How good are UK optometrists? (+ purpose of eye tests)?!
Question: I had an eye test in both South Africa and UK:
1.The UK optometrist performed more tests (Eg.a test were air blows against your eye. Another test involved looking at a moving red dot and counting the flashing green dots).
2.Also more options offered with the lenses (eg. brand name lenses, 3M tinting that is supposed to prevent finger prints, etc.)
3.My new frames are half-frames. The SA optometrist said that I would need glass frames that have thinning (due to half-frames) as it was better than the plastic lens for photochromic lenses. However, the UK optometrist said that I will need plastic lens that are thinned. Also photochromic lenses will prevent them from having the thinnest lenses available.
4.UK eye test results differed from the SA eye tests results (SA results showed a better improvement in eyes).
Are UK optometrists considered to be good compared to other countries? Also, hope someone can explain the purpose of above tests and what kind of lenses benefit eyes most.
Answers: I had an eye test in both South Africa and UK:
1.The UK optometrist performed more tests (Eg.a test were air blows against your eye. Another test involved looking at a moving red dot and counting the flashing green dots).
2.Also more options offered with the lenses (eg. brand name lenses, 3M tinting that is supposed to prevent finger prints, etc.)
3.My new frames are half-frames. The SA optometrist said that I would need glass frames that have thinning (due to half-frames) as it was better than the plastic lens for photochromic lenses. However, the UK optometrist said that I will need plastic lens that are thinned. Also photochromic lenses will prevent them from having the thinnest lenses available.
4.UK eye test results differed from the SA eye tests results (SA results showed a better improvement in eyes).
Are UK optometrists considered to be good compared to other countries? Also, hope someone can explain the purpose of above tests and what kind of lenses benefit eyes most.
I suspect the difference was individual, not national, and that you'd get the same variation in any two optometrists at random, anywhere. I've seen a few in my time..........and I can tell you they vary dramatically. Someone has to graduate bottom of the class, right? I've used UK optometrists and Canadian ones, and found good and bad on both sides of the Atlantic. Easily the best one I ever saw was in England. Unfortunately he is now retired.
A good test of quality is how much time they allow per appointment. If it's 15 minutes, go elsewhere.
I'll second the above. It's much more down to individual variation.
I've even done a few "mystery shopper" eye tests over the years, when on holiday or where I wasn't known, and been horrified by the superficial examinations.
The length of appointment is a pretty good guide, in the absence of personal recommendation. When booking, see what constitutes "Just a little later" as though you had an appointment clash.
Optometrist, retired (!)