I need spectacles!!!
Feb 24th 2009, 8:39 am
#47
Not living a 9 to 5 life
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Feb 24th 2009, 8:46 am
#48
Not living a 9 to 5 life
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Re: I need spectacles!!!
With these comments at least, OF isn't taking the mick. When I first needed glasses (about 25 years ago) I started with cheapo frames and lenses. I'm now wearing specs that cost about $700 (titanium frame made in Japan, short-corridor progressive lenses with coatings).
You'll get what you pay for. In the US there are three levels of optical care. Top tier is the Ophthamologist - a medical doctor who specializes in the eyes. Next tier down is the Optometrist - not a medical doctor but a vision specialist who went to a specific optometry college. Lastly we have the Optician, the person who fits your glasses.
My wife's had the laser surgery, so she sees an Ophthamologist every year. I get a yearly checkup with an experienced Optometrist, and I get my glasses from an independent Optician who does a very good job. I'm not going back to the bottom feeders who compete on price.
To the original poster, I suggest you seek out a good Optometrist for a checkup. Many of them can also provide a decent selection of frames and lenses. Otherwise, find a good optician. Avoid Lenscrafters et al. if you can.
You'll get what you pay for. In the US there are three levels of optical care. Top tier is the Ophthamologist - a medical doctor who specializes in the eyes. Next tier down is the Optometrist - not a medical doctor but a vision specialist who went to a specific optometry college. Lastly we have the Optician, the person who fits your glasses.
My wife's had the laser surgery, so she sees an Ophthamologist every year. I get a yearly checkup with an experienced Optometrist, and I get my glasses from an independent Optician who does a very good job. I'm not going back to the bottom feeders who compete on price.
To the original poster, I suggest you seek out a good Optometrist for a checkup. Many of them can also provide a decent selection of frames and lenses. Otherwise, find a good optician. Avoid Lenscrafters et al. if you can.
Oh, I don't have vision insurance either.
Feb 24th 2009, 9:08 am
#49
The Unmod
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Glen Mills, PA
Posts: 8,870
Re: I need spectacles!!!
Not quite true. They don't do anything to the muscles so they can't return youth to the eyes. In my case they compensated by setting one eye long sighted and one near sighted, but I still needed glasses, albeit less strong for bad light either reading or driving. And then, the eyes continue to age, the muscles lose further resilience, and the prescription gets stronger.
Feb 24th 2009, 9:08 am
#50
The Unmod
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Glen Mills, PA
Posts: 8,870
Feb 25th 2009, 10:37 am
#51
Diamond Geezer
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,488
Re: I need spectacles!!!
Feb 25th 2009, 10:56 am
#52
lush
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Maine - the "Deep South" of the Northeast
Posts: 5,004
Re: I need spectacles!!!
I finally had an eye test when I went back to UK last year and ended up with glasses....gah! It was a long time coming. I also had that moment of "OMG!!! I CAN SEE!!".
Now I think it's made me a more dangerous driver though, because driving home at nights, I'm fascinated by flicking my specs up and down to see the difference!
Now I think it's made me a more dangerous driver though, because driving home at nights, I'm fascinated by flicking my specs up and down to see the difference!
Feb 25th 2009, 11:20 am
#53
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 8,497
Feb 25th 2009, 12:06 pm
#54
Not living a 9 to 5 life
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Re: I need spectacles!!!
Feb 25th 2009, 12:15 pm
#56
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,108
Re: I need spectacles!!!
I did read something about that...what doctor doesn't? Before my surgery I saw several doctors...mostly in NYC...he was the only one I felt comfortable with. He has performed Lasik on many of the NY area TV personalities...some on air...not heard of any of them having problems. He turns away patients he's not confident of treating...my daughter was one of them.
Feb 25th 2009, 2:08 pm
#57
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 8,497
Re: I need spectacles!!!
I did read something about that...what doctor doesn't? Before my surgery I saw several doctors...mostly in NYC...he was the only one I felt comfortable with. He has performed Lasik on many of the NY area TV personalities...some on air...not heard of any of them having problems. He turns away patients he's not confident of treating...my daughter was one of them.
Feb 25th 2009, 2:12 pm
#58
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,108
Re: I need spectacles!!!
Exactly. Do your research...take your time and choose the doctor you are the most comfortable with. Gut instincts count for a lot IMO.
Feb 25th 2009, 9:14 pm
#59
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Just outside of decency
Posts: 7,837
Re: I need spectacles!!!
Stevie Wonder
Ray Charles
Lenny Peters
David Blunkett
Andrea Bocelli
Horatio Nelson
Marty Feldman
Feb 26th 2009, 5:33 am
#60
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,025
Re: I need spectacles!!!
I started wearing glasses at 14, and now my eyes need re-testing every 18-24 months (i.e., the prescription changes). I am now at the point where I need bifocals (for everyday use), reading glasses (for when I'm reading for hours on end), and mid-range (for when I'm working on the computer for hours on end).
Just got replacement lenses for those three pairs of glasses, 500 GBP. Surely if your eyesight is as crap as mine I should get some disability allowance towards these bloody expensive lenses? If I didn't wear glasses I wouldn't be able to do my job, that's for sure ...
Just got replacement lenses for those three pairs of glasses, 500 GBP. Surely if your eyesight is as crap as mine I should get some disability allowance towards these bloody expensive lenses? If I didn't wear glasses I wouldn't be able to do my job, that's for sure ...
