I am just very suspicious that a retail optician singerly get the contract for 8 years - no other optician plus as I stated a fair optician would indeed advise you not to drive - & for him not to say I need new lenses 2 full points out in one eye makes me wary of what is going on & come back in 12 months when it is normally 2 years ?It's about accountability Joe, we're in a nation full of ambulance chasers.
Two things occurred to me reading this, next door got the laser surgery a few years ago and it cleared his eyes up brilliant, I quote "I can see as well as I could when I was 19 and doing basic training before my national service".
Then someone else, 30+ years ago, I was walking to the bus station and got in conversation with an old fellow, he was furious and not backward about letting on, "I shouldn't be going the bus me, I've recently been diagnosed with diabetes and it has affected my sight so I can't make out colours like I could", ... "if you get diabetes later in life be careful who you tell, because my Dr told the DVLA and I got a letter informing me my licence had been revoked".
I've not run your posts down Joe, there's engagement with the usual pish*taking, sure, but it's usually all harmless stuff. Something is burning your backside and has been for a while now, pm me or give it a whirl in the depression and therapy thread. There's great people in there goin through all sorts. Sometimes unburdening yourself of something can help you lighten up. It's awful being nagged by something and being made tired by it.
Anyway, you're not happy about the nanny state and feel backstabbed by a system that seems out for profit in spite of who it victimises and costs. If you feel so aggrieved get onto age uk and the other charity types and raise blue murder about being stitched up, knowledge is power and all that stuff. Forewarned is forearmed etc...
I agree with you some older people know they have bad eyesight & do not go near an optician as they are scared of losing their driving licence -
I also new an old guy who had the occasional epileptic fit & kept it quit & had a bad road accident on a dual carriageway & got banned rightly so - I called in on him one day & he had his arm in a sling & bad bruises on his face I queried what had happed - oh I tripped on the step in my garden ...
I am aware there are people who should not be driving at any age not just OAPs & that goes for cyclist too ....
Google - Christopher Biggins & look at his case of the DVLA computer says no -
It seems if one optician says you can't drive = that is it he has the money to take the DVLA to court - most people haven't & it may be their lifeline of necessity - he stated on long journeys he gets the train , but it is costing him a fortune to get a taxi to the station etc - his case may take a long time -one would think a top consultant states his eyes are ok with a new lens etc - in a more explanatory report he paid for - than a high street optician ?
Its just a warning I posted for any OAPs on the GOT be careful where you get your eyes tested etc -
I am very suspicions Specsavers stated I did not need a lens change when wearing my new glasses now - I can feel the difference to my old ones ... 2.00 on a ens on my weaker right eye & everyone has a weak eye by the way ..
Plus no action was taken even after I telephoned them & explained they stated I was fine eyesight wise which was not the case ...
Its not the case the optician was poor at his job -quote when I telephoned - I have been doing this job for 15 years - your eyesight is fine ....