Posted 8 hours ago
Opticians help?
I mean no offence by this whatsoever, But why is it opticians seem to help so little,
I recently went to have a eye test and received my new prescription, I then proceeded too look online.. And I am now stuck at what I am looking for, I spoke to a customer service member on one of the websites as i previously thought varifocals sounded like the more ideal thing [I've been told I should be wearing glasses all the time for both long distance and reading] and he proceeded to tell me that I can't get varifocals as my prescription is for single vision.
Now I am at a loss if I am looking for Reading Glasses, Distance Glasses or if their is anything else that exists
I've also been told previously by a optician [Many years ago] that due to my eye shape etc I will find difficulty with letters/numbers looking similar and also extremely prone too light. I've not been told whether my prescription is strong, weak or medium... I've not been told the difference between photochromic lenses, or whether I'd be better of with a pair of prescription clear lenses and prescripition sunglasses.
Why is this the case? That when you look to purchase you see all these other filters / lenses types and never told what would be more ideal for you? Instead I got told to look at frames and that was about it.
I'm basically left with a load of weird numbers that from my completely untrained eye just make no sense, and I can't make out what i need or don't need anymore.
tldr : Why don't opticians explain whether your eyes would benefit from certain lenses, coatings and what your prescription really means.
I recently went to have a eye test and received my new prescription, I then proceeded too look online.. And I am now stuck at what I am looking for, I spoke to a customer service member on one of the websites as i previously thought varifocals sounded like the more ideal thing [I've been told I should be wearing glasses all the time for both long distance and reading] and he proceeded to tell me that I can't get varifocals as my prescription is for single vision.
Now I am at a loss if I am looking for Reading Glasses, Distance Glasses or if their is anything else that exists
I've also been told previously by a optician [Many years ago] that due to my eye shape etc I will find difficulty with letters/numbers looking similar and also extremely prone too light. I've not been told whether my prescription is strong, weak or medium... I've not been told the difference between photochromic lenses, or whether I'd be better of with a pair of prescription clear lenses and prescripition sunglasses.
Why is this the case? That when you look to purchase you see all these other filters / lenses types and never told what would be more ideal for you? Instead I got told to look at frames and that was about it.
I'm basically left with a load of weird numbers that from my completely untrained eye just make no sense, and I can't make out what i need or don't need anymore.
tldr : Why don't opticians explain whether your eyes would benefit from certain lenses, coatings and what your prescription really means.
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13 Comments
sorted byYour eyesight is a precious thing. (edited)
I used to use an independent but now go to Specsavers and cannot fault them. They even have a no quibble guarantee that if you are not happy with the glasses they have made for you you can get a full refund.
Only an optician can answer specific questions about what is best for you
I don't buy plain lens glasses anymore, I buy transitional lenses.
Plus my glasses for "reading" are prescription lenses not normal reading glasses that you can buy off the shelf from most supermarkets. Not that I wear them much unless I am really struggling with something up close, like reading small disclaimers hidden in the small print of an instruction manual, even then I mostly take a photo with my phone & expand the photo so I can read the text properly.
There is a different between needing a prescription for reading glasses to "just" needing reading glasses. Amongst other more serious eye problems, if each eye is significantly different in reading books or pc etc then you definitely need a prescription, if they perform the same then you don't necessarily need a prescription but you may benefit from standard reading glasses that have the same lenses for each eye.
Just pop in to your local optician & ask them. Though I suspect some confusion relates to your personal definition of the term "reading glasses".
Now that you can take your prescription to any dispenser, I have found this separation to have its pros and cons. Many opticians, (not all) lose interest in you if they sniff you might take your prescription elsewhere. So, it is best to keep your cards to your chest until the very last moment.
Increasingly, the big chains have reduced the work of the actual optician and left things like choice of frames, measurements, lenses etc to less qualified and poorly trained dispensers (again not all).
Some independents (again not all) are better than the chains. In many cases the optician who conducts the eye test will also undertake all the lens advice, measuring etc. Generally though, independents can be more expensive.
Your prescription, sadly, is only designed to be read and understood by a dispenser - not you! Of course, it perhaps should not be like that but it is.
If your prescription is only for single lens then that is what it is. Your eye test should habe concluded whether you needed specs for long and/or short vision. Only an optician can decide whether you need corrective lenses for one or both. If both, only then can vari -focals be considered. They are not for everyone for all sorts of reasons - many people use bifocals or in fact have 2 pairs of specs.
I used an independent for many many years until my eyes settled down, and now I use a chain. If the time ever comes when my eyes go through another major change I will go back to an independent.