Specsavers

I think Specsavers is a franchise organisation - we always go to the same branch as so far - 20+ years - they have been very good and seem to have given us correct advice and information. They also have a collection of photographs of the eye etc. They correctly sent me to the eye clinic when worried about eye pressure.

Yes I've heard they do vary from branch to branch. The one I have been going to for several years is excellent. The staff are knowledgeable, courteous and professional.

I thought I would give them a try when they first opened. Never again.
I knew as soon as I put the new pair on that something was wrong. Their advice was, ^you'll get used to them^?
Having been wearing glasses since before I went to school I think I know my eyes.
We then got to raised voice stage when they wouldn't believe me. I got my refund.

I have used Specsavers quite happily in the past, but the last pair I had from them , was wrong.
I could see distance details, better with my old ones, and if you are driving, you want to be as safe as possible.
Also told that I would get used to them, keep trying.
Tried for a month and no better, so I took them back and got a full refund.
Consequently went to Boots and had my eyes re-tested, and the prescription was different.
I have ordered new specs, and am waiting to pick them up, but am now nervous in case these are not right.

I don't usually have a problem at Specsavers, but this time I did.

It was mainly a misunderstanding. I usually alternate between replacing reading and distance glasses and reading and close-up ones (for fine work like sewing). This time they interpreted 'reading' as 'close-up'. I'd have to hold a book under my chin, the laptop ditto and the piano music somewhere between the keyboard and my face!! No way are they suitable for reading.

So I went back and was offered some fancy varifocal-type lenses, and was told to go and measure the distances from my eyes to the piano music, book, laptop etc.

In the meantime, I realised what had happened and that what I call 'reading glasses' (because that's what I use them for!!) they call intermediate. Once I'd clarified that, it was fine and they're replacing the lenses FOC.

So, mixed service, I think, but I was quite prepared to go elsewhere and still might next time.

I found that they kept trying to 'add on' extras making the glasses very expensive. I now always go to a local optician and they are excellent. The staff are friendly and efficient and the prices easy to understand. They gave me good advice about choosing a hospital when I had to have my cataracts done and did my follow up checks which saved me going back to the hospital.

I go to Specsavers and haven’t had any problems but my 92 year old mother had cataracts and Specsavers opticians repeatedly told her that they weren’t bad enough to do anything about. Eventually I took her to the optician at Boots and they diagnosed her straight away and referred her to the hospital. She’s now had one cateract operation and is waiting for the other to be done.
I’m of the opinion that Specsavers won’t refer people for cateract surgery because it keeps them going back for more new glasses.

I have had a similar experience at specsavers.

Had eye test - told I have cataracts and no surgery needed yet - then as I was leaving he said "By the way, don't drive at night." Now that to me says that they DO need surgery.

All three of us use Specsavers and have done for several years. We've not had any problems fortunately.

I go to Specsavers, they have always been very good with me. Last time I took up the offer of a full scan of the back of my eyes, which I paid £10 for, fascinating and informative.

PernillaVanilla, have you tried asking for a copy of your eye scan?

As I had paid for it, I thought it was mine, but, oh the huffing and puffing and put offs.
I only asked for mine, because my prescription had not been right, and as I was going to another optician, I thought they may be interested.
I did eventually get it emailed to me.

Oh that’s worrying maddyone ive used spec savers in the past, use vision express for the last few years, they picked up that I have a neavus was sent to local hospital and they have been seeing me for few years to excuse the pun keep eye on me

My husband was told (by Specsavers) all his visual problems stemmed from having cataracts and once they were removed everything would be hunky-dory. We were so relieved and went out for lunch to celebrate. Fast forward a month or so and husband finds out he has a genetic disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa. He is now registered as visually impaired. So understandably they aren't our favourite optician!

I really trust my optician at our local Specsavers . He knows I go to an eye clinic and advised me to wait as long as possible before I allow them to treat my cataracts . He knows that I am very short sighted and will have problems if they operate on one eye and correct the vision in it . My husband had to have one eye treated and he ended up having a new lense in the other eye as he could not cope , even with the right glasses , with the different eyes. I will see my optician soon so will grill him again as to why I sould not allow an operation . I turned down the chance last month because I do not feel I really need it yet.

No, I didn't ask for a copy of my scan as it showed nothing wrong. I suppose that with all the Specsavers franchises there are there are statistically likely to have some problems.

I’ve used Specsavers for several years and always find them excellent.

They even referred me to see a hospital consultant urgently, I was seen within a week.

I've been using them for both contact lenses and glasses for years. I've never had a problem and they did refer me to hospital for a potential problem.

The NICE guidance that should be followed is very clear - access to cataract surgery should not be restricted on the basis of visual acuity, but rather on how it/they affects your vision and quality of life. Also, treatment for a cataract in a second eye should be provided on the same basis as the first.

If you're ever told "they're not bad enough to be removed under NHS rules", point them to the actual rules.

Yes, we have a problem.

They told my husband that he had failed his field test (he has glaucoma in the family) - I can't fault the optimetrist, he ran the test twice, and referred to the GP.

Long story short, now (at considerable expense) a private consultant, and (a longer wait) an NHS consultant have both told him that there is no problem with his vision or his field test.

We are now wondering what to do next. He has written previously to the optimetrist to say what has happened so far (that was before we got some extra information) and has not had any acknowledgement (I wonder if someone is waiting for the "other shoe to drop"?)

We also know now that some opticians will give you an eye cover for the "wrong" eye, and allow you to use your own glasses, or an equivalent pair. This makes sense for anyone who uses glasses regularly, but this wasn't offered.