Which? have been sending secret shoppers to get eye tests – and the results make for very poor reading. The undercover investigation sent 30 researchers into a range of opticians, and over a third of them (13) rated the sight test they experienced as either “poor” or “very poor”. The resulting report says there were “too many instances of inaccurate prescriptions, inconsistent advice and failure to provide the correct eye tests”.

In a number of multiple practices, “important tests were missing”, while only one optician (an independent) received an “excellent” rating. The magazine editor, Richard Headland, acknowledges that the research is only a snapshot, but that is shows some “shocking” findings.

Specsavers, Boots, Asda, Tesco and Optical Express have all expressed surprise at the findings, and the Association of Optometrists (AOP) has stated that there is no evidence to suggest that the findings are typical across the sector. Dr Peter Hampson of the AOP says that their own research in 2017 showed that many within the profession have “a deep sense of accountability and diligence”.

Sources:

1. Optometry Today:
   “Which?” claim that sight test standards are not being met.

2.Huffington Post:
High Street Opticians Giving 'Shocking' Eye Tests and Incorrect Prescriptions, Report Reveals.