I need glasses

OGroteKoning

OGroteKoning

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Yup - I need glasses. I don't know where to go. I don't have a medical aid that sponsors part of the purchase so I have to shop around. I don't know where to start. Can anyone recommend a good optometrist. I know there are some that will throw in driving/dark glasses (don't know who though). Also is it worth it to get transition lenses?
 
I generally just go to whoever has the best deal on frames at any given time. Unless you've got major issues, most optometrists are pretty much the same.

I also have medical aid who will cover it using my savings, so I'm not sure if there are any places that will offer you a better deal for paying cash.

In regards to transition lenses, it depends. I used to live in Natal and got by fine without them. Then I moved to Cape Town and I immediately noticed the light was harsher down here. As soon as my old glasses broke I got new ones with transition lenses. Yay for no more squinting outside!
 
zolly said:
I generally just go to whoever has the best deal on frames at any given time. Unless you've got major issues, most optometrists are pretty much the same.

I also have medical aid who will cover it using my savings, so I'm not sure if there are any places that will offer you a better deal for paying cash.

In regards to transition lenses, it depends. I used to live in Natal and got by fine without them. Then I moved to Cape Town and I immediately noticed the light was harsher down here. As soon as my old glasses broke I got new ones with transition lenses. Yay for no more squinting outside!
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No serious problems - my eyes just get tired quickly nowadays and everything is not as sharp as it used to be.
 
satanboy said:
avoid SpecSavers
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You have clearly not been to Specsaves Clearwater Mall and visited Marguerite Stander. You will WANT to see better!

My bother is an optometrist and he notes that most optometrists will source lenses from one or 2 suppliers in their vicinity or province. The quality of the result is dependent on the diagnosis of the optom and the specs he/she sends though to the lens supplier.

Specsavers are able to offer the rates they do due to the bulk they buy or charging your more for things like polarization/transitioning/etc which make up for the loss they make on standard lenses and frames.

Again, it is the skill of the Optometrist and not the outlet that determines whether you walk out satisfied. Private optometrists cannot afford comebacks but generally change more
 
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satanboy said:
avoid SpecSavers
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Also want to know why? I've used them for the last 10 years. Happy with the service & quality.

My last eye test was marginally off the previous 4 years, but after 4 years of the same frames, new ones were needed (falling asleep with glasses = not good for frames ;)) I now have Daniel Hechter frames for my glasses and Tommy Hilfiger frames for my Sunglasses, with the anti glare, anti scratch and polarized sunglasses. Set me back about R600 ontop of what discovery paid...
 
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satanboy said:
avoid SpecSavers
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+1

I went to one for my first eye test (last year) they did the test and came up with some BS that they would give me 2 sets of glasses, one with a weaker prescription so my eyes would get used to it and one with the actual prescription. Because of their 2 for 1 deal or some nonsense. I thought it was bs so I went to a private optometrists, gave them my spec-savers prescription and they offered to test my eyes for free just to check. So I agreed, long story short, spec-savers were off by a fair margin and I got a nice designer frame from Oakleys that they had and all paid for by my medical aid. Easy and simple. The spec-savers would actually have costed me more if I went the 2 frames route choosing designer frames.
 
Spectacle wharehouse generally have the best prices and great service.
 
satanboy said:
I had bad service from the Tyger Valley store (and so has my SO and other people I know).
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OP is n PTA. Why would you think all Spec Savers need to be avoided cos of your experiences at Tyger Valley :wtf: o grote, Spec savers Centurion Mall is excellent with their service, staff are knowledgable and advise well, the team of opticians incl the owner, Johan, I think are top notch. Look out for their specials
 
lcbxx said:
You have clearly not been to Specsaves Clearwater Mall and visited Marguerite Stander. You will WANT to see better!

My bother is an optometrist and he notes that most optometrists will source lenses from one or 2 suppliers in their vicinity or province. The quality of the result is dependent on the diagnosis of the optom and the specs he/she sends though to the lens supplier.

Specsavers are able to offer the rates they do due to the bulk they buy or charging your more for things like polarization/transitioning/etc which make up for the loss they make on standard lenses and frames.

Again, it is the skill of the Optometrist and not the outlet that determines whether you walk out satisfied. Private optometrists cannot afford comebacks but generally change more
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I'd avoid the franchises and find a private optometrist.

An optometrist told me that some of the franchise people will make a prescription fractionally stronger than necessary and it's bad for your eyes.
 
The optom at my local SpecSavers, Tim Seaman, is brilliant.

Then again, a privateer might some cheaper frames lying around (old stock, samples, etc) and you could save a bit.
 
lcbxx said:
Private optometrists cannot afford comebacks but generally change more
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True that. We cannot afford comebacks. We moved away from a cheaper lens a few years ago as the comebacks were slowly growing and rather opted for better quality lenses after we used and tested these new lenses ourselves - that combined with a few other tricks reduced our comebacks to <1 per year. :cool:

Optometrists have the option these days to reduce their comeback risk by using a lab like eg. Hoya that provides the optometrist with a comeback insurance of sorts when using their lenses. They will assist where necessary and help the client to acclimate to their new lenses - failing that, they'll eg. provide bifocal lenses in those extreme cases where the patient simply cannot adjust to using their multifocals at all. Had a chat with a their rep the other day and it seems like some optometrists expects their patients to adjust to their lenses without any guidance.

@specsavers
Nothing wrong with specsavers. We've had mixed results/experiences with specsavers and various other optometrists and clinics. It is all about the optometrist in the end. That and the weakest link in the chain - the tired/overworked dudes that make your glasses in the lab and are supposed to pick up problems during final QA checking.

Edit:
maumau said:
I'd avoid the franchises and find a private optometrist. An optometrist told me that some of the franchise people will make a prescription fractionally stronger than necessary and it's bad for your eyes.
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If a franchise people can do it a private people can do it as well. This is no reason to avoid a whole franchise.
 
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lcbxx said:
You have clearly not been to Specsaves Clearwater Mall and visited Marguerite Stander. You will WANT to see better!
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Settled!

Eye test this weekend with Marguerite
 
Well, I'm picking up my new pair from Cavendish Spec Savers early next week. Hope they are okay!

They are having a special at the moment where you get R1500 towards your frame, so with my piddly medical aid, I managed to get good frames (I hope) and got the anti glare coating, etc.

We'll see...
 
copacetic said:
Well, I'm picking up my new pair from Cavendish Spec Savers early next week. Hope they are okay!

They are having a special at the moment where you get R1500 towards your frame, so with my piddly medical aid, I managed to get good frames (I hope) and got the anti glare coating, etc.

We'll see...
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Jeez...are they on special delivery from Mordor? I got my specs the same day.

Don't start me on Medical Aid....I am with Discovery - ZERO cover.
 
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