Declining eyesight..

[wafter]

Can't complain as I've made it past 40 with pretty decent vision..

However, a while ago I noticed my ability to close-focus was declining, while everything defintely seems to be getting darker (both expected).

On top of this I think I'm suffering eye strain when looking at (ostensibly OK) close stuff causing pain behind they eyes and a bit of disorientation. This seems worse in the morning for some reason. I'm just getting over another bout of manflu so I do wonder if they're connected.. does this sound like the sort of decline I should expect with age, and if so presumably a nudge to see an optician..?

What's the score with eye tests? My old dear's constantly whinging that the once-family firm she's used for a long time are shite now they've become part of some dirty chain. Are independents still about? Would people recommend these over larger chains? What are they like for price, availabiliy of products etc in comparison?

Ta

 

[Drago]

I made it to 49 before needing them for reading, and now need them whenever I'm out the house.

The obvious big chain are all franchises, so are somewhat variable in customer service. I travel down an use Specsavers in MK, who are very good as I've heard not so good things about my local one.

Mrs D pays for the test for me so I don't know the cost. Their glasses are often BOGOF. I once got the test done and ordered glasses online, but it was a faff and worked out barely any cheaper so I won't bother gain.

 

[berty bassett]

probably get shot down here but noticed my eyes were failing a bit so went specsavers , dad had glaucoma so if a relative had it then the normal eye test is free . spent a bit and had the mega test with a trainee thinking she would be more thorough than someone who's done it for years and I was in there for ages and she picked up a few issues and in the end I was given a prescription for glasses . I used the prescription and got glasses on line just because the glasses in the shop seemed to me over priced. the glasses were a fraction of the price in the shop - maybe dont look as good but I am no fashion guru and just want to see when I put them on ( I know the shop have to get money back somehow ) independent shop in our town would have cost me a fortune for the test and even more for glasses and I am sorry , I am not in the position to just throw money at problems when you can get same results cheaper . it must be horrible for people in retail

 

[Drago]

I have to say, Specsavers are incredibly thorough with Mrs D.

Due to MS she's blind in one eye through a mechanism called optic neuritis and they really go out to town on her testing.

The condition isn't common and Mrs D's is one of the worst that any Doc or opticiantomertist seems to have seen so they always ask politely if their student trainee person can see it through their eye-O-scope and Mrs D is happy to oblige.

 

[tyred]

I use my local independent. No particular reason why as I know many seem happy with Specsavers, but I feel I get much better customer service from my Independent and nothing is too much trouble for them. I also feel I'm a patient rather than a just a number at SS. They are also a ten minute walk from my home whereas SS are further away so that sways the deal.

I guess they are possibly more expensive but I'm I'm the fortunate position of getting free health insurance from work so can claim half of the costs back anyway.

 

[OldShep]

At the age I get a free test every year and since shingles on the face there’s deterioration to match. I use a local independent as its handy to pop in if anything needs attention. Only the optician and another two mouths to feed and modest premises cost.
in the past I’ve been to ASDA and Boots. ASDA was cheap but it’s 34mls away and don’t go there shopping.
Boots were expensive and no wonder as not only the optometrist to pay, large posh shop, and another 6 people smartly dressed and wandering about trying to look busy. They are all mouths you're custom has to feed.

 

[HLaB]

I only made it to college (circa 18years old), I was fine at school but after a bit at college I was finding I had to sit in the front row to see the board and overnight I was short sighted but its never got worse. Last day of school I had a fit and on the first day of college but after getting glasses touch wood I've never had another. When I went for an eyetest last July, at 47 years old, I was recommended to get varifocals. I used VisionExpress for the first time as they were closest and had of range of glasses I liked. They seemed to be just as good as anyone I've used before and I like on the follow up contact lenses test the optician suggested that I continued to order them on line at third of the price given that I only use contacts for cycling.

 

[Alex321]

I have worn contact lenses for distance vision since I was 18. For about the last 25 years, I have been with Specsavers, most of that in Merthyr Tydfil, the last four years in Cowbridge, and I've never felt like "just a number". This may be partly don to the fact that I have stuck with Rigid lenses throughout my life, and each branch only seems to have 2-3 such customers, so as with Drago's wife, they like to use me as a subject for their trainees.

For close work, I have been using reading glasses for about 10 years now, currently using 2.5 strength. But those I get from Poundstretchers or similar stores, usually at £1 - £2 per pair, so I can have multiple pairs lying around the house, in the car, and in the office, and if a pair gets lost or broken it really doesn't matter much.

 

[gbb]

The declining eyesight may be temporary...
In my 40s I found I needed glasses for nearsightedness, driving was starting to become a problem, oarticually at night.
I indulged in some glasses but only for driving. Within a year or so I found i just didn't need them, focus seemed restored.
I havnt worn those in maybe 15 years or more and don't need to.
Nowadays I seem more far-sighted and increasingly struggle to read without reading glasses. But given I'm 66 now, I guess that's not bad..

 

[vickster]

I use Specsavers but do prefer the branches in the smaller towns around here rather than the bigger high streets.
Cost wise, think I paid £30 or £35 for the test with the extra OCT scan. I get £20 back from my employer plus money towards the prescription I need for VDU. I didn't get on with vari or bifocals so I have glasses for distance, computer and reading 🙄
If you use a computer for work, your employer should cover at least some of the cost of the test (by law I think?)
You can get glasses on the high st or online, optician has to give you a copy of prescription if you ask.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Specsavers Kendal are first rate. As were Tunbridge Wells in a former life.

Very thorough eye tests - over 60 so free and £5 only to pay for the invaluable OCT scan.

Unbeatable guarantee - 100 days from purchase any problem, or you just don't like your new glasses; they will change model or refund you.

 

[si_c]

During the pandemic I started getting horrible eyestrain, headaches and odd fatigue. I work on a computer and also during lockdown I spend more than my usual amount of time gaming.

Turns out my eyesight had deteriorated a little bit - not a huge amount and importantly for me differing amounts in each eye - given I had just entered my 40s I made an appointment at the nearest opticians and saw one for the first time in probably 25 years. Needed corrective vision for reading and computer work. Definitely worthwhile and work picked up some of the cost of the glasses as well as the cost of the eye test.

Reminds me it's been a couple of years now so I should probably go back and get a checkup.

 

[raleighnut]

Needed glasses since school but rarely wore them, noticed in my 40's that my eyes were better than before (shortsighted) but then in my 50's my near vision started going so reading and distance glasses now. Same Optician throughout my life, Judge Opticians in Leicester although when I first went it was Ernest B Judge and now it is his son has the shop

 

[neilrichardson55]

Can you type in a bigger font i can read this.... yep 40 and jam jars required for reading. thought life starts at 40 lololol

 

[Bazzer]

Mrs B and I have in the past tried both Boots and Specsavers, but every time have reverted back to our local independent, who we have been with since 1991.
In terms of cost, we have found the independent to be very competitive with the big brands, but it's the personal touches which seal it. - Both Mrs B and I felt part of a process when we went elsewhere. And as someone who has worn glasses for 6 decades and has had various eye problems, things like that make a big difference.
We had some concerns when the owner died unexpectedly 15 months or so ago, but the new owner seems to run the business in the same manner as his predecessor.