Most of us choose an optician probably the same way we choose a supermarket: convenient location, a good deal, it looks good and, hey, job done. Just an FYI -some of the information in this article is based on my own personal experience too.
If you’ve ever had glasses that never felt quite right, headaches that didn’t make sense, or lenses that looked fine in-store but felt awful in real life, do you hear what I am saying? I have experienced all these, by the way, and over time I have learned that a good optical practice isn’t just someone who sells frames.
A great optician helps you see well, feel good, and they’ll often save you money and frustration in the long run by getting it right the first time or fixing the problem as soon as it arises.
So what should you look for in a good optician?
Are they listening properly and asking about your life?
Of course a thorough eye test matters, but so does the conversation around it. This is what a good optician should ask:
- What do you do for work?
- How much screen time do you have?
- Do you drive at night?
- Do your eyes feel dry or tired?
- What do you love/hate about your current glasses?
- Do you have any hobbies that require your vision to work extra hard?
Do you know why these questions matter? They need insight into your lifestyle and the challenges your vision may face daily to figure out which lens, contact lens, and frame may fit your lifestyle the best. As an example, the best lens on the market is the best in theory, but it may not be the best for your daily needs.
They explain things clearly without making you feel silly
When I was younger and my mum took me to the optician, her English was limited, and as a 13 year old, I didn’t always understand everything. The person who helped me at that time assumed I should understand what she said. Remember, eye care, eye health, and glasses are not your specialty, which is why you have come to ask for help, and sometimes your opticians may need reminding.
You should leave feeling that you understood what happened during your appointment, such as:
- what your prescription means in plain English
- What’s changed since last time (if any)
- What are your options and why you might choose one over another
If you feel rushed, confused, or like you’re being pushed in one way or another to part with your money, that’s a sign to maybe take a step back and think.
They care about comfort, not just style
Style matters, and here at MGAM we will never pretend it doesn’t but comfort is what makes you actually want to wear your glasses.
A great dispensing optician will check:
- fit behind the ears
- nose pad comfort
- frame balance
- where the lenses sit in front of your eyes
- whether the glasses slip when you look down
These little details are often the difference between “I love them” and “I can’t wait to take them off.” From all the years I have been to the opticians, no one ever told me I needed an Asian-fit nose fitting. I only learned this when I started to work in optics, and looking back, I have worn many uncomfortable pairs of glasses, and, yes at the end of the day, I cannot wait to take them off!
They offer aftercare, and they mean it
Here’s something many people don’t realise: glasses often need minor tweaks after you’ve worn them for a week or two. Therefore, it is important that your optician offers you good aftercare, and that should include:
- free adjustments
- nose pad replacements if applicable
- quick checks if something feels “off”
- advice if you’re struggling with varifocals or lenses for screen time
FYI – If a practice makes you feel like a nuisance for coming back, it isn’t a great sign.
They’re honest about what you do and don’t need
The best opticians don’t upsell by default. They guide you along instead. They should tell you when a cheaper option is available, and it is fine to take the budget-friendly option too, and when spending more will actually solve a problem you may have, such as glare at night, screen fatigue, or lenses that smudge constantly.
Independent vs chain: what’s the real difference?
This is where it gets interesting and where public opinion is mixed. I happen to have experienced both chains, independents, and some that are in-between, such as a franchise.
Some people love chains because they’re convenient, good value, and you know what you are getting as the box standard. Others feel rushed, like a number, and I certainly have experienced this before, but your experience depends heavily on the branch and who you get on the day.
Independents often win on:
- time and personal attention
- specialist fitting and styling
- more niche frame collections on display, as chains often buy only from a set of suppliers and then put them in every store, therefore not as exciting.
- continuity (seeing the same people)
- That warm and friendly feeling
However, a brilliant branch of a chain, because some are franchisees, can still give excellent care, and a poor independent can still disappoint. The goal isn’t to pick a “type” of optician. It’s to pick a practice that makes you feel looked after.
I never actually go to an independent optician for an eye test because I know they will never get any business from me, as I receive so many frames and lenses as gifts through my work in the sector. Therefore, I feel bad for taking up their time, but I do take my children to an independent. My personal experiences with chains have been quite mixed, ranging from really good to really bad. For instance, they often run late, and I’m talking REALLY late, sometimes by up to 30 minutes. On occasions, I have been double-booked and felt rushed due to their delays. However, there have also been times when I had exceptional experiences where everything went smoothly, and the person assisting me was understanding. Similarly, I visited one independent where the service was brilliant, but at another, I felt rushed during the eye test. It turned out that their usual optometrist was off sick that day, and they had a locum (like a substitute teacher) covering for the day.
Quick checklist: how to tell you’ve found a good one
You’ve probably found a good optician if:
- you feel listened to, not processed
- you understand your options
- your glasses feel comfortable (and they’ll tweak them if not)
- they don’t shame you for budget questions
- they invite you back if anything feels wrong
- You are not just another patient
Final thought
A good optician helps you see. A great optician helps you see and live better with comfort, confidence, and support after you’ve left the shop.
If you’ve ever thought, “Glasses are just glasses,” it might just be that you haven’t met the right optician yet. Let me tell you, when it comes to glasses, they are not always just another pair of glasses. A £500 pair of glasses is very different from a pair that costs £50. Never be afraid to ask why some glasses are budget-friendly and why some are so expensive. It will help you to understand glasses better and therefore make better choices.
Image from stock image via unsplash by takeshi morisato