When I decided around age 50 that I needed something better than dollar-store readers, my very first visit was to an opthamologist. I wanted the full eye treatment, a baseline exam that explored everything, and tell me about the health of my eyes and sight. I also wanted to establish a dr.-patient relationship in case some time in the future I'd need an opthamologist.
Did the full monte - took over 2 hours including waiting for the dilation and paperwork. Said my astigmatism from when I was a little kid needed addressing again, and that my mid-range and far-sight were okay but could use some tweaking. I definitely needed near-range assistance.
So he sent me to an eye-glass shop across the street, and this guy was AMAZING. Infinitely patient with me. He hooked me up with top of the line progressive lenses, with the Cristal and UV and anti-glare and the whole shebang. Set me back around $500 but this was my first pair since I was 11, and I was just happy to get it right the first time.
Now I get them at BJ's. But at the exam, it was an assistant who did the exam and she Skyped the meeting with the actual doctor, who simply said hello to me and that all the information the assistant e-mailed to him was correct.
I never met the doctor in person, he wasn't even in the building.
But the glasses are great and I'll go back probably this coming year for a new prescription. I don't get them renewed yearly, my sight doesn't seem to change that often. I go when I notice that I'm squinting more than usual.
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