Mum has macular degeneration and very poor eyesight. Glasses are of no use to her, but prior to entering her care home she had regular thorough eye tests to check that the eye with a little sight left was not deteriorating significantly.
When she entered the home I was asked if we would like to have her eye tests done by a company they used to check the other residents and I agreed, as I thought it was the most sensible option.
Several weeks later I received a call from the company saying that they had tested mums eyes and that she needed new glasses, she had chosen a pair and they gave me the price. I explained that mum did not wear glasses, that she had a pair, still in pristine condition which she had never worn and that the last opthalmologist she saw agreed that wearing glasses was of no use to her now. They also told me other incorrect information that mum had given them and when I explained that she had dementia, she said " Oh yes, we are trained to deal with that".
I declined the new glasses, which was not received well and was asked if I wanted mum to have further eye tests. . I said yes it was essential that mums remaining sight was monitored and any signs of new bleeding were referred to a specialist. I asked then what they had found at mums test and they assured me everything was fine.
Today I was sat with mum in the lounge, when two members of the company arrived to test one of the residents eyes, I was horrified.They were so unprofessional in their manner. The eye test consisted of holding up an eyechart (they didnt even cover up one eye to test them separately) They did test eye pressure, but did not examine the eyes at all. They then told the resident she needed reading glasses! they asked her if she read, she said no. They then asked did she do crosswords, do word search look at photos, She answered no to all of these.. She was told she needed them anyway and produced some frames.
They then put a pair on the resident, advised he that they suited her and then announced the test was finished.
I am really concerned that my mum and other elderly people using this company are not having their eyes checked to monitor their health, but rather to make a quick buck and hopefully sell as many pairs of glasses and they can.
I mentioned my concerns to the care home staff and I will arrange for mums future tests to be carried out by a reputable optician.
I am posting this as a warning to others and wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience.
.
When she entered the home I was asked if we would like to have her eye tests done by a company they used to check the other residents and I agreed, as I thought it was the most sensible option.
Several weeks later I received a call from the company saying that they had tested mums eyes and that she needed new glasses, she had chosen a pair and they gave me the price. I explained that mum did not wear glasses, that she had a pair, still in pristine condition which she had never worn and that the last opthalmologist she saw agreed that wearing glasses was of no use to her now. They also told me other incorrect information that mum had given them and when I explained that she had dementia, she said " Oh yes, we are trained to deal with that".
I declined the new glasses, which was not received well and was asked if I wanted mum to have further eye tests. . I said yes it was essential that mums remaining sight was monitored and any signs of new bleeding were referred to a specialist. I asked then what they had found at mums test and they assured me everything was fine.
Today I was sat with mum in the lounge, when two members of the company arrived to test one of the residents eyes, I was horrified.They were so unprofessional in their manner. The eye test consisted of holding up an eyechart (they didnt even cover up one eye to test them separately) They did test eye pressure, but did not examine the eyes at all. They then told the resident she needed reading glasses! they asked her if she read, she said no. They then asked did she do crosswords, do word search look at photos, She answered no to all of these.. She was told she needed them anyway and produced some frames.
They then put a pair on the resident, advised he that they suited her and then announced the test was finished.
I am really concerned that my mum and other elderly people using this company are not having their eyes checked to monitor their health, but rather to make a quick buck and hopefully sell as many pairs of glasses and they can.
I mentioned my concerns to the care home staff and I will arrange for mums future tests to be carried out by a reputable optician.
I am posting this as a warning to others and wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience.
.
