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SPECSAVERS eye care

(50 Posts)
JamesandJon33 Sun 30-Jun-24 11:34:34

I have just been reading the thread on Audiology at SPECSAVERS.
I have a problem with one eye , though no diagnoses yet. My local hospital Eye clinic , at y last appointment asked to see me in four months time. This is now over. When I rang to inquire about an appointment, I am not even on the list. The doctor suggested I went to an optician. Has anyone encountered this?. I know the hospital waiting lists are long, but this seems a bit cavalier.

Athrawes Sun 30-Jun-24 12:44:43

I go to Specsavers for the odd check up if I have a concern as the hospital is a long way for me and I've been satisfied so far.

Whitewavemark2 Sun 30-Jun-24 12:47:27

They have a new machine thing that looks at your eye health.

I would give it a go.

karmalady Sun 30-Jun-24 12:47:45

My specsavers eye care has been exemplary. The most thorough eye care ever and definitely no hard sell

sodapop Sun 30-Jun-24 12:52:02

I'm sure Specsavers will pick up any anomalies with your vision JamesandJohn33
Their tests are quite sophisticated now and they will be able to advise you on what to do next.
Here in France opticians only do very basic tests and everything else is referred to hospital. This has resulted in massive waiting lists for hospital appointments.

twinnytwin Sun 30-Jun-24 13:00:50

DH was referred direct to the hospital by Specsavers as they'd picked up potential glaucoma. He's also had a cataract operation. No need for GP visit or anything. He's had excellent service.

V3ra Sun 30-Jun-24 13:08:37

We go to Boots and their tests are very comprehensive.
Amongst other tests they measure the eye pressure, take a scan and now for a small fee we can have a 3D scan. That shows the macular area and would pick up any problems, which is of interest as my mother-in-law has AMD.

Specsavers carry out the visual field tests for glaucoma on behalf of the DVLA if they're required.

NotSpaghetti Sun 30-Jun-24 13:45:14

Was a letter written by the hospital when you went last time? Either to your doctor or optician?

If so, it should have information about the recall on it.

I would chase the letter up first.

Good luck.

Charleygirl5 Sun 30-Jun-24 13:59:09

OCT scans have been around for many years and it was one of those which diagnosed my dry Macular. It is well worth paying the extra to give you and the optician peace of mind.

keepingquiet Sun 30-Jun-24 14:15:25

I went to see a GP a couple of years ago about problems with my eyes. He was very insistent I see a specialist at the hospital as soon as possible. I went to my appointment but was turned away at the very last minute because I had no one to take me home, but they failed to say I could not travel home on my own folloing the tests. I was there for hours and they could have asked me when I checked in as it would have saved a lot of time and money.
When I returned a week or so later I waited even longer to be seen- the place was a joke really. The doctor who saw me was extremely rude and just said the problems were due to my old age! I'm 66!
Since then I have only been to Specsavers or Boots and luckily my eyes haven't got any worse.
I would avoid the hospital unless it is absolutely necessary.

JamesandJon33 Sun 30-Jun-24 17:22:21

It was the SPECSAVERS optician who referred me to the hospital originally. A six month wait for an appointment turned into 18. Obviously the lists are still long and opticians have been roped in to help. If I feel a deterioration in my eye, I will certainly go to SPECSAVERS. Thanks all .

Katyj Sun 30-Jun-24 17:53:05

Our GP won’t deal with any eye problems now, we have to make an appointment with specsavers. Last time DH went with a sore eye, he was told his eye was fine no problems and charged £25
The hospital waiting lists are very long. At least Specsavers would be able to send you as urgent, other than that most big hospitals have an eye A and E were you could sit and wait. Hope you get sorted.

Maggiemaybe Sun 30-Jun-24 20:08:04

I’ve been with Specsavers for years and had excellent service. They have all the latest equipment and there’s no waiting time. They’ve picked up and referred me to consultants for two separate problems noticed at routine checks, and I was seen within a fortnight for each, even though they weren’t urgent issues. I’ve had regular checks at our local hospital since, and am very happy with them too. I still go to Specsavers inbetween as well though. smile

Luckygirl3 Sun 30-Jun-24 20:45:37

Specsavers have been very good with me. A few weeks after my cataract surgery I was a bit concerned about something and they saw me the next day and were able to reassure me that the problem was benign. They were very clear that I should get straight back to them if I had further concerns.

I have a large floater in my left eye which is a darned nuisance and they said to come back if it seemed to be getting worse so they can check that it is not clouding of the capsule where the new lens was installed.

The receptionists are programmed to respond to certain statements with an immediate appointment.

I cannot fault the service I have had.

David49 Sun 30-Jun-24 21:14:05

To get a free eye or hearing test test my surgery refers patients to Specsavers, every time I go there is a new test they do.

watermeadow Mon 01-Jul-24 18:45:02

I have twice had my prescription made up wrongly at SpecSavers. My eye tests have been satisfactory but getting new glasses there is like picking a can of beans off a supermarket shelf. Useless assistants.

Jane43 Mon 01-Jul-24 18:58:57

I recently had two cataract procedures, SpecSavers did both of my follow up examinations and were very thorough and professional both times. They should have charged me £10 each time as I had already had an eye test at the beginning of this year but they waived the fee both times. I would have no hesitation in going back when my next eye test is due.

Franbern Tue 02-Jul-24 08:43:12

My recent eye check up at Specsavers (NHS) picked up a problem and I was referred to Glaucoma Clinic. Givenchoice of appointments there between 2-4 weeks from when I went to optician.
No wait there, appointment time kept to as I went for tests with three different people, finishing with Consultant. Result, to repeat this in six months time, nothing to worry about.
Optician had also referred to have eye lids lifted. That test results had to go via GP but I has been done. Sadly, no appointment available for this and I am on the waiting list at same place as Glaucoma Clinic. Spoke to receptionist whilst I was there -who really went over and above to help me. She says I should receive an appointment within next four weeks or else to phone here. Recent for wait is that they have a surgeon who only runs clinic one day a week.

Carenza123 Tue 02-Jul-24 08:50:25

I have had my eyes tested for afew years now at Specsavers. They provide an excellent service and explain things in layman’s terms. They picked up a suspected problem with the back of my eye and referred me to the local hospital. I feel Specsavers have the most up to date equipment which the smaller optician does not have.

SillyNanny321 Wed 03-Jul-24 11:26:14

Have been using Specsavers for many years with no problems. Very up to date equipment now. They found when I first visited them for a check up that I had AMD & also found the wet AMD & got me to hospital for the injections fast. Would recommend them. Also use Specsavers for my hearing aids, again very good!

Grannyjacq1 Wed 03-Jul-24 11:26:53

Can't fault Specsavers. Recent appointment revealed need for cataract op which I had on Monday at one of their specialist eye clinics which I believe is owned by Specsavers, taking private and NHS patients? I had a 12 week wait on the NHS, with a pre-op appointment before this, and supportive paperwork and phone calls to support procedure. Follow-up appointment organised and date for 2nd eye cataract removal in 6 weeks. 2 days after first op, the world already looks a lot brighter!

Sakura4 Wed 03-Jul-24 11:30:02

I had a problem with one eye and asked for an emergency eye health check at Specsavers. This is covered by the NHS if your branch is within your surgery catchment area so check. They were brilliant. At least you might get some answers going there and know what to do next.

DeeAitch56 Wed 03-Jul-24 11:34:28

Whilst you could go to an optician in the interim, I would still pursue the hospital appointment, I’ve worn glasses more or less from birth and it wasn’t until I has elective lens replacement surgery at 59 that I discovered I have had a syndrome since birth called Duane’s syndrome which effects the nerves and muscles in my right eye meaning amongst other things I can’t wear varifocal glasses A fact that didn’t stop Specsavers, ASDA, & Tesco opticians prescribing them for me for 20yrs plus at £300+ a time

Quizzer Wed 03-Jul-24 11:36:37

Specsavers have had the machine that photographs the back of the eye for quite a while. You have to pay for it even if your eye test is free on the NHS. It is well worth it. The optician spotted a potentially serious problem and I was referred to the hospital and seen within 24 hours!!
Not as urgent as they had suspected but it did result in an eye operation 3 months later to repair a torn retina.
Thank you Specsavers. If it hadn’t been spotted I could have lost the sight in that eye.

chrissie13 Wed 03-Jul-24 11:37:38

I was diagnosed as glaucoma risk, and have to have annual tests. The first couple were done at the hospital, then I was offered to have them at Specsavers instead which is much more convenient for me. The hospital has told them the level of pressure that I need to be referred back to them. I have been having the tests there for several years now, and they have been very professional.