Eye tests

Bassmansam · 4 Nov 2021 at 11:34

Hi all

I have my 2 year eye test appointment on Saturday and i was thinking if my eyes have got worse but I can get around fine in my current glasses, do I really need to pay £500-ish for a new pair of glasses to see slightly better?
My prescription is -5 and -7 so new glasses are quite expensive and it just seems that opticians just herd you to the salesman after the testand pressure you into buying a new pair. Is it really necessary if for example my prescription changes by less than 1 diopter. Surely if it had changed by more than that I would be struggling generally i would think.

tldr: is it bad to wear glasses that are understrength?

Bassmansam · 4 Nov 2021 at 11:39

Raymond Lin said:
Yes it is bad to wear wrong prescription glasses.

No it doesn't need to be £500...go to Specsavers. I used to go to Vision Express and it did cost me £500 for a pair of glasses but Specsavers really is cheaper. Same lenses, same index thiness, about £150.

What prescription?

Bassmansam · 4 Nov 2021 at 11:46

Raymond Lin said:
Mine is -5.25 and -/5.5 with mild astimatism

Oh that is interesting how much cheaper your glasses were. If there is a change I think i'll get a copy of my prescription and look elsewhere.

Bassmansam · 4 Nov 2021 at 11:48

Snookums said:
You're essentially asking for medical advice here. But technically yes it is bad, as an incorrect prescription will put more strain on the eye potentially speeding up any further degradation.

Eye strain has not been proved to cause/speed up myopia.

Bassmansam · 4 Nov 2021 at 11:55

Raymond Lin said:
Go to Specsavers, get an eye test for £20, which is often knocked off you if you buy glasses afterwards.

Then look at lenses and price, then decide.

It doesn't even need to be £150, I went for branded frames, I have FCUK frames...but you can get like £20 frames. It is so much cheaper, same product as Vision Express.

I go to an independant opticians, it is £50 for the test but they are very thorough so i don't mind paying that. If i can get the glasses cheaper elsewhere like specsavers though i will certainly look into that. Thanks for info, there must be a huge mark up if specsavers can do it for much less!

Bassmansam · 4 Nov 2021 at 12:18

Thats why i wouldn't buy glasses online with a prescription like mine. The pupil distance is too important to get wrong but i really don't like paying out £500 for glasses especially if its only a small improvement in vision..

Bassmansam · 4 Nov 2021 at 13:12

Street said:
Just go the whole hog and get them lasered! It'll pay for itself in savings from glasses and the quality of life improvement is massive. For reference, I was -7.25 in both eyes and nearly 10 years on I'm 0/-0.25, pretty pleased for the £2k outlay.

I would never do that. Have read far too many horror stories about it. Some people are happy to take that risk but not me!

What do you mean improvement in quality of life? I can see fine in glasses, they aren't a big deal to me. Been wearing them since i was about 10(32 now).

Bassmansam · 4 Nov 2021 at 15:02

Blackjack Davy said:
You don't "need" to purchase new specs but its highly recommended and if you're driving its essential - but you ought to have a regular eye test as they also test for medical conditions like glaucoma etc

Absolutely, retinal detachment is my biggest fear so i always go for my routine check ups..

Bassmansam · 4 Nov 2021 at 15:17

Scrutinize said:
Do your independents offer the OCT tomography scan for eye health inc glaucoma? I had this last time at Specsavers and it's well worth it.

If having laser eye surgery then there is only one sensible option being the London Vision Clinic. There is a reason it costs more.

I had a work colleague go elsewhere due to a cheap offer, had issues and ended up at the LVC for remedial and corrective treatment.

Happy enough in glasses, but yes I have heard good things about LVC.

Bassmansam · 4 Nov 2021 at 16:13

Scrutinize said:
Do your independents offer the OCT tomography scan for eye health inc glaucoma? I had this last time at Specsavers and it's well worth it.

I had a work colleague go elsewhere due to a cheap offer, had issues and ended up at the LVC for remedial and corrective treatment.

They do indeed

https://linklaterwarren.co.uk/eye-examination

Crikey its £65 now!

Bassmansam · 4 Nov 2021 at 16:29

Raymond Lin said:
Just give Specsavers a try lol at worst you will be £25 down.

Na all booked in for Saturday now. I haven’t been to spec savers but i changed to these from boots as i felt everything was too rushed there.

Bassmansam · 5 Nov 2021 at 07:16

Raymond Lin said:
£500 place?

yep just for a test though. I would only buy a new pair if my eyes have changed by 1 diopter anyway and probably not at this place knowing i can get them cheaper elsewhere.

@Angilion whats your prescription?

Bassmansam · 6 Nov 2021 at 12:34

Test done, left eye prescription slightly worse but not enough for a new pair of glasses so have saved a fair amount there, happy days.

Bassmansam · 7 Nov 2021 at 16:47

FoxEye said:
No, you do not. I don't think I've ever spent more than ~£150 per pair and those were the thin and light titanium ones for the absolute lightest weight I could get.

your prescription?

Bassmansam · 7 Nov 2021 at 17:48

Efour said:
If i was as blind as you id spend whatever it takes....
glad it only costs me 50 quid for a pair.

I’m not blind, it’s not like i see nothing but darkness without glasses on. Maybe blurry is the word you meant.