Specsavers - questions

simu

Do these guys do eye tests for free? Could I just walk in, get a test done and leave without buying anything straight away? If you do have to pay for the test, any idea how much it costs?

(I would know all this if I didn't ignore ads on TV - gah)

Thanks in advance!

tk123

You have to pay for the test and you can get the test without buying anything straight away...not sure abt the price - €15 or so? Wait till after xmas when they have their Jan sale - buy 1 get 1 free etc...

tinkerbell

I'd to get one done for my driver's license. Think it cost about €25 (I think, can't really remember though!) - and it was a full eye exam as well.

b3t4

It's €25 for a full eye test.

I would expect that they would not force you into buying anything straight away if they did find a problem.

A.

mycroft

simu wrote:

Do these guys do eye tests for free? Could I just walk in, get a test done and leave without buying anything straight away? If you do have to pay for the test, any idea how much it costs?

(I would know all this if I didn't ignore ads on TV - gah)

Thanks in advance!

If you need it for your driving licenece they'll charge you.

If you think you need glasses and want a test and are in Dublin, screw specsavers, got to Berlin opticians on Capel st, I can't tell you how good the guy is, he's a craftsman. Glasses are vital and necessary (if you need em natch) and something you'll spend so much time wearing them don't scrimp his prices are reasonable and he'll actually offer a real opinion (other than "uh huh that looks good') I've had in a fifteen minute discussion about the shape of my head with the man.

Zaph

I agree with mycroft, if you do need glasses or contact lenses go to a proper optician, not one of those express chains. A friend of mine got contact lenses from one of the chains (can't remember which one) a few years ago. They never measured her eye properly and gave her lenses that were the wrong shape for her eyeball. One ended up behind the eyeball and she ended up in the Eye and Ear, and later the courts. A very nasty experience for her.

simu

I already wear contact lenses & glasses but I need new, stronger ones. My parents used to pay for my optician visits but now that I'm paying for it myself, I thought I'd try to save money. How much does a visit to an optician usually cost?

(And unfortunately, I'm not in Dublin, Mycroft but if anyone knows good opticians in Cork/Galway city centres, speak up - the one I used to go to in Cork lives too far away in the suburbs to visit).

po0k

I've been to spec-savers.
Can't say I recommend them for eye-wear, though for purly vision tests they should be as good as anyone else with a qualified optician.

Myself, I get my kit (glasses and lenses) at the Opticans near Pillowtalk (can't for the life of me remember their name - and can't find an appointment card to hand). They're really nice, very professional. I've been going there for the last 6 or 7 years.

I went to Richard Hughes about 9 years ago.
Was fitted with a terribly ugly pair of glasses, big thick clear plastic frames, flucking dreadful.
I might only have been 11, but they sucked balls for my first pair, severly affected my self-esteem. Mind would they have warded me away from them...

"Since they're his first pair take these plastic ones [that we can't shift from our store-room] instead of that [nice] metal pair he was looking at in case he loses or breaks them".

Raskolnikov

simu wrote:

I already wear contact lenses & glasses but I need new, stronger ones. My parents used to pay for my optician visits but now that I'm paying for it myself, I thought I'd try to save money. How much does a visit to an optician usually cost?

(And unfortunately, I'm not in Dublin, Mycroft but if anyone knows good opticians in Cork/Galway city centres, speak up - the one I used to go to in Cork lives too far away in the suburbs to visit).

You might qualify for a free eye test and glasses if you've paid enough PRSI. Give the dept. of Social Welfare a call and they'll be able to tell you if you qualify or not for free optical care.

I'll root around for the specific number tomorrow and post it here if you like.

po0k

I remembered - it's Collette-Kelly opticians.
Address:
1 Buttermilk walk,
Middle St.,
Galway

monkeyfudge

mycroft wrote:

I've had in a fifteen minute discussion about the shape of my head with the man.

So, what shape was it then?

Raskolnikov is right about the PRSI and most opticians will give you the forms that you need to fill in to make a claim.

flyinfishmonkey

You could try T.L.Egans in Cork. Not sure the exact address but they are on the Quays near Patrick Streeet (I think). The O.O.s (Opthalmic Opticians) are very good and friendly in there. Roughly €20 for a full test and eye health check but yes you could qualify for it free on Social Welfare Optical benefit (1890 400 400 (Ext 4480)). There are a good few Opticians in Galway but I know the guys in Specsavers and they are good in there so you could do worse. They can also do your specs while you wait (which they can also do in Egans btw). Good Luck!

simu wrote:

I already wear contact lenses & glasses but I need new, stronger ones. My parents used to pay for my optician visits but now that I'm paying for it myself, I thought I'd try to save money. How much does a visit to an optician usually cost?

(And unfortunately, I'm not in Dublin, Mycroft but if anyone knows good opticians in Cork/Galway city centres, speak up - the one I used to go to in Cork lives too far away in the suburbs to visit).

petes

I also need to go to an optician where they actually give you an opinion of what the frames you are wearing look like...you go into optician..to try on new frames only clear lens in so cant see what you feckin look like in the mirror and there is some gobsheen from the shop saying there grand...dont listen to them ..bring someone with you...i have learned from my mistakes

deRanged

Crowleys opticians on the grand parade - near Timberland. I was in there the other day for an eye test. It cost me 25 quid. They're very nice and professional in there - I don't know what the prices are like though. I've only bought sunglasses there.

Egans is on Bridge Street isn't it? (haven't been there since I got my eyes tested last - about 10 years ago).

Sleepy

SyxPak wrote:

I remembered - it's Collette-Kelly opticians.
Address:
1 Buttermilk walk,
Middle St.,
Galway

I'd second that recommendation.

pickarooney

Wow, it was seven pounds last time I did an eye-test for a provisional license, in 2001.
Gotta love that 300% inflation!

flyinfishmonkey

pickarooney wrote:

Wow, it was seven pounds last time I did an eye-test for a provisional license, in 2001.
Gotta love that 300% inflation!

The Driving License eye test is only a screening. They don't do a full check on the health of your eyes or what corrective lenses you need to see better. All you have to do is read the first couple of lines on the test chart and you get your form stamped. The full test was always about double that of the driving eye test so its not exactly inflation after all.

pickarooney

aaah! thanks.

Bogger77

flyinfishmonkey wrote:

The Driving License eye test is only a screening. They don't do a full check on the health of your eyes or what corrective lenses you need to see better. All you have to do is read the first couple of lines on the test chart and you get your form stamped. The full test was always about double that of the driving eye test so its not exactly inflation after all.

I got the full works, in a spec savers, eye pressure checks, the works for the princely sum of IR£7 in 2000.

Zapho

Keep a look out. Every now and then they have a free day, and they also offer student discounts on weekdays.