Worth a Second Opinion

[Marilyn1959]

After a sight scare in June had an emergency eye test with long standing opticians Specsavers. Results fine with little change from previous year. Three months later had another test at Specsavers since long distance sight was blurry and night driving hazardous. Test told an apparently different story - signs of cataracts, mention of Glucoma monitoring and sight changed in both eyes by 1.00 point. This change was in just three months, which coincided with starting pred. Specsavers optician assumed changes were probably pred induced.

Since this change had apparently happened so quickly, didn't rush to order new glasses as I wanted to see if there was any further change over next couple of months before spending £350!

Last week decided impromptu to have another test, this time at Tesco. Once tested I showed the new optician at Tesco my new prescription from Specsavers. He asked to check the prescription from my current glasses as well.

When he came back he changed the testing lenses so that, in succession, I tried current lenses, newly prescribed lenses from Specsavers and lenses he prescribed. The difference was phenomenal! With the new prescription from Specsavers I could only see 50% of what I could see with the Tesco lenses. Why???????

Because both current glasses prescription and new Specsavers prescription were too strong. The new Tesco prescription is weaker than I have had for three years with Specsavers!

So I can only conclude that either my sight has improved whilst I have been on pred or Specsavers got it wrong - twice!

In respect of cataracts and worries over rising indicators towards Glucoma, which obviously concerned me and may have forced my hand to try to taper pred levels more quickly, the new optician compared the three year record I had obtained from Specsavers and the results from the tests he had done. He told me that over the three years there had not been any significant change and assured me I had nothing to worry about at present.

So........ It is definitely worth getting a second opinion.

[CT-5012]

Ouch, that's not a good recommendation for Specsavers. Glad you got it sorted out eventually. Think I might be making a written complaint. Thanks for sharing your experience. All the best.

[SheffieldJane]

Gosh how interesting and worrying at the same time. Are you short or long sighted?

There is no sign of glaucoma or cataracts?

I read quite comfortably without glasses. Not sure that bifocals are indicated anymore.

You've made me want another eye test with my rather fierce Japanese optician, or maybe I should try another one too.

[Marilyn1959 in reply to SheffieldJane]

I have varifocals Jane and wear them constantly for both reading and distance. I had said to hubby that instead of looking through top of lenses I was looking over the top of glasses for distance and when drvimg at nightime. This meant I am effectively not using the lenses at all - something I hadn't done for years. I remember saying to hubby that perhaps my sight was improving, so it makes sense that the current lenses are too strong if my sight is indeed better without them. No signs of Glucoma at all, cataract very slight - age related expectations.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Marilyn1959]

I meant varifocals of course Marilyn. That seems to be the state of my eye health too. I'd be inclined to complain to Specsavers, somebody is not doing their job properly.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Marilyn1959]

OH had a similar experience - he suddenly realised he didn't see as well with his "driving" glasses. Meant getting his driving licence changed though!!!

[maria40]

I was very disappointed with Specsavers. I've worn varifocals for years but those which they prescribed and dispensed were impossible, functioning almost like old fashioned bifocals with a distinct 'jump' between each section. I now go to an independent optician which runs a clinic with a medical qualified opthamologist. Much better.

[Zofitmogelijk]

Thank you for sharing this, what a difference between Tesco and specsavers. I just had the same 50 % diagnose from specsavers so I know now what to do. Aletta

[Jackoh]

Good that you had second opinion! I go to Tesco for tests etc - have been very pleased with the service I receive. Jackie x

[Marilyn1959 in reply to Jackoh]

Have just ordered glasses from Tesco. Thanks for the confirmation recommendation Jackie. Our Tesco optician is being taken over by Vision Express in a few weeks time. Don't know if this is just local or national?

[Cobnut]

Hello Marilyn I have been taking pred for 30 months now with high doses at times for GCA flareups and like you my vision was badly affected probably because I was lucky to keep my sight. I gave up driving as the combination of steroid brain fog and bad eyesight rather forced it upon me. As my vision got more blurry I asked my GP if it was the steroids who immediately sent me for a thorough eye test. It was then that I found out that I had Glaucoma and was sent for a hospital appointment. I now have to put drops in my eyes for the rest of my life. I also have frequent field of vision tests etc. This year I spent £540 on new glasses with excellent varifocal lenses which I never had from Specsavers. My advice is therefore, get expert advice as your eyes are precious. And also watch your teeth carefully as pred affects them too! ps I am now down to 7mg and seem to be stuck there as when I reduce I get awful aches and pains. However I have lost weight, feel well and am driving again. Life is good.

[Marilyn1959 in reply to Cobnut]

Lots of positives Cobnuts. Pleased you are driving again. Can't imagine life without the ease of driving from A to B. Stick to 7mgs and have a life I say! Envious of weight loss. I am definitely at chipmunk stage, but no longer a face like map of England! Always a silver lining to be had if you look hard enough xx

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not sure if it was the S lot or the VE lot - my daughter was sold a pair of reactolites that were useless as sunglasses for driving since they took so long to change and the lenses weren't fitted properly, the centre of one was a fraction out and so she couldn't see properly and always had a headache. It was an expensive problem - they didn't want to know.

I took her to my independent guy - all identified and sorted and had anything been wrong with HIS specs they'd have been changed at his expense. He's doing a wonderful job for a friend on another forum with major problems due to Sjogren's. She'd had similar guff given her from another.

I had a dodgy set from a chain in Germany - they didn't want to know either. My independent guy took the large lenses and fitted them in a small cheap frame so it was not a total loss.

In my book: independents rule! And if you don't want so-called designer rubbish and be forced into taking a so-called freebie (which never is) avoid the chains.

[HeronNS in reply to PMRpro]

Before I got glasses my father would take me to the movies and why he never wondered why I sat there making a little pinhole viewer with my thumbs and forefingers so I could see I don't know. It was a teacher who told him I was extremely near sighted, and I was nine.

[Marilyn1959 in reply to HeronNS]

That's sad Heron. Having been a teacher it often puzzled me that I was the one who noticed a child's eyesight was poor and would wonder why the parent had missed it! However once I was a parent I realised that idiosyncrasies displayed by a child on a day to day basis at home become the 'norm' and children are good at developing coping strategies. Don't be too harsh on your Dad, he may have thought you just liked to play telescopes at the movies????

[HeronNS in reply to Marilyn1959]

I think it embarrassed him because he wanted me to stop. There was no excuse, really, as he was a doctor! But I didn't know there was anything wrong, children don't know,. I remember reading about a little girl who had always had a headache, that's just the way her world was. I think eventually they found she had some allergies and when the offending foods or whatever were removed her headache went away and she discovered what it was like to not have one. Makes you wonder what we put up with all our lives which maybe we don't need to, but we don't know there is any other way?

[Marilyn1959 in reply to HeronNS]

My hubby was a Headteacher and wouldn't accept our youngest had learning difficulties when I tried to mention it. Hubby said son was just a late developer. Turns out we were both right. Son had learning difficulties and eyesight problem. Both addressed, resulting in late developer with pleasing exam results by the end of schooling. Plus, by going through the hard route, has developed resilience, determination, an excellent work ethic as well as empathy. I would employ him any day of the week!

[HeronNS in reply to Marilyn1959]

And it was a friend of mine who observed my four year old daughter having a meltdown and said, that child has allergies. And it turned out this was the case. Mild allergies to some foods and food colouring which made her very emotional and quick to get upset. A much more equanimous child emerged after the offending substances were removed or reduced!

[Marilyn1959 in reply to HeronNS]

There you go. You have proved me right by your own story of your daughter. It is often an 'outsider' rather than a parent who can see things objectively. I rest my case. X

[S4ndy]

I agree with you pmrpro, independents are great. My guy has really up to date kit including the ability to photograph blood vessels in the eye. He's been doing this for me and can actually show me if there's any changes. I only pay NHS eye test cost. However his frames and lenses are very expensive so I usually get my prescription fulfilled online using a company that opticians actually use. I might add I have been wearing specs since I was 2 yrs old!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to S4ndy]

I can't claim that long - just since age 7 and it should have been earlier! I can remember discovering trees had leaves as we went home on the bus

George invested in all the gear too - he had done research until he realised his peers were earning about 4 times what he was so went into business and indulged himself. But 4 opticians got together to form a buying group which brought their prices down a lot and, as he said, if you are something out of the ordinary we can beat SS or VE - they just want the easy run of the mill stuff.

He was as good as his word. His ?GCA patients were put ahead of anyone else, examined, the local eye department phoned and told a patient was on their way and they were sent along with a letter and all test results in their sweaty little paw. I think it was the first time I came across GCA in real life - because I had had to wait - and then we discussed it all.

[Marilyn1959 in reply to PMRpro]

It must have opened a completely different visual world for you PRMPRO! Your recollection of seeing leaves for the first time aged 7 has really touched me. How we take sight for granted eh?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Marilyn1959]

You know how kids draw trees? A green cloud? That's what I thought they were meant to be like!!!!

[Wraysbury in reply to S4ndy]

Are u UK. Which company do u use to make ur glasses??

[jannie21]

I have used Specsavers for many years now and only had one problem which was not due to the sight test but the fitting. They were impossible to wear and they had messed around for so long with the frame that they replaced them with no problem. I am also extremely grateful to one of their opticians who, about 3 years ago now, found a naevus on one of my eyes. They emailed my hospital who phoned me within 2 days and saw me within a week. I was monitored frequently to start with but as it has not grown the intervals are now longer.

One can only speak as one finds, my father was a manufacturing optician so I am not exactly without some knowledge in this area.

[Marilyn1959 in reply to jannie21]

I have used Specsavers for thirty odd years myself and always thought they provided a good service. I know the staff well, however the optician has changed in the last couple of years, and the machinery used in this particular store has been updated. Whether these changes have any bearing I don't know. I didn't intend to 'slate' a particular optician but posted my experience to encourage others to seek a second opinion if their gut tells them something isn't right. So the moral of the story is 'Trust Your Gut!'

[Rimmy]

We also have Specsavers here in OZ - but obviously its different practitioners wherever you go. I have found my eyesight has become quite 'variable' since my diagnosis of GCA getting closer to 2 years ago. About a year ago I decided to get new multi-focals as I felt they needed upgrading. Turns out I 'needed' a weaker prescription - which I thought was odd but then they seemed to be less effective than NOT wearing them at all for long and mid distance so have become something closer to just readers when I need to see small print. My vision - especially changing 'fields of vision' seems to be all over the place although my eyes have been checked as 'OK' - so I am waiting to taper further before getting new ones again. Pred seems to make my eyes blurry on and off as well - but I know many people share this as a common side effect.

[AndrewT]

Dear Marilyn1959,

I had a similar experience, not so much, over the actual Prescription but Certainly the price! I used to use an Optician, some distance from where I live, basically because it was recommended. the 'Best Bet' there was to talk to your Bank Manager first! I latterly tried the BOOTS Optician, in the Town- I live in Clacton- and found them Brilliant. I'll admit that you did have to Book, your appointment- don't you always?- but they were prompt, thorough and, best of all, NOT too expensive either. (I actually don't, have to, pay for Standard Glasses/Lenses in any case- even better.) I also 'Felt' more 'At Ease', in their premises- maybe that's NOT rational....No maybe not, but.....

So YES do, shop around, it CAN 'Pay Dividends'. Warmest Wishes

AndrewT