Some of the UK largest opticians have prescribed incorrect prescriptions to patients, skipped important tests and failed to detect serious eye conditions, new research from consumer group Which? suggests.
Nearly half of the 30 undercover eye tests recorded by Which? researchers were rated as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ by a panel of optometrists. Some of the eye tests resulted in ‘nonsensical’ or ‘dangerous’ prescriptions that the panel branded as ‘shocking.’
Researchers visited Specsavers, Boots Opticians, Optical Express, Scrivens, Asda, Vision Express as well as independent practices. An eye test carried out in Asda was said to have resulted in a prescription that could not be used to make a pair of glasses while a visit to Vision Express was rated ‘very poor’ after glasses failed to correct double vision.
Independent practices received no unsatisfactory ratings and one ‘excellent’ rating.
Which? magazine editor Richard Headland said: ‘We rely on opticians to provide us with care and advice we can trust. Our research, while only a snapshot, shows some shocking findings including too many instances of inaccurate prescriptions, inconsistent advice and failure to provide the correct eye tests.
‘We did encounter some examples of great practice, including one visit to an independent optometrist that was rated excellent because of the thorough eye test, clear advice and accurate prescription.’
Asda told Which? that it felt review didn’t reflect the standards maintained across its network, while Vision Express deeply regretted if its usual high standards had fallen short and said it would take further steps to investigate.