I seem to be booked for a Home Eye Test from 'Outside Clinic' for the 12th
Feb. Had no verbal contact from Optometrists other than just filled an
online form in. They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.

I am supicious..

jon wrote:

I seem to be booked for a Home Eye Test from 'Outside Clinic' for the 12th
Feb.

They look legitimate, contracted to do tests the same way specsavers etc
are, they have a listing on the NHS website

https://www.nhs.uk/services/opticians/overview/defaultview.aspx?id=15927

But I wouldn't expect an unsolicited appointment.

Had no verbal contact from Optometrists other than just filled an
online form in.

Sounds like have requested the appointment by that online form.

They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.
I am supicious..

On 01/02/2021 10:24, jon wrote:

They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.



Yes, they do that, it is a little bit naughty.

And i'm pretty sure they should only be offering domiciliary service to
people who genuinely cannot get out*, is this clear on the letter?



* Unless of course they aren't charging the NHS the extra that can be
claimed for this....

On 01/02/2021 10:24, jon wrote:
I seem to be booked for a Home Eye Test from 'Outside Clinic' for the 12th
Feb. Had no verbal contact from Optometrists other than just filled an
online form in. They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.

I am supicious..

SCAM

On 1 Feb 2021 at 11:27:35 GMT, "R D S" wrote:

On 01/02/2021 10:24, jon wrote:

They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.



Yes, they do that, it is a little bit naughty.

And i'm pretty sure they should only be offering domiciliary service to
people who genuinely cannot get out*, is this clear on the letter?



* Unless of course they aren't charging the NHS the extra that can be
claimed for this....

But how good are the NHS checks on traditional optometrists who claim for home
visits? There are enough "housebound" people who used to demand GP home
visits (when the GPs did them fairly willingly) but then turned out to be at
the hairdresser's when the GP arrived.



--
Roger Hayter

R D S wrote:

And i'm pretty sure they should only be offering domiciliary service to
people who genuinely cannot get out*, is this clear on the letter?

The form asks "Do you find it difficult to get to the high street
optician without help or assistance?" If you say no it says you're not
eligible for free NHS visit, but can pay £30 if you want.

On 01/02/2021 11:37, Roger Hayter wrote:
On 1 Feb 2021 at 11:27:35 GMT, "R D S" wrote:

On 01/02/2021 10:24, jon wrote:

They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.



Yes, they do that, it is a little bit naughty.

And i'm pretty sure they should only be offering domiciliary service to
people who genuinely cannot get out*, is this clear on the letter?



* Unless of course they aren't charging the NHS the extra that can be
claimed for this....

But how good are the NHS checks on traditional optometrists who claim for home
visits? There are enough "housebound" people who used to demand GP home
visits (when the GPs did them fairly willingly) but then turned out to be at
the hairdresser's when the GP arrived.


Hard to say.

The NHS is being fleeced from several angles by the optical industry
though, it could do with a thorough looking into.

On 01/02/2021 11:39, Andy Burns wrote:
R D S wrote:

And i'm pretty sure they should only be offering domiciliary service
to people who genuinely cannot get out*, is this clear on the letter?

The form asks "Do you find it difficult to get to the high street
optician without help or assistance?" If you say no it says you're not
eligible for free NHS visit, but can pay £30 if you want.


Good to hear they are being transparent.

On Mon, 01 Feb 2021 11:51:04 +0000, R D S wrote:

On 01/02/2021 11:39, Andy Burns wrote:
R D S wrote:

And i'm pretty sure they should only be offering domiciliary service
to people who genuinely cannot get out*, is this clear on the letter?

The form asks "Do you find it difficult to get to the high street
optician without help or assistance?" If you say no it says you're not
eligible for free NHS visit, but can pay £30 if you want.


Good to hear they are being transparent.


I wouldn't want to sit in an optician's shop for half an hour during Covid.

On 01/02/2021 12:19, jon wrote:


I wouldn't want to sit in an optician's shop for half an hour during Covid.


You'd be surprised at the extra lengths we (some, perhaps not all) are
going to to provide as safe and sanitary an environment as possible.

Things are nothing like they were a year or so ago in our gaff.

On 1 Feb 2021 at 11:40:55 GMT, "R D S" wrote:

On 01/02/2021 11:37, Roger Hayter wrote:
On 1 Feb 2021 at 11:27:35 GMT, "R D S" wrote:

On 01/02/2021 10:24, jon wrote:

They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.



Yes, they do that, it is a little bit naughty.

And i'm pretty sure they should only be offering domiciliary service to
people who genuinely cannot get out*, is this clear on the letter?



* Unless of course they aren't charging the NHS the extra that can be
claimed for this....

But how good are the NHS checks on traditional optometrists who claim for
home
visits? There are enough "housebound" people who used to demand GP home
visits (when the GPs did them fairly willingly) but then turned out to be at
the hairdresser's when the GP arrived.


Hard to say.

The NHS is being fleeced from several angles by the optical industry
though, it could do with a thorough looking into.

What do the rules say? Has the visit to be "necessary" or just "convenient"
for the NHS to pay up?

--
Roger Hayter

In article ,
Andy Burns wrote:
jon wrote:

I seem to be booked for a Home Eye Test from 'Outside Clinic' for the 12th
Feb.

They look legitimate, contracted to do tests the same way specsavers etc
are, they have a listing on the NHS website

https://www.nhs.uk/services/opticians/overview/defaultview.aspx?id=15927

But I wouldn't expect an unsolicited appointment.

Had no verbal contact from Optometrists other than just filled an
online form in.

Sounds like have requested the appointment by that online form.

They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.
I am supicious..

I'd be most surprised if a home visit could offer all the facilities you'd
get at high street shop?

I'd say to be avoided unless no option.

--
*Two wrongs are only the beginning *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article ,
R D S wrote:
On 01/02/2021 11:37, Roger Hayter wrote:
On 1 Feb 2021 at 11:27:35 GMT, "R D S" wrote:

On 01/02/2021 10:24, jon wrote:

They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.



Yes, they do that, it is a little bit naughty.

And i'm pretty sure they should only be offering domiciliary service
to people who genuinely cannot get out*, is this clear on the letter?



* Unless of course they aren't charging the NHS the extra that can be
claimed for this....

But how good are the NHS checks on traditional optometrists who claim
for home visits? There are enough "housebound" people who used to
demand GP home visits (when the GPs did them fairly willingly) but
then turned out to be at the hairdresser's when the GP arrived.


Hard to say.

The NHS is being fleeced from several angles by the optical industry
though, it could do with a thorough looking into.

Given all the NHS seems to pay for is the test itself, how?

--
*Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Mon, 01 Feb 2021 12:38:57 +0000, R D S wrote:

On 01/02/2021 12:19, jon wrote:


I wouldn't want to sit in an optician's shop for half an hour during
Covid.


You'd be surprised at the extra lengths we (some, perhaps not all) are
going to to provide as safe and sanitary an environment as possible.

Things are nothing like they were a year or so ago in our gaff.


There is always the possibility of someone walking in the shop with an
asymptomatic Covid condition. (not sure if they all are infectious though)

On Mon, 01 Feb 2021 14:14:25 +0000, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

In article ,
Andy Burns wrote:
jon wrote:

I seem to be booked for a Home Eye Test from 'Outside Clinic' for the
12th Feb.

They look legitimate, contracted to do tests the same way specsavers
etc are, they have a listing on the NHS website

https://www.nhs.uk/services/optician...aultview.aspx?
id=15927

But I wouldn't expect an unsolicited appointment.

Had no verbal contact from Optometrists other than just filled an
online form in.

Sounds like have requested the appointment by that online form.

They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.
I am supicious..

I'd be most surprised if a home visit could offer all the facilities
you'd get at high street shop?

I'd say to be avoided unless no option.

What do you anticipate would not be available.

On 01/02/2021 14:21, jon wrote:
On Mon, 01 Feb 2021 14:14:25 +0000, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

In article ,
Andy Burns wrote:
jon wrote:

I seem to be booked for a Home Eye Test from 'Outside Clinic' for the
12th Feb.

They look legitimate, contracted to do tests the same way specsavers
etc are, they have a listing on the NHS website

https://www.nhs.uk/services/optician...aultview.aspx?
id=15927

But I wouldn't expect an unsolicited appointment.

Had no verbal contact from Optometrists other than just filled an
online form in.

Sounds like have requested the appointment by that online form.

They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.
I am supicious..

I'd be most surprised if a home visit could offer all the facilities
you'd get at high street shop?

I'd say to be avoided unless no option.

What do you anticipate would not be available.

Well, I bet the big static machines get better views and photos of the
retina than portable tools. Also the field of view testers.

Are there portable "puff-test" machines for ocular pressure?

On 01/02/2021 14:19, jon wrote:
On Mon, 01 Feb 2021 12:38:57 +0000, R D S wrote:

On 01/02/2021 12:19, jon wrote:


I wouldn't want to sit in an optician's shop for half an hour during
Covid.


You'd be surprised at the extra lengths we (some, perhaps not all) are
going to to provide as safe and sanitary an environment as possible.

Things are nothing like they were a year or so ago in our gaff.


There is always the possibility of someone walking in the shop with an
asymptomatic Covid condition. (not sure if they all are infectious though)


Yeah, Not entirely risk free I concur. Infinitely safer than a
supermarket trip though.

It's one at a time, PPE all round, 15 minute cleanup between customer*
(seating/equipment etc), everything they've tried on gets sterilised,
we're testing ourselves regularly (FWIW though cos our tests are the
lateral flow ones), only seeing people where there's a need rather than
dragging them in just because they are due.

*The profession hates that term and prefers patient. I don't like it
personally.

Many opticians would prefer we were for the most part shut down and
getting handouts like last April and onwards. I dunno, i've never been
part of the claim culture but it's moot because we *are* allowed to
open, hence can't get funding and we need to eat.

And the reason we are allowed to open almost as normal in case anyone is
interested is that during the first lockdown opticians were supposed to
have a locked door and deal with genuine emergencies only, treat basic
stuff or triage, so that fewer people visited A&E.
But some within 'Britains Most Trusted' just couldn't help themselves
and were going to see people routinely anyway.
This caused an outcry in Optician Land and the professional bodies, who
haven't really the weight to take them on backtracked, moved the
goalposts shamelessly and history was literally rewritten.

On 01/02/2021 13:21, Roger Hayter wrote:

What do the rules say? Has the visit to be "necessary" or just "convenient"
for the NHS to pay up?

Necessary.

On 01/02/2021 14:41, newshound wrote:
On 01/02/2021 14:21, jon wrote:
On Mon, 01 Feb 2021 14:14:25 +0000, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

In article ,
Â*Â*Â* Andy Burns wrote:
jon wrote:

I seem to be booked for a Home Eye Test from 'Outside Clinic' for the
12th Feb.

They look legitimate, contracted to do tests the same way specsavers
etc are, they have a listing on the NHS website

https://www.nhs.uk/services/optician...aultview.aspx?
id=15927

But I wouldn't expect an unsolicited appointment.

Had no verbal contact from Optometrists other than just filled an
online form in.

Sounds like have requested the appointment by that online form.

They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.
I am supicious..

I'd be most surprised if a home visit could offer all the facilities
you'd get at high street shop?

I'd say to be avoided unless no option.

What do you anticipate would not be available.

Well, I bet the big static machines get better views and photos of the
retina than portable tools.

Not really to be fair. Not the photos taken in a standard test.

Also the field of view testers.

There's portable ways of doing this.

Are there portable "puff-test" machines for ocular pressure?

Yes, in fact we've got one in practice now, a hand held thing with probes.
The puff of eye test was deemed dangerous at the beginning of the
pandemic as it creates an aerosol of tear fluid and we were told not to
do it.

We've since been told we can when every practice in the land was faced
with a 3 grand spend and kicked off.

(Just after we'd spent 3 grand) It's much more comfortable though and
people prefer it.

I'm not ****ing on your point, just bored and thought i'd chuck some
facts in.

In article , jon writes
On Mon, 01 Feb 2021 12:38:57 +0000, R D S wrote:

On 01/02/2021 12:19, jon wrote:


I wouldn't want to sit in an optician's shop for half an hour during
Covid.


You'd be surprised at the extra lengths we (some, perhaps not all) are
going to to provide as safe and sanitary an environment as possible.

Things are nothing like they were a year or so ago in our gaff.


There is always the possibility of someone walking in the shop with an
asymptomatic Covid condition. (not sure if they all are infectious though)
No closer to them than being in a shop or supermarket. Probably less.
Everyone kept well apart. Not allowed in without a mask. That was my
experience on last visit.
--
bert

On 01/02/2021 14:16, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

Given all the NHS seems to pay for is the test itself, how?


Dispensing unnecessary glasses.
Anyone under 16 & folk on certain benefits get a voucher towards specs
too. And daftly while the NHS won't pay enough for the test, they do pay
enough for the specs.

There are prescriptions you just simply do not need especially if you
are young, low plus powers, tiny bits of astigmatism.
But in many (probably most) practices (multiple and independent) it's a
case of "It's only a small prescription so just pick a free pair and
wear them if you find they help....." whether there's any real clinical
need or not.
(And it's quite rare to find someone with absolutely no refractive error)

We supply wholesale and we do work for places where I can spend all
morning processing orders and wondering when i'll come to one of any
substance. Especially during the school holidays, making glasses for
kids where there's no possible way they could *all* be needed.

Set yourself up in a deprived area and you can get quite rich doing high
volume NHS stuff.

On 01/02/2021 15:19, Owain Lastname wrote:

and many won't be able to compare with in-store or online pricing.


They may be able, but they probably won't.

On Mon, 1 Feb 2021 10:24:15 -0000 (UTC), jon wrote:

I seem to be booked for a Home Eye Test from 'Outside Clinic' for the 12th
Feb. Had no verbal contact from Optometrists other than just filled an
online form in. They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.

I am supicious..

They are opticians who specialise only in home visits and are licensed
to carry out NHS domiciliary sight tests (Hence their entitlement to
use the NHS logo on advertisements and correspondence)). The
requirements for registration to do ophthalmic home visits are at


https://www.loc-net.org.uk/media/601...march-2018.pdf

and
https://www.opticianonline.net/cet-archive/46

https://www.abdo.org.uk/wp-content/u...ctice-2014.pdf


You only qualify for free home visits if, in addition to a free eye
test entitlement, you are unable to leave home unaccompanied because
of physical or mental illness or disability. If you don't qualify for
a free visit and test 'Outside Clinic will charge you (about £45 I
think) for a home visit.

They were taken over by Optimism Health Group in Nov of last year. No
indication as to whether this is good or bad yet

Quite a few other opticians will also do home visits (Specsavers for
one) however it requires the Optician to invest in some quite
expensive specialised portable equipment so not all offer it.

Someone has to pay for all this and the Outside Clinic business model
relies upon selling a limited range of spectacles at quite high
markup. They don't seem to be particularly aggressive in their sales
methods but remember the person testing you has sales targets to
meet or they won't have a job.

Unless you are pretty strong willed and happy to tell the salesman to
go away I wouldn't have them (or any salesman) in the house. You
should certainly have someone with you if you decide to have them
visit.

They have been going for about 25 years or so and seem to have mostly
fairly positive reviews. They also seem to invest in up to date
equipment not just the absolute minimum to satisfy the regulators.
However, there is little doubt that if you can get to a normal
optician you will have probably have access to a greater range of
diagnostic equipment (all the home visit services must have an
adequate range of portable equipment defined by the NHS which they
must be able to carry into the patients home but in recent times many
opticians have installed as standard a wider range of examination kit
which you couldn't carry around).

Your will also have a much wider range of glasses to chose from in a
fixed site optician and probably at significantly lower prices.

As you are entitled to have your prescription given to you after your
eye test if you cant get out you could always get an in home test from
Outside Clinic, take the prescription and send them on their way. Then
go to a decent on-line suppler and get the specs you want much
cheaper.

On Mon, 1 Feb 2021 12:19:20 -0000 (UTC), jon wrote:


I wouldn't want to sit in an optician's shop for half an hour during Covid.

When I went for my test last September they kept the door locked
between patients.

On Mon, 01 Feb 2021 16:10:10 +0000, Peter Parry wrote:

On Mon, 1 Feb 2021 10:24:15 -0000 (UTC), jon wrote:

I seem to be booked for a Home Eye Test from 'Outside Clinic' for the
12th Feb. Had no verbal contact from Optometrists other than just filled
an online form in. They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.

I am supicious..

They are opticians who specialise only in home visits and are licensed
to carry out NHS domiciliary sight tests (Hence their entitlement to use
the NHS logo on advertisements and correspondence)). The requirements
for registration to do ophthalmic home visits are at


https://www.loc-net.org.uk/media/601...liary-eyecare-
services-march-2018.pdf

and https://www.opticianonline.net/cet-archive/46

https://www.abdo.org.uk/wp-content/u...liary-code-of-
practice-2014.pdf


You only qualify for free home visits if, in addition to a free eye test
entitlement, you are unable to leave home unaccompanied because of
physical or mental illness or disability. If you don't qualify for a
free visit and test 'Outside Clinic will charge you (about £45 I think)
for a home visit.

They were taken over by Optimism Health Group in Nov of last year. No
indication as to whether this is good or bad yet

Quite a few other opticians will also do home visits (Specsavers for
one) however it requires the Optician to invest in some quite expensive
specialised portable equipment so not all offer it.

Someone has to pay for all this and the Outside Clinic business model
relies upon selling a limited range of spectacles at quite high markup.
They don't seem to be particularly aggressive in their sales methods
but remember the person testing you has sales targets to meet or they
won't have a job.

Unless you are pretty strong willed and happy to tell the salesman to go
away I wouldn't have them (or any salesman) in the house. You should
certainly have someone with you if you decide to have them visit.

They have been going for about 25 years or so and seem to have mostly
fairly positive reviews. They also seem to invest in up to date
equipment not just the absolute minimum to satisfy the regulators.
However, there is little doubt that if you can get to a normal optician
you will have probably have access to a greater range of diagnostic
equipment (all the home visit services must have an adequate range of
portable equipment defined by the NHS which they must be able to carry
into the patients home but in recent times many opticians have installed
as standard a wider range of examination kit which you couldn't carry
around).

Your will also have a much wider range of glasses to chose from in a
fixed site optician and probably at significantly lower prices.

As you are entitled to have your prescription given to you after your
eye test if you cant get out you could always get an in home test from
Outside Clinic, take the prescription and send them on their way. Then
go to a decent on-line suppler and get the specs you want much cheaper.

Thanks Peter, excellent info.

On 01/02/2021 14:21, jon wrote:
On Mon, 01 Feb 2021 14:14:25 +0000, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

In article ,
Andy Burns wrote:
jon wrote:

I seem to be booked for a Home Eye Test from 'Outside Clinic' for the
12th Feb.

They look legitimate, contracted to do tests the same way specsavers
etc are, they have a listing on the NHS website

https://www.nhs.uk/services/optician...aultview.aspx?
id=15927

But I wouldn't expect an unsolicited appointment.

Had no verbal contact from Optometrists other than just filled an
online form in.

Sounds like have requested the appointment by that online form.

They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.
I am supicious..

I'd be most surprised if a home visit could offer all the facilities
you'd get at high street shop?

I'd say to be avoided unless no option.

What do you anticipate would not be available.

Depends on the kit that they have. It is really intended for people who
are seriously housebound and so cannot go to an opticians. Mine now has
a semi-automatic dalek that does the eye test formulation post Covid.

My mum had an at home eye test when she was housebound. The prescription
was no worse and no better than one done by a high street shop.

Anything involving close contact of patient and specialist is seriously
weird these days (and probably weirder still now). I had my overdue eyes
tested in mid summer when things were a little bit more relaxed.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

Yes well, I'd be too. Back when I was a child some home or other remote
venues were used for eye tests, if the room dimensions were too small, a
mirror was used and a mirror image letter chart was hung behind the patient
so they could see it in the mirror. It worked well.
Brian

--

This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"jon" wrote in message ...
I seem to be booked for a Home Eye Test from 'Outside Clinic' for the 12th
Feb. Had no verbal contact from Optometrists other than just filled an
online form in. They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.

I am supicious..

Pressure test maybe? Brian

--

This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"jon" wrote in message ...
On Mon, 01 Feb 2021 14:14:25 +0000, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

In article ,
Andy Burns wrote:
jon wrote:

I seem to be booked for a Home Eye Test from 'Outside Clinic' for the
12th Feb.

They look legitimate, contracted to do tests the same way specsavers
etc are, they have a listing on the NHS website

https://www.nhs.uk/services/optician...aultview.aspx?
id=15927

But I wouldn't expect an unsolicited appointment.

Had no verbal contact from Optometrists other than just filled an
online form in.

Sounds like have requested the appointment by that online form.

They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.
I am supicious..

I'd be most surprised if a home visit could offer all the facilities
you'd get at high street shop?

I'd say to be avoided unless no option.

What do you anticipate would not be available.

The advice always is to only go to links from the nhs site itself, as
anything on an email could be bogus, but if the link was typed in and it is
the same as the one on the nhs site, then its probably going to be OK, but
I'm sure they must have an administrator available on the phone, since most
of their work could be on people not on the internet.
Brian

--

This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"newshound" wrote in message
o.uk...
On 01/02/2021 14:21, jon wrote:
On Mon, 01 Feb 2021 14:14:25 +0000, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

In article ,
Andy Burns wrote:
jon wrote:

I seem to be booked for a Home Eye Test from 'Outside Clinic' for the
12th Feb.

They look legitimate, contracted to do tests the same way specsavers
etc are, they have a listing on the NHS website

https://www.nhs.uk/services/optician...aultview.aspx?
id=15927

But I wouldn't expect an unsolicited appointment.

Had no verbal contact from Optometrists other than just filled an
online form in.

Sounds like have requested the appointment by that online form.

They send out flyers that look like an NHS letter.
I am supicious..

I'd be most surprised if a home visit could offer all the facilities
you'd get at high street shop?

I'd say to be avoided unless no option.

What do you anticipate would not be available.

Well, I bet the big static machines get better views and photos of the
retina than portable tools. Also the field of view testers.

Are there portable "puff-test" machines for ocular pressure?

In article , Brian Gaff \(Sofa\)
wrote:
Yes well, I'd be too. Back when I was a child some home or other remote
venues were used for eye tests, if the room dimensions were too small, a
mirror was used and a mirror image letter chart was hung behind the
patient so they could see it in the mirror. It worked well. Brian

That technique is still used in 'proper' venues. Certainly in my local
Specsavers.

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

In article ,
charles wrote:
In article , Brian Gaff \(Sofa\)
wrote:
Yes well, I'd be too. Back when I was a child some home or other remote
venues were used for eye tests, if the room dimensions were too small, a
mirror was used and a mirror image letter chart was hung behind the
patient so they could see it in the mirror. It worked well. Brian

That technique is still used in 'proper' venues. Certainly in my local
Specsavers.

Anyone have the figure for the minimum distance between eye and chart
(using mirrors when needed) to give 'infinity' for practical purposes?
I've a feeling not all setups have enough lenght.

--
*I took an IQ test and the results were negative.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 02/02/2021 10:52, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
charles wrote:
In article , Brian Gaff \(Sofa\)
wrote:
Yes well, I'd be too. Back when I was a child some home or other remote
venues were used for eye tests, if the room dimensions were too small, a
mirror was used and a mirror image letter chart was hung behind the
patient so they could see it in the mirror. It worked well. Brian

That technique is still used in 'proper' venues. Certainly in my local
Specsavers.

Anyone have the figure for the minimum distance between eye and chart
(using mirrors when needed) to give 'infinity' for practical purposes?
I've a feeling not all setups have enough lenght.


Wait for RDS or others for a definitive answer but the convention used
to be 20 feet (now 6m) for the Snellen chart. Hence eg 20/20 vision.
And the widespread use of mirrors.

--
Robin
reply-to address is (intended to be) valid

On 02/02/2021 10:52, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
charles wrote:
In article , Brian Gaff \(Sofa\)
wrote:
Yes well, I'd be too. Back when I was a child some home or other remote
venues were used for eye tests, if the room dimensions were too small, a
mirror was used and a mirror image letter chart was hung behind the
patient so they could see it in the mirror. It worked well. Brian

That technique is still used in 'proper' venues. Certainly in my local
Specsavers.

Anyone have the figure for the minimum distance between eye and chart
(using mirrors when needed) to give 'infinity' for practical purposes?
I've a feeling not all setups have enough lenght.


Historically testing distance was 20 feet hence the term 20/20 (a letter
that subtends summat degrees of arc....or summat....at 20 feet) or
nowadays 6/6 in metres. So usually 3m and a mirror.

Presumably test charts had the letters made a standard size designed to
work as above but nowadays you can have a screen displaying different
sized letters calibrated to the testing distance.

I don't know if there's a stated minimum but there comes a point where a
shorter testing distance can be problematic in gaining an accurate Rx.

It's all about cramming them them in and making them look modern though
these days.

On 01/02/2021 12:19, jon wrote:
On Mon, 01 Feb 2021 11:51:04 +0000, R D S wrote:

On 01/02/2021 11:39, Andy Burns wrote:
R D S wrote:

And i'm pretty sure they should only be offering domiciliary service
to people who genuinely cannot get out*, is this clear on the letter?

The form asks "Do you find it difficult to get to the high street
optician without help or assistance?" If you say no it says you're not
eligible for free NHS visit, but can pay £30 if you want.


Good to hear they are being transparent.


I wouldn't want to sit in an optician's shop for half an hour during Covid.

Not how its done. Mine they had a maximum occupancy of two. One being
fitted for glasses in the main showroom part and one being tested.
One hard rigid chair for waiting and loads of antiseptic wipes.

They had also replaced the classic manual testing rig with an entirely
automated streamlined robotic thing like a cross between a vertically
mounted frisbee and binoculars. You could hear it whirring away to
itself as it altered which lenses it interposed.

The only bits where the optician had to be close to me was looking at
the inside of the retina. Everything else was done at a social distance.

I opted not to have a laser retinal scan this time. That too is done on
a no contact stare into this instrument and look at the dot basis.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

In article , R D S
wrote:

The NHS is being fleeced from several angles by the optical industry
though, it could do with a thorough looking into.

+1 Not only the NHS - what about the customers! We're being
double-fleeced: first they screw our NHS, then they screw us personally,
when it comes to having to choose a new frame... (costing hundreds of
pounds) ; plus your lenses... (costing hundreds of pounds); oh! and
which special coatings would you like? Buying a "special coating to
protect against scratches?" Shouldn't that be part of the bloody lenses?

(Time I started using spex-on-line, instead of moaning, here!)

J.

Martin Brown wrote:

They had also replaced the classic manual testing rig with an entirely
automated streamlined robotic thing like a cross between a vertically
mounted frisbee and binoculars. You could hear it whirring away to
itself as it altered which lenses it interposed.

That's not a covid response, the specsavers I went to over 2 years ago
(just had the reminder to re-book) had one of them

In article ,
R D S wrote:
On 02/02/2021 10:52, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
charles wrote:
In article , Brian Gaff \(Sofa\)
wrote:
Yes well, I'd be too. Back when I was a child some home or other remote
venues were used for eye tests, if the room dimensions were too small, a
mirror was used and a mirror image letter chart was hung behind the
patient so they could see it in the mirror. It worked well. Brian

That technique is still used in 'proper' venues. Certainly in my local
Specsavers.

Anyone have the figure for the minimum distance between eye and chart
(using mirrors when needed) to give 'infinity' for practical purposes?
I've a feeling not all setups have enough lenght.


Historically testing distance was 20 feet hence the term 20/20 (a letter
that subtends summat degrees of arc....or summat....at 20 feet) or
nowadays 6/6 in metres. So usually 3m and a mirror.

Presumably test charts had the letters made a standard size designed to
work as above but nowadays you can have a screen displaying different
sized letters calibrated to the testing distance.

I don't know if there's a stated minimum but there comes a point where a
shorter testing distance can be problematic in gaining an accurate Rx.

It's all about cramming them them in and making them look modern though
these days.

I'm not one of those who would need to drive to Barnard Castle to check my
eyesight. ;-)

I have a brick built block some way beyond the end of my garden, perhaps
30m away, and the pointing on the bricks gives a pretty good indication of
how sharp my distance vision is. Something I see each and every day when
sitting down having a coffee etc. With no correction, it could be a
concrete wall. ;-) With +2 ready mades, I see the vertical pointing but
not the horizontal. With prescription and astigmatism correction, all
comes good.

A couple of years ago, I went to Specsavers after being royally messed
about by my previous optician. That had taken over from my original one,
who was very good indeed.

I have gas permeable lenses for distance, and add specs for reading. My
local branch of Specsavers seemed to actually still do gas permeable
lenses at a reasonable price. I'd pretty well run out of decent spares -
all acratched. Not surprising given their age.

Decided to get some ordinary prescription specs for distance too - as an
alternative. Left the lenses out for 5 days before going for the test. The
specs I got have a bit too much 'plus' Pointing on that brickwork no
longer pin sharp. But easier to use the computer with.

Got them to prescribe some new hard lenses afterwards. About a quarter of
the price of the previous optician I'd left in a huff. And pretty good too.

--
*Be nice to your kids. They'll choose your nursing home.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article ,
Another John wrote:
+1 Not only the NHS - what about the customers! We're being
double-fleeced: first they screw our NHS, then they screw us personally,
when it comes to having to choose a new frame... (costing hundreds of
pounds) ; plus your lenses... (costing hundreds of pounds); oh! and
which special coatings would you like? Buying a "special coating to
protect against scratches?" Shouldn't that be part of the bloody lenses?

Well, I got two pairs of plain specs (but with astigmatism correction) for
£70 all in from Specsavers. Like anything else you can upgrade to what you
feel you can afford.

--
*There's two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither one works *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In message , "Dave Plowman (News)"
writes
In article ,
Another John wrote:
+1 Not only the NHS - what about the customers! We're being
double-fleeced: first they screw our NHS, then they screw us personally,
when it comes to having to choose a new frame... (costing hundreds of
pounds) ; plus your lenses... (costing hundreds of pounds); oh! and
which special coatings would you like? Buying a "special coating to
protect against scratches?" Shouldn't that be part of the bloody lenses?

Well, I got two pairs of plain specs (but with astigmatism correction) for
£70 all in from Specsavers. Like anything else you can upgrade to what you
feel you can afford.

Huh!
Now try and persuade them to reglaze your current pair!


--
Tim Lamb

"Owain Lastname" wrote in message
...
On Tuesday, 2 February 2021 at 08:10:15 UTC, Brian Gaff (Sofa) wrote:
Yes well, I'd be too. Back when I was a child some home or other remote
venues were used for eye tests, if the room dimensions were too small, a
mirror was used and a mirror image letter chart was hung behind the
patient
so they could see it in the mirror. It worked well.

My local Boots which has been refitted with new
optical rooms uses this arrangement, except the
mirror image letter charge is a computer screen.

I don't know whether it generates the letters randomly to prevent
"cheating".

My Specsavers doesnt.