Eye Exams/Glasses- Dr Office or Vision Center - The DIS Discussion Forums

TheIncredibles! · 02-28-2013, 04:07 PM

Any reason why a Doctor's office would be "better" than a vision center for eye exams and to get new glasses etc? Dh and DD have glasses. My sons and I do not. We are all due for exams and I know DH and DD will need new glasses and I suspect my oldest son may need to get glasses. I hate going to the practice we go to though because it takes too damn long.

Get there and sign in. Wait.
Get called up about 5 minutes later to check in and pay co pay. Wait.
10-15 minutes later get brought back for initial exam then put in secondary waiting area. Wait.
Anywhere from 30 minutes to 45 minutes later you get put into a room. Wait.
Another 10-15 for the Doctor to show up.

I have never gotten out of there in less than 90 minutes. Am I wrong in thinking we could just take care of this at a vision center or Wal Mart instead of dealing with that?

LynnTH · 02-28-2013, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheIncredibles!

Any reason why a Doctor's office would be "better" than a vision center for eye exams and to get new glasses etc? Dh and DD have glasses. My sons and I do not. We are all due for exams and I know DH and DD will need new glasses and I suspect my oldest son may need to get glasses. I hate going to the practice we go to though because it takes too damn long.

Get there and sign in. Wait.
Get called up about 5 minutes later to check in and pay co pay. Wait.
10-15 minutes later get brought back for initial exam then put in secondary waiting area. Wait.
Anywhere from 30 minutes to 45 minutes later you get put into a room. Wait.
Another 10-15 for the Doctor to show up.

I have never gotten out of there in less than 90 minutes. Am I wrong in thinking we could just take care of this at a vision center or Wal Mart instead of dealing with that?

My family (4 of us) all have glasses and contacts. We get our exams done at Pearle Vision but then I get all of our prescriptions and shop for the best deal on glasses and contacts, which is clearly not Pearle Vision.

BearcatsFan · 02-28-2013, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheIncredibles!

Any reason why a Doctor's office would be "better" than a vision center for eye exams and to get new glasses etc? Dh and DD have glasses. My sons and I do not. We are all due for exams and I know DH and DD will need new glasses and I suspect my oldest son may need to get glasses. I hate going to the practice we go to though because it takes too damn long.

Get there and sign in. Wait.
Get called up about 5 minutes later to check in and pay co pay. Wait.
10-15 minutes later get brought back for initial exam then put in secondary waiting area. Wait.
Anywhere from 30 minutes to 45 minutes later you get put into a room. Wait.
Another 10-15 for the Doctor to show up.

I have never gotten out of there in less than 90 minutes. Am I wrong in thinking we could just take care of this at a vision center or Wal Mart instead of dealing with that?

We always have our eye exams at the vision center. As long as the one doing your eye exam is a licensed optometrist, you're good. My brother has been having his done at Wal-Mart and getting his glasses there for a long time now - he says they have good selection and he's been satisfied with their service.

ilovemk76 · 02-28-2013, 08:01 PM

We get ours done at the Eye Dr. office. What I like is that we see an Optometrist, at about the same cost as the mall places, but if they find a problem the Ophthalmologist is there to see us. All the records are in the same office and we see the Dr. that same day. I did have this happen when I was having a problem with my left eye. It ended up being sever eye strain and cleared up over time.

minkydog · 02-28-2013, 08:05 PM

DH & I see an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) because we have some chronic illnesses that can affect the eyes. It does take a long time durin our appts, probably because they have to be so thorough. But I buy our glasses at Costco. Got mine for over $200 less than what they wanted in the office

Mandychelle79 · 02-28-2013, 09:03 PM

Ive spent more then 90 minutes at walmart vision for my appointment. Our insurance doesnt cover it now so we go to a private practice, which both doctors ( married) are ophthalmologists which helps when my eye decides to hate me. And even though Walmart vision is the one who originally noticed a problem with my sisters eyes, the one we go to did his thesis on the condition.

cheerful chickadee · 02-28-2013, 10:38 PM

I've worn glasses since I was 2 years old (33 now) and I would recommend an optometrist or ophthalmologist vs. a vision center. I have taken my kids to a vision center (tried Pearle and LensCrafters) and were told they both needed glasses at least for reading....mild prescriptions but still they both should have them. I was surprised, they didn't seem to be struggling with their vision whatsoever. So I took them to an optometrist and was told they were fine, did not need corrective lenses at all. So basically in my experience the vision centers will tell you that corrective lenses are needed even when they're not.

Now if you already wear glasses and know you will need them still and just want a new updated scrip for new frames and lenses then a vision center is quicker and easier since it's all in once place.

Just my 2 cents

amwildwood · 02-28-2013, 10:50 PM

I've had better experiences with a private practice optometrist than vision centers. Two of the four us have more complex vision correction and he does a good job. Can't say that I had good experiences at LensCrafters.

Another consideration is a well trained optician - for me this makes a considerable difference in how I see. The office I go to has one. She also has the magic touch for adjusting eye glasses.

For friends of mine that have straight forward Rxs, they have been happy with Costco.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

The Mystery Machine · 03-01-2013, 01:57 AM

Ah, a topic near and dear to my heart.

I had been going to the same place forever which was a private practice (not a chain) optometrist office. The exams are very good and detailed.

I have not been happy with the glasses there anymore, so went out on a limb and saw an opthamologist. That exam was pathetic.

So now, I am going to shop around again to find a new place. I NEED new glasses and I NEED someone to correctly make some progressives for me. I cannot see worth a crap anymore with my glasses, I see better without them. It drives me up a wall.

Example, I cannot wear my glasses to read, type on the computer, or read fine print.

Anyway rant over....

Bottom line...unless you have a eye condition an optometrist is fine. I think a private practice is better in my experience as well......

02-28-2013, 04:07 PM	#1
TheIncredibles! Winner (?) of the Crazy MIL Award! Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,122	Eye Exams/Glasses- Dr Office or Vision Center Any reason why a Doctor's office would be "better" than a vision center for eye exams and to get new glasses etc? Dh and DD have glasses. My sons and I do not. We are all due for exams and I know DH and DD will need new glasses and I suspect my oldest son may need to get glasses. I hate going to the practice we go to though because it takes too damn long. Get there and sign in. Wait. Get called up about 5 minutes later to check in and pay co pay. Wait. 10-15 minutes later get brought back for initial exam then put in secondary waiting area. Wait. Anywhere from 30 minutes to 45 minutes later you get put into a room. Wait. Another 10-15 for the Doctor to show up. I have never gotten out of there in less than 90 minutes. Am I wrong in thinking we could just take care of this at a vision center or Wal Mart instead of dealing with that?

02-28-2013, 08:05 PM	#5
minkydog DIS Cast Member hey! I've got two college degrees and a steady job. if I wanna watch mindless TV, so what? DIS Official Rum Taster I used to be in the all-natural camp. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: GA Posts: 14,431	DH & I see an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) because we have some chronic illnesses that can affect the eyes. It does take a long time durin our appts, probably because they have to be so thorough. But I buy our glasses at Costco. Got mine for over $200 less than what they wanted in the office __________________ Never underestimate the determination of the mother with a handicapped child

02-28-2013, 09:03 PM	#6
Mandychelle79 DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Smack dab in the middle of Western PA Posts: 1,499	Ive spent more then 90 minutes at walmart vision for my appointment. Our insurance doesnt cover it now so we go to a private practice, which both doctors ( married) are ophthalmologists which helps when my eye decides to hate me. And even though Walmart vision is the one who originally noticed a problem with my sisters eyes, the one we go to did his thesis on the condition. __________________ Mandy, 33 DH Scott,42 DD Bradyn,9 ds Alexander, 7 12/2002;12/2007;12/2009;8/2012

02-28-2013, 10:50 PM	#8
amwildwood Earning My Ears Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 19	I've had better experiences with a private practice optometrist than vision centers. Two of the four us have more complex vision correction and he does a good job. Can't say that I had good experiences at LensCrafters. Another consideration is a well trained optician - for me this makes a considerable difference in how I see. The office I go to has one. She also has the magic touch for adjusting eye glasses. For friends of mine that have straight forward Rxs, they have been happy with Costco. Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards __________________

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02-28-2013, 08:01 PM	#4
ilovemk76 DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2,653	We get ours done at the Eye Dr. office. What I like is that we see an Optometrist, at about the same cost as the mall places, but if they find a problem the Ophthalmologist is there to see us. All the records are in the same office and we see the Dr. that same day. I did have this happen when I was having a problem with my left eye. It ended up being sever eye strain and cleared up over time.

02-28-2013, 10:38 PM	#7
cheerful chickadee practically perfect......practically Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: ny Posts: 1,625	I've worn glasses since I was 2 years old (33 now) and I would recommend an optometrist or ophthalmologist vs. a vision center. I have taken my kids to a vision center (tried Pearle and LensCrafters) and were told they both needed glasses at least for reading....mild prescriptions but still they both should have them. I was surprised, they didn't seem to be struggling with their vision whatsoever. So I took them to an optometrist and was told they were fine, did not need corrective lenses at all. So basically in my experience the vision centers will tell you that corrective lenses are needed even when they're not. Now if you already wear glasses and know you will need them still and just want a new updated scrip for new frames and lenses then a vision center is quicker and easier since it's all in once place. Just my 2 cents

03-01-2013, 01:57 AM	#9
The Mystery Machine DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Missouri Posts: 41,671	Ah, a topic near and dear to my heart. I had been going to the same place forever which was a private practice (not a chain) optometrist office. The exams are very good and detailed. I have not been happy with the glasses there anymore, so went out on a limb and saw an opthamologist. That exam was pathetic. So now, I am going to shop around again to find a new place. I NEED new glasses and I NEED someone to correctly make some progressives for me. I cannot see worth a crap anymore with my glasses, I see better without them. It drives me up a wall. Example, I cannot wear my glasses to read, type on the computer, or read fine print. Anyway rant over.... Bottom line...unless you have a eye condition an optometrist is fine. I think a private practice is better in my experience as well......