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Don't know what to do and because money is tight don't want to/can't afford to make the wrong decision.
I have complex vision - high myopic, astigmatism (and now, possibly irregular astigmatism due to corneal warping), and amblyopia/convergence insufficiency - which causes a lazy eye/double-vision). Got worse in recent years but achieved relatively okay vision with rigid gas permeable contacts.
Dry eye has now got so bad, corneas damaged, and can't really wear contacts at all. Desperate to see a decent optometrist experienced enough to fit glasses that will give me as functional vision as possible (will never be as good as with contacts).
I've had bad and good experiences with independent opticians. Some are very good (like my old one), but others aren't and are more concerned about profits than anything else. But I keep getting told that large chains won't have the expertise for my complex issues. My current glasses are dreadful. The vision is so warped so I'm desperate for something better. I'm on the waiting list for nhs optometrist (hopefully for scleral contacts but if nothing else they can fit complex vision glasses) but the waiting time is several months so I want to get something to keep me going.
Has anyone had reasaonably good experience at a chain optician? I know they're franchises so some are good, others not. I think my local has a decent reputation - but not sure if they are equipped to deal with my prescription.
There is an independent nearish me (although nowhere near as close as the chain one) with experience in complex fittings, but I'm a bit put off because they give different booking availability depending on whether you are eligible for free nhs sight tests or are getting a private one. I get free tests because of my vision. I can't help thinking they offer a lesser service to nhs patients - perhaps they see nhs patients are poor and "no use" to them in terms of possibly buying expensive frames, etc? I called to ask but the receptionist was either confused or didn't want to answer.
I have complex vision - high myopic, astigmatism (and now, possibly irregular astigmatism due to corneal warping), and amblyopia/convergence insufficiency - which causes a lazy eye/double-vision). Got worse in recent years but achieved relatively okay vision with rigid gas permeable contacts.
Dry eye has now got so bad, corneas damaged, and can't really wear contacts at all. Desperate to see a decent optometrist experienced enough to fit glasses that will give me as functional vision as possible (will never be as good as with contacts).
I've had bad and good experiences with independent opticians. Some are very good (like my old one), but others aren't and are more concerned about profits than anything else. But I keep getting told that large chains won't have the expertise for my complex issues. My current glasses are dreadful. The vision is so warped so I'm desperate for something better. I'm on the waiting list for nhs optometrist (hopefully for scleral contacts but if nothing else they can fit complex vision glasses) but the waiting time is several months so I want to get something to keep me going.
Has anyone had reasaonably good experience at a chain optician? I know they're franchises so some are good, others not. I think my local has a decent reputation - but not sure if they are equipped to deal with my prescription.
There is an independent nearish me (although nowhere near as close as the chain one) with experience in complex fittings, but I'm a bit put off because they give different booking availability depending on whether you are eligible for free nhs sight tests or are getting a private one. I get free tests because of my vision. I can't help thinking they offer a lesser service to nhs patients - perhaps they see nhs patients are poor and "no use" to them in terms of possibly buying expensive frames, etc? I called to ask but the receptionist was either confused or didn't want to answer.
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