Retinopathy Exam - Eye drops put in before regular eye test.

[stevespalding]

Has anyone else had this happen? Does anyone know whether it's clinically appropriate to do this?

I went to a high street optician for my annual retinopathy eye examination and unlike every other time I've ever had it done (five or six now), the ophthalmologist put the drops which were to dilate my pupils in my eyes before doing a normal sight test (I have to wear glasses / contact lenses on a regular basis).

I queried this at the time and was told that it was 'they take 15 minutes to work and it's so you don't have to hang around'. I was more than a little bemused by this as I'd much rather "hang around" and get the glasses I need than be rushed through their system as quickly as possible.

During the normal eye test which was conducted immediately after the drops where put in, I had quite a lot of difficulty (especially towards the end of the test) focusing on anything near or far. Needless to say, I am far from happy and have so far held off getting distance glasses from them.

I have contacted the head office of this high street optician and have so far had no luck in getting any information as to whether do this is going to (in fact the customer service department of this particular chain is quite frankly less than useless.)

Thanks.

Steve.

 

[noblehead]

How strange, every retinopathy eye test I've had done they put the dilating drops in after the vision test.

 

[Celeriac]

Same here, drops after vision test at clinic but no drops at opticians actually.

 

[MsPrim]

The same as noblehead and Celeriac - drops in after the vision test.

 

[CarbsRok]

Steve, go elsewhere for another eye test you wont be charged as the prescription isn't correct. Then put in a formal complaint regarding the original optician.
It's as bad when some silly what's it tells you that you have to remove your glasses for a field vision test when it quite clearly states glasses to be worn if you wear them.