do you have your eye exam from a private eye doctor or a chain optical store?

Sandy, it depends upon the doctor. Some chains have good ones, some don't. Some private doctors are good and bad. My husband has been in this line of work for 45 years. His dad was an optomotrist. I practiced 14 years. If you just need an exam, you are better off seeing an optomotrist (OD)not an opthomalogist (MD). The OD's refract better for a prescription on the most part. And are qualified to see a disease and refere you to the MD. Caution, don't let the young kids wait on you in the optical store. Wait for the optician. All of them work for commission, and will try to pad up your bill. If you need help, email me first. Tell me your rx, and I can discuss with you what you need, before they talk you into unneccessary extras. Some states don't have licensed opticians, and that's a sad affair. Good luck, I'm here if you need free help. Blessings, M&M

I have never gone to chain stores as I don't they have the quality as a private eye doctor. I know of a couple of people who went to get their eyes examined at Wal-mart and weren't too happy with it.

Most of the chain optical stores here, the eye doctors are separate. They may be side by side...but they see themselves as separate. They just end up sending you next door for the exam of you go into the eye glass store...and when the doctor is done, they send you next door to the eye glass store. LOL I guess it is a partnership. But they are still separate. So, I don't think you should have any worries. Just choose the best one you think that will fit your needs. :)

I always went to a doctors office, until last year. My son needed glasses, my insurance had changed so I decided to go with him to one of the stores. I've had problems with my gasses ever since. I think my eyes are much worse than ever before now and will not go back. It might be that I'm just getting old, bu tI'm going to the doctors office from now on even if I have to pay the whole bill.

We've went to a chain optical store as well as a doctor's office too. I think the quality of the service was the same. We have been going to the same Doc's office for a while now because they take my optical insurance. I think it's actually what your preference may be for your own needs. :)

I had a real good eye doctor at a local chain but he is not there anymore so I may go to an eye doctor this time. Eyes are important so until I can find a real good doctor at a chain store I will go to a eye doctor's office. I need new glasses each time I go. The only bad thing is with the eye doctor's office the cost of glasses are more expensive then a chain store.

I used to go to a private doctor to get my exams but now it just depends on who I can go to and when I can get there. Both of those play a huge part in that and it's hard for me to actually find a time to get to a doctor.

On my opinion, you rather consult a doctor for professional help. It is not that I discount the capabilites of the optical stores. But when it comes to trust, I go for the professionals or specialists. I just don't let anyone do the exams on me, especially if it comes to parts of my bodies.