Mrs Fred after 9 years has finally decided it's time she got herself a new pair of glasses. She got the last pair from the UK, but she doesn't want the hassle of returning just for glasses.
So does anyone know the drill?
Do you just walk into an Optician and make an appointment?
Can you recommend an Optician? (Would help if they spoke a little English).
What's the going rate for a pair of glasses these days in France?
Thank you.
For a person who's not worn them before or hasn't had a recent FULL test I would suggest that an official opthalmologist is your best bet.
You can get an appointment through your registered doctor who will set things up for you - presume you're fully in the French healthcare system (aka CV et al).
There is one listing for an opthalmologist at 67 r Clavières 86500 MONTMORILLON (won't mention name as it's frowned upon by French law). I do have experience of this guy although he does his absolute best NOT to speak English and does often keep you waiting long past the appointment time.
He did my cataract surgery at the Montmorillon hospital - however I am not really confident in recommending him. It would be best if you persuade your doctor to get you an appointment with the CHU Poitiers.
PM me if you want gruesome details etc...
As for the price of specs, suggest you take a stiff 'bracer' before getting the quotes, hellishly expensive in France and your CV only covers an amount so small that you'll need the new glasses to make sure what they offer is real - your top up should also contribute but that will depend on what coverage you have - but be prepared, you might even want to see your bank manager first
Sorry to rain on your parade Fred but I can second everything Steve said.
The guy in Montmorillon appears to be the only opthamologist this side of Poitiers or Limoges. Waiting time for an apointment can be more than a year, he's grumpy, over worked and unwilling to speak English - although he can.
Opticians in France don't appear to be the same as in England. They will recommend a pair of off the shelf specs without really doing the eye tests you'd get done as standard in England - because they're not qualified to do them.
As for the prices
Believe it or not, it was cheaper for me to go back to England earlier this year to up-grade the old specs - and get proper tests done.
Blimey
(Oops that wasn't a god choice of words). 
Thanks Guy's I have passed on the information, and she said she will give it a miss and think about a return to Blighty.
Can you just fly over, go into an optician and come back with them?
(Thu-19-09-2013, 19:22 PM)Fred Wrote: [ -> ]Can you just fly over, go into an optician and come back with them?
Basically, yes. I made an appointment with our usual opticians from France. Flew to Blighty on Thursday, saw the optician on Friday. Full set of tests etc which only took half an hour.
The only hitch came when she told me she would have to change the prescription for a new pair of specs which would take a week to arrive.
However, not a problem if you know someone who travels between UK and France and willing to pick up said specs and fly back with 'em.
Or Mrs Fred could just loiter in the UK for however long a new pair might take to arrive. If that's what she needs. Choices, choices......
(Fri-20-09-2013, 10:41 AM)Admiral Wrote: [ -> ]Or Mrs Fred could just loiter in the UK for however long a new pair might take to arrive. If that's what she needs. Choices, choices......
Last time she got some, we had to go over and she managed to get them in 3 days. But she doesn't want to go just for glasses, looks like we will have to wait for someone to pop their clogs.
Have you heard anything about getting them on the internet? I'm sure I read somewhere that you can get a prescription in the UK and then order them on-line.
She's not desperate for them yet as she has only lost the car twice even though it was only 20mt away, and she can still see well enough to spot a Cow in the road.
Just
Just thought I would update this in case it may help others.
I had to go to Poitiers last week and whilst there we decided to go into Leclerc supermarket. They now have their own optician shop, so we went in and asked if they just sold glasses or done eye tests too.
A very nice man said yes we do eye tests would you like one now? Mrs Fred was gob-smacked and couldn't believe it. Anyway's he tested her eyes and started turning some dials and just as she was getting there and could see a lot better, he stopped and said "I'm sorry but I can't get it 100% for you and suggest you ask your doctor to refer you to an opthomologist as you have double vision on one eye"
So he could have given her glasses but it looks like she has a bit more of a problem than she thought, so it could be worth others giving it a try when you next need your eyes tested.
Oh and the cost for Mrs Fred's eye test? Nothing! he couldn't help her so he didn't charge her for the half hour of his time.
(Tue-29-10-2013, 12:06 PM)Fred Wrote: [ -> ]Oh and the cost for Mrs Fred's eye test? Nothing! he couldn't help her so he didn't charge her for the half hour of his time.
Cripes Fred
Instant serice AND free and all in France. Almost unbelievable.
Still, good to know that a service like that exists.
I broke my glasses and took them to Poitier's to see if I could get new frames for them and found a store that was advertising new glasses for as little as 29€. My friend who speaks very good French proceeded to ask if the man could help. Not only did he take my old lenses and fit them into a new frame (had to wait an hour so went shopping), he did so for 11€ and spoke good English and was very pleasant. I would highly recommend the shop.
Centre Commercial Géant Casino
86011 POITIERS
Tel : 05 49 46 54 07
AMF Mixed Topics