Super Vision (Dolland & Aitchison)

Member Name: julieanne1

Product:	Dolland & Aitchison
Date:	20/01/04 (463 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Contacts delivered by Post, Value for money

Disadvantages: Branches not located everywhere

I was devastated at the age of 8 when the optician said I needed glasses. I have an older sister who has perfect eyesight and so it was grossly unfair that I should have to be afflicted. My mum promised me she would bye me some nice specs which lessened the blow, but in reality she made me get some pink NHS Ones! Oh how much embarrassment can an 8 year old take! This is why when I could afford to buy my own eyewear, I made sure I got the best available, in the hope that no one would remember me in my pink glasses.

I chose Dolland & Achinson after using a smaller local opticians for years, mainly because I wanted contact lenses and had seen the advertisements for disposable ones.

I rang up to make an appointment for my initial consultation, which was completely free of charge, which made me happy before I had even got there. They told me I needed a current eye test prescription, which I did not have, so I booked for this as well (this you have to pay for this as normal). The normal Eye test was very thorough, they asked plenty of questions and even did an extra test for glaucoma (strange eye disease my gran has) as there is a history of it in my family. At the end of this I was presented with a card stating my prescription details.

My Contact lens consultation was split into two halves, the first of which lasted for about half an hour. The first thing the optician did was to ask me questions about my intended use of contact lenses. Would I wear them all-day, everyday or just for special occasions? Had I had them before? There was also a thorough an examination of my eyes, involving the use of various strange looking machines and devices. All this enabled the optician to select the correct type of lenses for me from their range. Their range includes soft and hard lenses, which can be monthly or daily disposable and also high water content ones (not sure of the difference in these). They also do permanent pairs, which you can buy out right.
As everyone?s eyes are different, so the types of lenses you are able to have will be different.

In order to see if contact lenses were suitable for me, the optician said he would put some in and I could go away and wonder around the shops for half an hour to see how they felt. He had a pair of daily disposable ones in my prescription from their stock to try out.

This is where I got a little nervous, as I had never tried contacts before. To start off with, the optician put the lenses in for me to show me how it was done. It was rather un-nerving to see someone else?s finger looming larger and larger before poking you in the eye. I could feel my self pushing backwards into the chair as if to escape. However, it was not as bad as I expected. A little uncomfortable at first as I was not used to touching my eyes (who is, you may ask), but it did not hurt. So, with my brand spanking new eyes, I went off round the shops to test out my new super vision. The difference was amazing!! I could see, and yet there were no glasses perched on my head. It was a very strange feeling. I returned eagerly to the shop for the other half of my appointment. After checking the lenses still fitted o.k, the optician settled on the monthly disposable soft lenses for me as opposed to the daily ones, he explained this was because I did not intend on wearing them everyday and I had said that I had no problem with having to clean them after use. He talked me through the basics of understanding how contact lenses work, without getting too technical, which was helpful.

I had to return to the shop a few days later to pick up my first pair and to have a fitting appointment. It is quite a while ago now but from what I remember, the first pair were free, as you have these as a trial to see if you are happy with them.

I was not allowed to take them and leave the shop until I could fit them and remove them myself. A little harsh I though and rather daunting at first,
but the opticians assistant showed me the correct method of insertion and removal and sat patiently while I practised, offering helpful advice when I was struggling. I was glad that they had not just let me take them home to practice, as it takes a few tries and some expert advice to get it right and I probably would of given up after a few misses at home.

I was given thorough instructions on the care and cleaning of my lenses, in order to keep them in tiptop condition. I have to clean them each time I wear them, before putting them back in their case. This is to make sure they stay in perfect condition, but also to protect my eyes so they are nice and sterile and dirt free for the next time I wear them. During this appointment, I also organised my future lenses, by setting up a direct debit and delivery instructions for each months new set.


So, how much does it cost, I hear you ask. Well, my particular lenses cost £14.95 a month. For this I get a box delivered direct to my house at the same time each month, containing my new pair of monthly disposable lenses, a new storage case and a bottle of cleaning solution. They are well packed, so as to arrive in perfect condition. The box is also sized to fit through the average letterbox, so eliminating the need to answer the door at an obscene hour to collect it from the postman.


For my £14.95 a month I also get free aftercare. Every six months I get a letter from Dolland and Achinson, telling me that my contact lens check up is due. This check up is very thorough, including an examination of my eyes (again with various strange machines), checks that my lenses are fine and I am cleaning them as instructed, and also a consultation as to whether I am happy with the lenses I have and any suggested changes.

Obviously the price per month varies for each person, dependant upon types of lenses and frequency of changing them (i.e.daily or monthly), but the different price plans were ve
ry well explained to me so I could confirm I was happy with the opticians decision.

I would say that the service and aftercare I receive are excellent and would definitely recommend them. The examinations are always thorough and well explained and the staff are very polite and well informed. (They are also very accommodating. I ended up with lots of spare solution as I don?t wear my lenses all the time, so they have allowed me to just receive lenses each month until I have used my excess solution up (this only costs me £9.95 a month).)



I have also found out from their web site that you get a discount on glasses if you are in the contact lens scheme, so as I am due for new glasses soon I will give them a try for these too!

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