In defence of opticians, two years ago my niece at 40 was given a note after a routine eye test to be taken to the doctors immediately, with instructions for it to be read immediately, she was then referred immediately to a neuro surgeon who diagnosed large brain AVM.

Within a week she was receiving gamma knife treatment that the surgeon reconed she would not have made another month without.

All this was from the opticians detection of something different than expected during an examination of the eye.

My recent eye test resulted in a new prescription, which I expected, and the fact that I was developing cataracts in both eyes; this revelation was definitely not expected! Not bad enough to affect my driving visibility yet, otherwise the optician would be legally obliged to report my condition to the DVLA, or so he told me. If true then I think this is a very good requirement.

During my research on vision problems I came across this subject video that may be of interest to some of us here. TC.

TopCat®

Cheers for that as at my last eye test I was diagnosed with the beginnings of cataracts and I had completely forgotten about it until now.

I use the cheap reading glasses that are available at most chemist and similar stores, basically for reading small print and nothing else.

When I worked for the police, we had eye tests about every 1/2 years, and could claim for prescription 'safety' spectacles. Had a pair of 'safety' bi-focals and also reading glasses made up and just couldn't get on with them, so they were never used. I suspect the optician had not done a proper job on the required prescription. A few years later while in Asda, had a check done by their on-site optician. He asked that I call back the next day for a further test, because he wanted further equipment. Verdict, carry on using the cheap reading glasses!.

Must put it in the diary for 2013: Have eyes tested!.