https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/1iag5w6/are_opticians_just_glorified_salesmans_now/
created by cankennykencan on 26/01/2025 at 14:40 UTC
328 upvotes, 113 top-level comments (showing 25)
Last few times I've been opticians I've mentioned a few issues with my eyes and they don't really care or seem interested.
All they seem to want is to sell me glasses.
I have a slight squashed eyeball which causes no issues and my eye sight is very good. But all they want to do is pass me to the girls outside for glasses and then upsell me.
I don't want to wear glasses
Why has the world gone like this.
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Comment by WelcometotheZhongguo at 26/01/2025 at 14:45 UTC*
756 upvotes, 6 direct replies
You mean the qualified optometrist that’s testing your eyes with the big machine?
Or the salesperson that works in the glasses shop that has the opticians at the back?!
Comment by becomingShay at 26/01/2025 at 14:47 UTC
238 upvotes, 4 direct replies
You’ve mentioned a few issues with your eyes … but seem upset that they’ve offered you glasses? What were you hoping for when you mentioned eye issues?
To answer your question, no. They’re not glorified salespeople. I went in for an eye test, with blurry vision and headaches. After the optometrist did a number of tests she found I had swelling on the brain which was crushing my optic nerve and I was admitted straight to hospital after she made a phone call.
Probably saved my life, also didn’t try to sell me glasses while I was there.
Comment by SharkByte1993 at 26/01/2025 at 14:53 UTC
46 upvotes, 1 direct replies
It's worth noting that glasses correct other issues as well. Not just short/long distance sighted. They also correct lazy eyes and other things
Comment by Scared-Room-9962 at 26/01/2025 at 14:49 UTC
341 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Yeah they're salesmen.
Last time I went, they made made me read some letters on a chart. When I couldn't do it because everything was just a blur, the cheeky bar stewards started trying to up sell me some glasses to "correct the issue".
I told them to fuck off and then wrote my car off on the way home.
Comment by is_that_a_wolf at 26/01/2025 at 14:55 UTC
50 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Optician no, the salespeople at the front, yes.
I just politely ask them to give me the prescription and that I'm not interested in new frames. They buzz off nicely after that.
Comment by CalligrapherShort121 at 26/01/2025 at 15:04 UTC
29 upvotes, 5 direct replies
Went to Specsavers 2 weeks ago. Full eye check with explanations of the tests and results. Then bought new glasses. But there was no pressure on what I chose and no long list of upgrades. The price was the price as stated clearly on both the frames (including std lenses) and on their website.
I know from the past some opticians will try and sell fancy coatings (that end up peeling - no thanks) but Specsavers did none of this. Straight forward and I paid only what I already knew would be the price from the website. Obviously, had I needed varifocal or had some other complication it might have been a little more complicated.
Comment by NecktieNomad at 26/01/2025 at 15:14 UTC
17 upvotes, 0 direct replies
What exactly do you want them to do about the issues you’ve raised that seem to cause you no issues (as you’ve confirmed)?
Honestly, they don’t want to sell you empty frames, so I presume you have a lense prescription at least? And yes, unless you are clear that you don’t want new frames the ‘salespeople’ will assume you want new frames and will attempt to assist you in choosing some. If your current frames are more than a few years old it’s probably not a bad idea to get new ones.
I have a stupidly high glasses prescription, the lenses of which seriously reduce my choice of frames. I *need* assistance from the FoH guys if I am to change my frames.
Comment by 811545b2-4ff7-4041 at 26/01/2025 at 14:45 UTC
14 upvotes, 2 direct replies
My optician is great. I've had a few eye problems in the last few years, and they're certainly not there to sell me glasses. £40 + NHS vouchers gets me a very comprehensive eye exam, retinal scans, and if there are problems, letters sent to my GP.
Comment by quellflynn at 26/01/2025 at 16:12 UTC
12 upvotes, 0 direct replies
what even is this complaint. if your eyes are fine then why go to the optician?
if the optician recommends you wear glasses and you know better, then why go to the optician?
I'm not discouraging going and getting your eyes checked, but when the base solution of getting eyes fixed is glasses, and you won't wear glasses it's all a bit pointless
Comment by BackgroundGate3 at 26/01/2025 at 15:01 UTC
7 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I go to Specsavers and can't fault the eye test. They're always very thorough and ask lots of questions. In fact at my last eye test, they didn't sell me any glasses at all as my prescription hadn't changed.
Comment by royalblue1982 at 26/01/2025 at 14:48 UTC
11 upvotes, 0 direct replies
My local specsavers was pretty good when I was considering getting contact lenses. I had an appointment to check that my eyes were suitable and to ask what sort of lenses I wanted. They then got the lenses made and arranged another appointment showing me how to put them in. When I struggled and realised that it wasn't going to work for me they just said that I could contact them in the future if I changed my mind and we'd try again.
All of this was free.
Comment by Ill_Abies3952 at 26/01/2025 at 14:45 UTC
38 upvotes, 8 direct replies
You should try going to a local independent opticians, I’ve had far better experiences there than with specsavers or similar places.
Comment by Vic_Serotonin at 26/01/2025 at 15:35 UTC
8 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Had eye test at local company. They wanted 850 for two sets of glasses. Took prescription to Asda. 120 quid and the girl didn’t give a shit if I bought them or not. I’m all for supporting local firms but their prices were just crazy.
Comment by chazwomaq at 26/01/2025 at 15:30 UTC*
9 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I had a vision problem and was unable to get an appointment with my doctor for weeks.
I went to SpecSavers and they saw me there and then, with an OCT machine. 10 minutes later the optometrist was able to see I had CSR, and referred me directly to an NHS consultant. It cost about £30. They were brilliant, and worth every penny.
Comment by Slothjitzu at 26/01/2025 at 15:31 UTC
9 upvotes, 0 direct replies
This isn't my experience at all tbh.
I only went for the first time at like 25ish and they told me I needed glasses, and I discovered I actually very clearly do.
I've been for a few checkups since and every time they tell me my prescription is the same, and I go along my way.
Then just recently I had a rare complication from conjunctivitis and they saw me on the same day, and gave me prescription steroid drops and a softening gel. They booked me in for 3 days later, and then another 2 days after that just to make sure it was working.
I would say though, if the squashed eyeball is fine (I don't know what that is tbh) then what do you expect them to do about it? And if they're telling you that you need glasses, why do you think you don't?
Comment by Sweaty-Adeptness1541 at 26/01/2025 at 16:01 UTC*
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
On the high street:
They are businesses and are trying to make a profit while adhering to professional standards.
In addition, in hospitals/clinics you find:
Comment by FenderMike at 26/01/2025 at 15:42 UTC
7 upvotes, 1 direct replies
EDIT: after rereading OPs post... yeah dude if you go to the opticians because you have issued with your eyes and they determine you need glasses... you cant just get mad at them and say you don't want glasses. you say your eyesight is very good, but qualified professionals are telling you that you would benefit from corrective lenses. you could even try contacts if you don't want glasses.
tldr i assumed OP was getting eyes tested and was being pushed to buy new frames, but no he just doesnt want to wear glasses at all despite going to the opticians for eye problems.
last time i went in to get new lenses in my current frames they said they couldn't do that as after a couple of years the plastic can get brittle and replacing the frames might damage them... right... like the same plastic that chokes turtles for up to 1000 years if i chuck them in the sea?
went online, sent frames away, 2 days later back with a new prescription.
Comment by Scones2 at 26/01/2025 at 16:05 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I work at an opticians as an optical consultant!
Honestly, I don't see myself as a salesman. I will listen to the handover from an Optician and recommend lenses based on what the optician found on the day.
If your prescription is +/-3 diopters, I will explain and probably recommend lens thinning. If you don't want it after I explain it, that's absolutely fine.
In terms of varifocals, the best ones do cost significantly more. The designer ones are ones that we recommend most due to the benefits they have, such as having a wider field of vision when using the reading and intermediate segments. But if you'd rather spend £50 on the upgrade rather than £300+ for the best one, that's absolutely fine, no skin off my back.
I don't really have the job to make my business money, the shareholders already have enough. I just want you to leave with as much information as you need, with the lenses you need
Comment by Valuable_K at 26/01/2025 at 14:45 UTC
11 upvotes, 1 direct replies
If you have problems with your eyes that you don't think corrective lenses can solve, go and see an optometrist.
Comment by Pericombobulator at 26/01/2025 at 15:16 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
When you can get free eye tests, where do you think they would make their money?
Comment by Character_State4109 at 26/01/2025 at 15:36 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Took me a few goes to figure out my measurements but now I can get exactly the right size frames online for less than £20.
Comment by RetiredFromIT at 26/01/2025 at 15:37 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I make it clear to my optician from the outset that I don't plan to necessarily buy glasses there, and just need my eyes examined and tested and be given a printed prescription.
If they are not happy with that, I go somewhere else - their choice. As a diabetic, and now over 60, my eye tests are funded by the NHS, so they are getting paid for the examination and test.
Then if I am allowed to quietly browse, before or after the test, I do so. But any attempt at a hard sell is going to fail.
I've used a number of online glasses suppliers, over the last 15 years, and have not had a problem. The cost difference is amazing.
Comment by Snooker1471 at 26/01/2025 at 16:38 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I think every place that does eye tests will try to sell you glasses if your prescription has changed to be fair. I would also say my experience in the quality of care between different opticians varies wildy. I have to give a huge shotout to the optometrist in Specsavers Canterbury who when his assistants couldn't get a measurement from the machine that does the puff of air he pleaded with me to go see him the next day at a branch 10 miles away. I did so as I actually had a sore/red eye hence the visit. Next day I went and seen him at the other store where he has a better handheld device and when he took my reading he said he would have to refer me to the eye clinic at the local hospital. Lol @ me telling the misses that I would probably be contacted in a months times blah blah blah....Nope the hospital had called me within 30 mins and I was straight to the top of the queue when I arrived.....much to the disgust of those waiting lol . That guy probably saved my sight. Glaucoma in both eyes. Reading was fairly high in one of them and very high in the other. I had been to a different specsavers in scotland about 3 weeks prior (I split my time between Scotland and england) - Who had said I had "dry eyes" and gave me drops and sold me £200 worth of glasses.....I mean the glasses are correct and all but missing the glaucoma when they ALSO couldn't get a reading from the puff test was pretty poor imho. I now have had laser in both eyes and im on drops for life and thankfully things are under control at this point in time.
Comment by HowCanYouBanAJoke at 26/01/2025 at 14:45 UTC
8 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Why not provide what your eye test results were and let us see if you're just being a pita?