't help it, it's uncomfortable. Long story short, the woman administering this really got ratty with me. All in front of a shop full of people. The room has no door.

I just found them ignorant.

Jason Todd

deise_boi wrote: »

Can't answer your question I'm afraid, but would you consider contact lenses? It's what I did years ago for similar reasons and they're fantastic. The dailies are ideal as you have no need to mind them or clean them etc

I have tried contacts, but no matter how hard I try I can't seem to keep my eyes open long enough to get them in!! :pac: Seriously though, I have tried it, twice now in the last couple of years but once I get them in with the help of the optician I couldn't get them out and then putting them back in on my own was impossible. My eyes just keep clamming up, it's a natural reaction I just can't get the better of.

So I said I'd just bite the bullet and go for the goggles.

Chiparus

Nolke opticians - excellent service.

Jason Todd

Was in touch with Nolke in Ardkeen and they have range of sports eyewear so I'm gonna pop in and check it out, thanks for the recommendations!

hardybuck

Chiparus wrote: »

Nolke opticians - excellent service.

I used them when getting a test for a drivers license, and found them only so-so. Despite making an appointment, I was waiting around 20 mins to be seen. As I was on the point of leaving, I was ushered in.

When the appointment started, I could actually see the change of expression in the guy when I told him I just wanted the test for the driving license. He went through the motions pretty quickly and got me out of his hair.

My parents use Major McGrath and are very happy with the service there.

Sully

I'm unaware of any place where an appointment guarantees you instant attention. Most places use it as a guide, patients will come in late or there will be delays with other patients. Nothing goes bang on time.

hardybuck

Sully wrote: »

I'm unaware of any place where an appointment guarantees you instant attention. Most places use it as a guide, patients will come in late or there will be delays with other patients. Nothing goes bang on time.

Well then you're going to the wrong places. I go to my physio about two mins before my appointment, and I'm in there max 2 mins after the appointment should have started. Similarly with the dentist, I might expect to wait 5 mins or so.

20 mins region - not on in my opinion. I generally would take my business elsewhere rather than spend that sort of time hanging around.

If you turned up at my office 20 mins late for a job interview your prospects wouldn't be great.

wendydoll

I found that with Nolke too. Had my appointment first thing after lunch and 10 mins later he arrived in the door from his lunch.

Things like that wouldn't bother me too much though, how I look at it is you'd never know when you'll be the emergency case delaying people with appointments/ delaying doctors taking lunches etc.

I suppose some people can find bad timekeeping annoying but i'd rather be seen late by a excellent optician rather than on time by a average optician

hardybuck

wendydoll wrote: »

I found that with Nolke too. Had my appointment first thing after lunch and 10 mins later he arrived in the door from his lunch.

Things like that wouldn't bother me too much though, how I look at it is you'd never know when you'll be the emergency case delaying people with appointments/ delaying doctors taking lunches etc.

I suppose some people can find bad timekeeping annoying but i'd rather be seen late by a excellent optician rather than on time by a average optician

If someone explained to me that they were 10 mins late because of an emergency case, then I'd have no problem at all accepting that. If someone swanned in 10 mins late from lunch without a good reason, or at the very least apologise, I would have a problem with it.

Again, I revert to a general workplace example. If I've a 2pm meeting, and I don't get a chance to get out for a sandwich until 1.45 - that's just my problem and I'll have to suck it up.

I suppose Nolke is self employed and can do as he pleases, but I'm sure you'd lose customers with that sort of attitude.

looder

Jason Todd wrote: »

Was in touch with Nolke in Ardkeen and they have range of sports eyewear so I'm gonna pop in and check it out, thanks for the recommendations!

Can you let us know how you get on and what type of price range the sports goggles are in there? I've a nephew who's 9 or 10 and doesn't like hurling as he finds it hard seeing the sliotar.

RE Specsavers. What an incompetent shower of fools. I used them for approximately 5 years when in college as it was handy for contacts BUT I've never been in there without a problem. Some of the problems include getting the wrong contacts, faulty glasses, overcharging, getting spam in the post and waiting for 40 mins+ for my appointment.

One of my friends uses Specsavers in Clonmel and they have always been spot on. Maybe it's just the Waterford store is ****e.

danjo-xx

Do the smaller options have Digital retinal photography?

Is it included free as part of the eye test fee.



I'm not a young person:D but this is the only reason I go to specsavers.

Wheja

If you need digital retinal photography you should probably be going to an ophthalmologist instead of a regular opticians. It's a bit of a scam on Specsavers part offering it. I have a bit of background in this and I would avoid them like the plague. Brian O'Sullivan and Philip Major are the best in the town imo.

Martin_D

Wheja wrote: »

If you need digital retinal photography you should probably be going to an ophthalmologist instead of a regular opticians. It's a bit of a scam on Specsavers part offering it. I have a bit of background in this and I would avoid them like the plague. Brian O'Sullivan and Philip Major are the best in the town imo.

First part is true but service is available in eye catchers. Found them excellent, no pushing glasses, will refer on to specialist if there is any doubt about finding from examination. Got eye test, digital retinal photo and completed form for driving test for €30 - good service. imo any optician pushing specs when not indicated from test would jeopardise their practice and open themselves to litigation