tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post6949154597439712629..comments2024-03-28T11:41:43.558+01:00Comments on Living the life in Saint-Aignan: Optométrie ? Optométriste ? Non, merci...Ken Broadhursthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04430899802705818716noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-51308906289518948882020-07-13T21:37:53.245+02:002020-07-13T21:37:53.245+02:00I have chosen Health Net for my medicare plan whic...I have chosen Health Net for my medicare plan which has the highest credit every two years for vision care. My policy provides $250 every 2 years for new glasses - anywhere I want to go to buy the frames/lens. Once I damaged a lens and I paid only $90 for one lens and those were specialty frames (frameless - similar to Sarah Palin - I liked her glasses - NOT HER!) I have been lucky, at 72 I can still wear those frameless glasses as well as the last 3 pairs of glasses I've purchased. My eyesight has only slightly changed over the years. As Judy said, sometimes the cost was as high as $900 but recently, at Costco I have found designer frames and progressive lens for only $295 inclusive. Progressive lens are wonderful - I play the piano, love to read, do construction work (stray nail during removal damaged that lens) and with progressive lens I can keep my head in a normal position when I sit at the computer as well. I always have my older frames available. I wish you well, Ken. You were so lucky not to have had any physical damage from that fall.<br />Mary in OregonMaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04911284607089608538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-90486321418002303702020-07-13T16:07:23.346+02:002020-07-13T16:07:23.346+02:00"She said she could do the eye exam and get m..."She said she could do the eye exam and get me new lenses herself if I wanted to pay the full price." I bet the "full price" won't shock someone like you who's lived in the US.Bob Rossihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08349830722788278723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-44950147379591994212020-07-13T11:32:12.494+02:002020-07-13T11:32:12.494+02:00Ken, get an appointment with an opthalmologist any...Ken, get an appointment with an opthalmologist anyway -- even if it's in 6 months. Only they can check your retina and see if you've got cataracts to deal with. That reminds me, I've got to make an appointment with my guy, soon.Ellen Lebellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01929639076042070115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-43425939569158592722020-07-13T10:04:33.071+02:002020-07-13T10:04:33.071+02:00Yes, optometrists test your eyes and the governmen...Yes, optometrists test your eyes and the government pays for the basic test.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-90115324610166369902020-07-13T06:46:54.126+02:002020-07-13T06:46:54.126+02:00Judy and TH, Walt has computer glasses like that. ...Judy and TH, Walt has computer glasses like that. I'll ask about them at the optical shop on Wednesday. As for the sore neck, I've suffered with that too. Now I keep my laptop on a low table so that I look down at the screen through the bottom of my glasses. It works for me. There are companies in France and other EU countries that sell glasses on-line. I've read that it's probably not a good idea to order progressive lenses that way, however.Ken Broadhursthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04430899802705818716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-47031438282744382082020-07-12T23:47:12.171+02:002020-07-12T23:47:12.171+02:00Ah, I was just going to post something about them....Ah, I was just going to post something about them....I have special glasses for computer and piano that are for about 18 inches. It is very inexpensive to get it from Zinni.Thickethouse.wordpresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17187303460677067276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-70363197355145082142020-07-12T20:08:42.851+02:002020-07-12T20:08:42.851+02:00Sorry, one of those links was supposed to be to Ze...Sorry, one of those links was supposed to be to <a href="https://www.zennioptical.com/" rel="nofollow">ZenniOptical</a>Seine Judeet (Judith)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07407353544376132484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-1460276665191070712020-07-12T20:06:11.710+02:002020-07-12T20:06:11.710+02:00Sounds like Joanna is the best person to give advi...Sounds like Joanna is the best person to give advice on this, and it's a good thing that she told you about needing to have the older plastic frames checked out. If you're fine using the same metal frames that you had been looking for, it sounds like you'll be in good shape. Glasses are so important -- as long as I can afford it, I don't beat myself up over having to pay a heft sum for mine (my experience has been that, though I have seemingly good insurance for my glasses, I end up paying hundreds of dollars out of pocket... I actually have mine as tri-focals, so that there is a part for distance, a part for reading, and a part for looking at the computer. Every "focal" seems to add another $100 or so to the cost of the lense. I've paid in the $600+ range for glasses, with insurance!<br /><br />Speaking of computer use: do you have any trouble with your neck, looking at the computer screen? Even with my tri-focals, I always found that I had to keep tilting my neck up, to see through the lower portion of my glasses. So, I started wearing just off-the-shelf $20 reading glasses, when I use the computer, so that the whole lense was useable for looking at the screen. That helped enormously. But, the last time that I got prescription glasses, I paid to have a second pair made, where the lense was just for computer screen use... it makes a HUGE and WONDERFUL difference for me. I can keep my head at a natural position.<br /><br />Finally: Many of my younger friends use mail-order glasses companies.... and pay more like $35 to $65 for their glasses, including the lense! They have to get the prescription from an optician or ophthalmologist, and then they pick out a pair of glasses online, and fill in a form with certain information from the prescription, and, voilà... glasses for a fraction of the cost. I do believe that the price mounts with every "focal" as I call them :). I tell you this because, if you can keep a copy of your prescription, you could buy a second pair through one of the online services, to have on hand for a backup. Online places to check are <a href="https://www.warbyparker.com/" rel="nofollow">WarbyParker</a>, <a href="https://www.eyebuydirect.com/eyeglasses" rel="nofollow">EyeBuyDirect</a>,<a href="https://www.eyebuydirect.com/eyeglasses" rel="nofollow">EyeBuyDirect</a>, and there are others. You could probably find some that are European, if these don't ship to France.Seine Judeet (Judith)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07407353544376132484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-9844319140698043692020-07-12T19:49:33.094+02:002020-07-12T19:49:33.094+02:00Good advice, Bob. I'll have a good talk with t...Good advice, Bob. I'll have a good talk with the optician on Wednesday morning. She seemed to be very good at her job.Ken Broadhursthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04430899802705818716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-23681063429804427602020-07-12T19:48:03.363+02:002020-07-12T19:48:03.363+02:00I'll show the plastic frames to the optical sh...I'll show the plastic frames to the optical shop on Wednesday and see what she says. I have the black frames with the lens that is scratched, as well as new frames you gave me that are in brown-color metal. I like those and might decide to use them.Ken Broadhursthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04430899802705818716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-24185738844133722712020-07-12T19:45:22.887+02:002020-07-12T19:45:22.887+02:00I know you are right. I am looking for an ophthalm...I know you are right. I am looking for an ophthalmologist who can give me an appointment before the end of 2020.Ken Broadhursthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04430899802705818716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-72594418739591093642020-07-12T19:43:46.662+02:002020-07-12T19:43:46.662+02:00The problem is that I don't have an up-to-date...The problem is that I don't have an up-to-date American prescription to use. Even if the one I have, dated 2009, is the latest, it's just too old.Ken Broadhursthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04430899802705818716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-55862047554009628722020-07-12T19:37:52.254+02:002020-07-12T19:37:52.254+02:00The plastic lenses can have the scratches polished...The plastic lenses can have the scratches polished out, if the depth if not too much. I have had this done. As for your other frames, get them all filled with lenses. Then when something happens (as it no doubt will) you will have one or more back ups. My other half lost the only pair of glasses he had, and he has quite bad vision. With my "encouragement" he now has 3 pairs.Diogenesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-28950100761005861802020-07-12T15:26:47.990+02:002020-07-12T15:26:47.990+02:00The thing is, the prescription for lenses is only ...The thing is, the prescription for lenses is only part of the issue. It is important to have the health of your eyes tested too. High intraoccular (sp?) pressure leads to nerve damage and blindness or glaucoma, and other things such as macular degeneration can be happening without your being aware at first. I've been taking drops for years for early glaucoma and might have lost my vision by now otherwise. JocelynUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16051261232702616761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-50759031773034801052020-07-12T15:24:40.829+02:002020-07-12T15:24:40.829+02:00Good to know there was a way through all those rul...Good to know there was a way through all those rules. <br /><br />Here in the UK, we are (well, I am, but I assume it's the same for most people) used to opticians' shops (most of which are are large chain operations) operating a one-stop service, employing the people who do the eye testing and provide the lens correction prescription (or if the test reveals a medical problem, referral onward to hospital/specialist ophtalmologists - we wouldn't normally go direct without a clear medical issue). <br /><br />Once the eye test has been done and the prescription worked out, they then pass you on to the people who deal with the supply of lenses and frames. The NHS will pay the shop a set fee so that we get the basic eye test for both vision correction and general eye health) free, but most of us have to pay for the frames and lenses. One is free to take the prescription anywhere, and there are online suppliers, but most people stick with the one-stop shop as they try to up-sell the extras ("fashion" frames, various protective coatings, photochromic lenses and the like). For them the eye tests are loss leaders. The NHS does have schemes to help with the cost, and a set of standard (not very attractive) frames for the less well-off, but of course the chain opticians don't esactly foreground them in their offerings. I have no idea what's been happening to eye tests and the like whioe the lockdown's been on, but presumably routine re-tests have been strongly discouraged. Autolycushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17642868944400656922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-23474734336329686952020-07-12T14:46:24.206+02:002020-07-12T14:46:24.206+02:00I'm glad you have looked into getting new lens...I'm glad you have looked into getting new lenses and still have frames you can use. Take the plastic ones for the optician to see. The plastic tends to dry out and develops cracks that you can't see very easily. Let her look at them first. The metal will hold up longer but it is nice to have a change. Good luck.Joannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13625003563623988514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-47107961597793509522020-07-12T13:30:58.699+02:002020-07-12T13:30:58.699+02:00Since your most recent prescription is from 2009, ...Since your most recent prescription is from 2009, I'm glad you're scheduled to get a new one. Eyes change over time, and at our age, they can deteriorate quite a lot in a decade. I have my eyes tested every year or two and have now added a visit with an ophthalmologist owing to early onset of cataracts. It looks like corrective surgery is in my not too distant future (5 years?). I felt that reading was becoming more difficult, no longer nice crisp letters, and that got me concerned. Andrew's comment that your frames look good sounds right to me, but it is a good idea to get a professional take on that, hopefully with no upselling pressure.Bob Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691894542904701565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-72819735617098483892020-07-12T12:14:13.699+02:002020-07-12T12:14:13.699+02:00Before leaving California for good in 2012, I had ...Before leaving California for good in 2012, I had my eyes examined and was given a prescription. For some reason, I never used it for new glasses, but kept it. A few years ago, I took that American prescription to a <i>lunetier</i> near to my place in Paris and asked if they could read it and use it. No problem, they said, and I got two new pairs of glasses for a special price! I still use them. The lenses are glass and not plastic as in the US. So I think you might use your American prescription in France, if necessary.chmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17765675930520613520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-3495950418493375362020-07-12T12:12:44.742+02:002020-07-12T12:12:44.742+02:00Do you have optometrists in Australia, in addition...Do you have optometrists in Australia, in addition to opticians and ophthalmologists? In the U.S., opticians don't do eye exams. They sell and fit glasses. I'm fine with my frames. I certainly don't need to put money into new ones right now. My sister has supplied me with frames.Ken Broadhursthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04430899802705818716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-67275531201224288072020-07-12T11:05:18.595+02:002020-07-12T11:05:18.595+02:00Older people and their glasses, and I am one of th...Older people and their glasses, and I am one of them. Here our government medical system will pay for one eye check per year if you are of a certain age, two years if you are younger. But the opticians like to load up with all kinds of extra tests for eye health with high tech machines and you have to pay for these. I expect at our public Ear and Eye Hospital you could get free unstylish glasses. Your frames look fine to me. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-88903701872781490132020-07-12T10:58:45.285+02:002020-07-12T10:58:45.285+02:00I can't see (ha ha) any solution but to pay th...I can't see (ha ha) any solution but to pay the full price for new lenses. I don't need to buy frames; I have several. I'm still learning about living here. Who knew a general practitioner could give out a prescription for lenses? And I didn't think opticians could give eyes exams, but they can.Ken Broadhursthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04430899802705818716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-35124560931952878292020-07-12T09:52:25.281+02:002020-07-12T09:52:25.281+02:00Some of this sounds rather scary. And very uncomfo...Some of this sounds rather scary. And very uncomfortable. But I am glad you found a way to get new lenses, even if it will be more expensive.Thickethouse.wordpresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17187303460677067276noreply@blogger.com