Again a warning for those of you not interested in the ongoing saga of my visions problems. If this is you then read no further and please come back later.
Firstly you'll remember the horrendous spectacles supplied by the large international company. Buoyed up by my success in claiming my surgery deposit be returned, I decided to email asking for comments as to why they couldn't offer the same service as I received from the independent company.
I received an email asking which branch I visited whereupon I stated that I had no problem with how the staff treated me but had questions about the chain's working practices. Following this I received a phone call asking to discuss my issues further. Incredibly the chain uses the same lens supplier as my new optician. It would seem that the people in store either were not aware of the right questions to ask or the right people to ask them of. Maybe an issue for staff training. The offer was made to change the lenses in the glasses supplied by them to the same as my new glasses which was of no use as the frames would have been unsuitable and my new prescription had changed after not wearing contact lenses for two months. When I refused the offer I was offered a full refund if I return the glasses which I accepted.
My two refunds when they materialise should cover the cost of the appointments, new glasses, new contact lenses and buy some dry eye treatment.
I know some of you expressed interest in knowing what my optician recommended for dry eyes so what follows is for them. We spent some time going over my symptoms, which types of drops, contact lens solution I used etc. and the optometrist also examined my eyes. He concluded that my dry eyes weren't too bad as I was already doing some of the right things but he made more suggestions and I came away with what he called a goodie bag.
I have a new eye bag as my old one was leaking seeds. This I have to heat up in the microwave and use for 10 minutes in the morning and another 10 minutes at teatime. After use I have to massage my eyelids to get the oils flowing from the ducts along the lid margins.
I have some capsules containing fish oil - omega 3, borage oil - omega 6, various vitamins and zinc. I have to take two of these each day. The third item in my arsenal is a bottle of preservative free drops which I can use as and when required. All of the items are available on the internet probably cheaper but I intend to support my new optician by buying replacements from there. Incidentally I'm not sure whether these are upsetting my stomach somewhat and so am experimenting with when to take them.
Once my dry eyes had been dealt with we turned to contact lenses. My prescription has been tweaked and some new rigid gas permeable lenses have been ordered in what should be a more comfortable material.
When these arrive I will need another appointment to check the fit etc. and sort out any necessary fine tuning. I'll update you about how the contact lenses go later.
Co-incidentally Martyn received an email reminding him that his sight test was due - guess where he will be going?
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Sue, you very consistently and persistently continue to treat the eye, it's good that you do not lose heart and hope for the best! I think your new rigid gas permeable lenses will go well.
ReplyDeleteI have lost heart a few times, Nadezda but not for long. I am determined to sort myself out.
DeleteUseful info re the dry eye problem Sue. Thanks
ReplyDeleteIf you want the name of the capsules and drops or more detail, David drop me an email
DeleteI'm encouraging you along your journey, all the way from New York! All the best, Tracy
ReplyDeleteThanks Tracy I appreciate it.
DeleteI think it's terrific that you are finding some relief for this. Best to you.
ReplyDeleteI'm just hoping thar it works, Sue
DeleteThis all sounds very positive, I'm rooting for you:) And I am very interested in the supplements that were suggested for you to try, do let us know how it all works out.
ReplyDeleteI will sweffling I was warned that the supplement would take some time to kick in. I will update at some point. If anyone wants specifics email me as I don't want to advocate specific brands etc here
DeleteSo sorry you are having so many problems Sue - it makes you realise just how precious eyesight is doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteYou really do, Elaine
DeleteI'm very interested in the eye patch Sue it might be useful for me. I shall ask my optician at my next visit - I have to go yearly & it's not far of now. You seem a little happier about the situation, if so I'm really pleased xx
ReplyDeleteIt's quite relaxing laying back with the heat on your eyes for 10 minutes, Jo. I have been known to nod off. It needs to be as warm as possible without feeling that it is burning. You need to judge for yourself how long to microwave it - I take 40 secs. I do feel that I am getting support now.
DeleteFingers crossed for your new contact lenses, Sue, and may Martyn pass his eye test without any complications.
ReplyDeleteThat would be good, Sarah.
DeleteI hope you get things figured out. Life is too short to be miserable.
ReplyDeleteI seem to be getting there gradually, thanks Bonnie.
DeleteI'm so glad that the news is so positive - and that the large optical company has taken responsibility for their folly. Although sometimes I think we are a bit too attached to the computer, one big benefit of social media is that simply brushing off customer complaints can have dire consequences for companies, and they know it.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Margaret. When I got the first pair of glasses I did tell the optician that I thought it was disgusting that someone with my prescription wasn't better catered for and that I was going to look into it and would take someone to task, maybe he remembered.
DeleteGlad you're almost sorted and you sorted those professionals who didn't give the right advice. I use the eye mask for my dry eyes and have daily contact lenses which, though expensive, don't give any problems.
ReplyDeleteThe soft disposable lenses are not usually available in my prescription , L and it is trickier to get good vision. Just fingers crossed that the new lenses will be OK
DeleteI would think that the large company will appreciate the feedback that you have given them Sue and it's good to know that they got back to you reasonably quickly. Maybe as you say an issue for staff training. I was not aware that there were heated eye bags and wonder what's inside them. You mentioned seeds but no doubt not the sort that we will all be happily sowing before too long.
ReplyDeleteThey did say that they would be acting on my feedback, Anna. I did give them one or two other pointers too.
DeleteThe seeds are flax seeds - funnily enough I do grow ornamental flax - linum rubra. You can get some bags to take on holidays if you haven't access to a microwave - although apparently you can carefully warm them in a low temp oven. The travel types have a tear off strip that causes some sort of chemical reaction to heat them and are inly fr use once and so more expensive.
As for sowing - yes seeds are starting to arrive now.
I'm so glad you're happy with your new optician. I always support mine even though it's a little more expensive, it really is so very worth it. I think I mentioned before the horror my other half had with a big chain. My middle boy was given a pair of glasses by them that were FAR too small as well. We now all travel a bit further to my wonderful optician, who I've been visiting since I was 5. I live in fear of her retiring. Every time I have an eye test I try and calculate how old she is and how much longer we have left together. No idea what I'll do when the day arrives! I have rigid gas permeable contact lenses. I was just telling my middle boy today that most of the time I forget they're there. I hope you get on well with them.
ReplyDeleteFortunately my new optician is actually nearer. I've always worn rigid gas permeable lenses well since they came out before that they weren't gas permeable just rigid. I started wearing them when I was 19 - lots of years ago :-) and always found them comfortable until last year. I'm hoping the new material suits me aand I get back to not knowing they were in. People were unaware that I wore them as I wore them full time.
DeleteI ended up at the large chain by default as I had an independent optician who was bought out and then bought out again. When yours retires ask for a recommendation from her - maybe she will sell to someone equally as good.
Great that the big chain company replied your mail! At Least they have concern on their quality. Hope you get the best solution for your dry eyes!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Malar. I was surprised that the company rang me.
DeleteThis is all sounding extremely positive!!! Hopefully it won't be long before you are telling us that you have suitable contact lenses and no dry eyes! The treatment is interesting. You go gal...take on the big guys, and don't put up with any nonsense in the future!!!xxx
ReplyDeleteI go back on Wednesday to pick up the contact lenses and have the fitting etc checked, Dina I think it's more a case of managing dry eye thantreating it I think it's just a long-term management situation.
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