Hey guys, i was wondering if there are any good opticians in the Belfast area? i went to one just down the road there 2c if i could get a new pair of glasses (even though they're of little use) but the optician refused to see me. he said that it was the hospital and the hospital only which should deal with KC patients, is this true? I've never had problems like this b4!
Emma
Good Opticians in Belfast?
Moderators: Anne Klepacz, John Smith, Sweet
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Emma_Marie
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- Joined: Mon 12 Dec 2005 10:28 pm
- Location: N. Ireland
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John Smith
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- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Graft(s) and spectacles
- Location: Sidcup, Kent
That sounds really bad, and I've certainly not heard of that happening before - at least, not in England.
Was the optician a well-known high street one? If so, it may just be money talking, as the big names often have tighter overheads (and lower prices) but less chair time per patient. Try another optician, preferably a smaller practice.
Best of luck,
Was the optician a well-known high street one? If so, it may just be money talking, as the big names often have tighter overheads (and lower prices) but less chair time per patient. Try another optician, preferably a smaller practice.
Best of luck,
John
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Sweet
- Committee
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- Joined: Sun 10 Apr 2005 11:22 pm
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Graft(s) and contact lenses
- Location: London / South Wales
Hey there! Maybe this is a celt thing then, as i have been sent away a few times in the past in Wales when i was trying to get new lenses. I was told the same thing, that you need to be seen by a consultant and get someone who specialises in KC. This is kinda true i guess, as you do need some experience in fitting lenses, and i was given the practice numbers of people who did fit them so it wasn't so bad.
To me, i guess i thought it was good that they were honest in not being able to fit lenses, whereas they could have just taken me on and i might not have gotten anywhere! If you have a consultant at a hospital they are usually really good at being able to recommend someone, as not all hospitals provide lenses and lens check ups. So i would suggest going to them to find out, or to phone some specialist practices and ask what their experience with KC is. It really pays to find an optometrist you trust to fit lenses, so wishing you all the best!
Lastly, you don't always have to go to a hospital to get a specialist, some high street opticians do it as well, but you need to find this out first. The major benefit with high street names (im talking private practices now, not Specsavers etc!) is that the wait for an appointment is not as long as with a hospital. So if you have a sudden problem with your lenses you would probably be able to book an appointment pretty quickly.
Take care, Sweet X x X
To me, i guess i thought it was good that they were honest in not being able to fit lenses, whereas they could have just taken me on and i might not have gotten anywhere! If you have a consultant at a hospital they are usually really good at being able to recommend someone, as not all hospitals provide lenses and lens check ups. So i would suggest going to them to find out, or to phone some specialist practices and ask what their experience with KC is. It really pays to find an optometrist you trust to fit lenses, so wishing you all the best!
Lastly, you don't always have to go to a hospital to get a specialist, some high street opticians do it as well, but you need to find this out first. The major benefit with high street names (im talking private practices now, not Specsavers etc!) is that the wait for an appointment is not as long as with a hospital. So if you have a sudden problem with your lenses you would probably be able to book an appointment pretty quickly.
Take care, Sweet X x X
Sweet X x X
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