Opticians in N1 / EC1

[denny]

Anyone got any recommendations for a good optician in the Old Street / Hoxton Square / Angel / Mount Pleasant area? Nearer to work (Mount Pleasant / Angel) would be better, but near home is do-able too.

I'm probably going to get an eye test and contact lens check and then buy the actual lenses online, so I'm not interested in their stock - just how professional they seem when doing the actual test, how modern their equipment is, etc.

And I cringe to mention this, but; reasonably comprehensible spoken English is one of my selection criteria here. I don't care in the slightest what race or nationality the person giving me a medical examination is, but if I can't understand what they're saying then it makes me worry about how well they're going to be able to elicit my feedback and interpret it. In particular, I seem to find Pakistani accents hard to understand for some reason. A Pakistani optician without a strong Pakistani accent would be absolutely fine though. *wanders off looking embarassed*

Comments

[kotenok.livejournal.com]

I find really strong Indian accents hard to understand as well, you're not alone there.

Though, sometimes, their customer service isn't amazing, Specsavers on TCR are pretty good. They also have late opening hours, which is very convenient.

[libellum.livejournal.com]

I know Specsavers are the budget option, but I just had a normal eye test and contact lens test with them and was really impressed. They were professional, courteous, efficient and they listened to my feedback. I went to the place on Turnpike Lane, but to be honest my experience of their eye tests has been good across the board.

[kaz-pixie.livejournal.com]

I can second that for specsavers.

[hauntedunix.livejournal.com]

Of course useless given your description, but the Vision Express (Or perhaps optical express..) near Waitrose in Canary Wharf was fantastic, and got my prescription with some crazy eye measurement before I even had to read from one of those charts..

[emma]

I haven't yet been to an optician in London, but I found Dollond & Aitchison gave the best and most thorough eye test, if they're comparable cross country. I got good service from Specsavers at TCR when I broke my glasses.

[dennyd.livejournal.com]

Replying to my own question... I randomly popped into My Eyes (http://www.myeyes.co.uk/) on Exmouth Market (the road I work on, basically) for a quick chat about types of contact lens, and I was so impressed with the level of service I got as a non-customer that I booked an appointment for this lunchtime to get my eyes tested. Just got back from that and I'm currently trying a new type of lens (weekly leave-in lenses). The eye test and contact lens test were extremely thorough and reassuring.

Basically, My Eyes seem to be really good. I highly recommend them, if anyone else is looking in this area.