Eyes test from someone other than optician

the groutch

hi, was going to get an eye test, and excuse my cynicism, but I prefer not to get it done by someone whose primary job is selling glasses.

anyone know where else I can get it done?

endplate

An Optician signs an oath i.e. FAOI. With that they have to give a honest assessment of a person and advise them whether they need glasses or not. Now of course there are probably a few bad eggs out there hence your cynicism. You can visit a Ophthalmologist privately. The eye test will cost you more and you will have the same result afterwards as they will also tell you if you need glasses or not. You don't have to buy glasses after your test with an Optician. You do have that choice.

Are you cynical cos of the old story them Opticians if you go for a eye test you will end up buying glasses? This is usually because the person does need glasses and are conscious about having to wear them. Tom Dunne on Newstalk was a classic example of that story recently. Listeners and collogues were pushing him to get his eyes tested but he kept putting it off. Eventually he went and he happily wearing glasses and his eye strain is gone.

Remember an Optician is obliged to tell you the truth if you don't need glasses you don't need glasses.

convert

Roughly how much would one expect to pay for an eye test with an opthalmologist when compared with an optician in, say, somewhere like Specsavers or Optical Express?

endplate

About €110 for an opthalmologist and about €27 to €40 with an Optician or free if you are prsi qualified or you have a full medical card

convert

Cool, thanks.

And a lead on question: are eye tests carried out by opthalmologists any different or is one just paying for the overheads of a private practice?

endplate

Opthalmologists generally dilate pupils i.e use drugs to relax the pupils to allow a better view of the back eye at every examination. This practice is not routinely done Opticians only in certain circumstances. After dilation you cannot drive for several hrs as your vision is blurred. The end result as regards glasses is still the same.

convert

endplate wrote: »

After dilation you cannot drive for several hrs as your vision is blurred. The end result as regards glasses is still the same.

:eek: Better bring someone with me to drive me home! Otherwise I'll be stuck there for hours!

Moonbeam

I paid 150 for my daughters opthamologist appointment.
I don't pay for my eye tests as my prsi does.

convert

Had an eye test with an opthalmologist today using an autorefractor. While he put a solution in my eye before examining them, thankfully it didn't cause blurry vision so I could drive home after.

Relieved that my eyes are fine and my eyesight hasn't disimproved (much) since my last test!

jwabh

convert wrote: »

Had an eye test with an opthalmologist today using an autorefractor. While he put a solution in my eye before examining them, thankfully it didn't cause blurry vision so I could drive home after.

Relieved that my eyes are fine and my eyesight hasn't disimproved (much) since my last test!

Glad your vision is ok. doubt he did just used an autorefractor on you, probably just did this as a pretest to get your approximate prescription. Most opticians do this or else do retinoscopy on you, same difference.

Also just wondering what drops he used and what they were for, if you know?