Eye test

[NotPink]

I have booked an eye test for next week but I am very nervous about attending due to the virus. The assistant reassured me the staff were all vaccinated and wearing protection as am I. I have not been out for over a year in an indoor public place and I feel panicky. Any reassurances would be appreciated please. I keep thinking I might cancel even though I know I should go. Silly Billy.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

I must admit I've mostly stopped worrying now (it's a couple of months since my second dose). I still follow the rules and keep my distance from people, but that's mostly out of politeness.

Trust the vaccines. While they don't seem to limit infection as well with the new variants, they're still really good at preventing significant harm (to those of us who are vaccinated).

 

[Becka]

I had my eyes tested a few weeks ago, long overdue and my first non-medical "indoors" since shielding ended. It was at a Specsavers branch.

Firstly, they keep strict guard on the door. Everything is buy appointment, you have to queue outside, and it is one-in one-out. Masks for everyone, staff and customers.

Once allowed if you have to go to the small waiting area, where there is a plastic screen between each seat. Pretty standard, into the pre-screening, back to the waiting area, then to the eye test. Everything gets cleaned between each customer so it is a bit slower.

So that was fine, and no worse than any medical appointment I have had. Arguably better, because the front of the hospital I regularly use has 'segregated' things in a way that forces people into smaller channels than when it was fully open plan. And masks there seem optional.

The only bit that felt uncomfortable was afterwards when I was looking at the glasses, as mine needed replacing anyway, as an older couple who were together were brought over by another assistant to show them the range. As this was in a corner it was too close for my liking, so I had to stand to the side and wait.

Thankfully the store was not too busy, as I say they are strict on the door, and the couple did not take lon to pick out a pair and leave me to myself again.

If you touch a pair of glasses you cannot put them back, you need to put them on the counter by the door, and someone will take them away to clean before putting them back on display. Once I had made my choice I was taken away to a desk for fitting and paying then the guard released me from the shop on parole until I my appointment to collect them.

So if where you are visiting is anywhere like my local Specsavers branch then you will have nothing to worry about. And the effect on my vision is amazing, to have kept waiting and using an older prescription would probably have been bad for them in the long term, so it is definitely better not to put it off.

 

[Becka]

Trust the vaccines. While they don't seem to limit infection as well with the new variants, they're still really good at preventing significant harm (to those of us who are vaccinated).

I have been told a few times that I should still be careful, even though I have been fully vaccinated for a few months. So it is a bit of a case-by-case judgment. I am still doing most of my shopping online, but there are a couple M&S Food Hall's that are spacious and not very busy that I have been willing to go in when out at medical appointments.

But I have still be feeling quite uncomfortable on the bus to hospital when it is busy, and the hospital itself is still rather scary because no one there seems to care and their measures seem counter-productive. When I went on Monday the bus was rather quiet, but it was still a relief that an inspector came on and told a couple of people to put masks on.

I am also still wearing a mask most of the time when outside of my flat, even outdoors. I have a lung test coming up, so that will be the first time I will have had to take a mask off indoors that was either not alone in my flat, or with my dad in his house.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

I have been told a few times that I should still be careful, even though I have been fully vaccinated for a few months. So it is a bit of a case-by-case judgment. I am still doing most of my shopping online, but there are a couple M&S Food Hall's that are spacious and not very busy that I have been willing to go in when out at medical appointments.

Nothing wrong with still being cautious. I'm still definitely not planning on catching the virus! And obviously different people have different co-morbidities. People tell me some places (including M&S Food Halls) can be really crowded, but I find the places around me feel safe enough.

I am also still wearing a mask most of the time when outside of my flat, even outdoors.

I've never done that much (except a couple of times when I've been to Wimbledon, since that feels much more crowded than I'm used to), but then I don't have an imminent lung test.

 

[Becka]

but then I don't have an imminent lung test.

Ha! Good point, they are one of the reasons why I had to shield so do make me take a respiratory virus somewhat seriously. Though I am not so worried about the current variants now I am vaccinated, it is the risk of newer ones that may be more resistant. As a country we do seem very good at letting them establish here.

But it all has to be taken in balance. During the break in shielding last summer I was rather uncomfortable going to the diabetes clinic, as it was in a medical centre that was being used as a Covid assessment centre. And still is. But the building was segregated, with the rear entrance used for non-Covid patients, and the state of my diabetes at the time meant I that ignoring it was a greater risk.

Which is why I think NotPink should attend their eye test rather than risk their vision. And as opticians are a form of health care provider, I am sure all of them will be taking precautions very seriously as my local one did.

As to M&S, when they start closing branches again, I am sure the Food Hall near me will be one of the first to go. It just never seems to have taken off, possible because it is too small, or because it is too close to an Aldi and Tesco. Though that is a blessing for me as I have been in there a few times coming home from hospital and never felt uncomfortable. Though I will be avoid the one near the surgery for a while, as the Co-op is closed for refurbishment so I am sure it will be quite busy at the moment.

 

[Matilda-Rose]

@NotPink i recently had an eye test, & the Optician’s were very strict, only letting a few people is at a time. Hopefully it will be the same for you. Quite a strange experience as I haven’t been very far since Covid. The Optician’s was within a shopping centre & I was shocked at how many people weren’t wearing masks. I know some people can be exempt, & also many who don’t believe in the, but I did find it disappointing. Gook luck @ your appointment

 

[NotPink]

I had my eyes tested a few weeks ago, long overdue and my first non-medical "indoors" since shielding ended. It was at a Specsavers branch.

Firstly, they keep strict guard on the door. Everything is buy appointment, you have to queue outside, and it is one-in one-out. Masks for everyone, staff and customers.

Once allowed if you have to go to the small waiting area, where there is a plastic screen between each seat. Pretty standard, into the pre-screening, back to the waiting area, then to the eye test. Everything gets cleaned between each customer so it is a bit slower.

So that was fine, and no worse than any medical appointment I have had. Arguably better, because the front of the hospital I regularly use has 'segregated' things in a way that forces people into smaller channels than when it was fully open plan. And masks there seem optional.

The only bit that felt uncomfortable was afterwards when I was looking at the glasses, as mine needed replacing anyway, as an older couple who were together were brought over by another assistant to show them the range. As this was in a corner it was too close for my liking, so I had to stand to the side and wait.

Thankfully the store was not too busy, as I say they are strict on the door, and the couple did not take lon to pick out a pair and leave me to myself again.

If you touch a pair of glasses you cannot put them back, you need to put them on the counter by the door, and someone will take them away to clean before putting them back on display. Once I had made my choice I was taken away to a desk for fitting and paying then the guard released me from the shop on parole until I my appointment to collect them.

So if where you are visiting is anywhere like my local Specsavers branch then you will have nothing to worry about. And the effect on my vision is amazing, to have kept waiting and using an older prescription would probably have been bad for them in the long term, so it is definitely better not to put it off.

Thank you for your reply. It was very helpful. I appreciate it. I know I have to go because they can tell an awful lot of other things via eye test as well as vision... thanks again everyone.

 

[NotPink]

Thanks to you all for taking the time to reply it is always reassuring to hear about everyone's experiences. Thank you.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thanks to you all for taking the time to reply it is always reassuring to hear about everyone's experiences. Thank you.

Feeling anxious about attending your appointment is only natural after your extended period of relative isolation. This is happening to a lot of people, and I’m sure it’s partly due to the way our minds adapt to changes in circumstances so quickly. After about 6 months of seeking protection and safety through a behaviour, the new situation can feel completely ’normal’, and things you previously wouldn't have thought twice about can feel dangerous and scary.

Almost like the fear of the unknown, but more because part of your brain has been deliberately avoiding something as a ‘risk’, and also just because it has become unfamiliar (in the same way that walking into a new school / new job / new club can make you feel anxious.

Hope your appointment goes well, and try to relax. There are lots of measures in place, and the risks are very tiny.

 

[NotPink]

Feeling anxious about attending your appointment is only natural after your extended period of relative isolation. This is happening to a lot of people, and I’m sure it’s partly due to the way our minds adapt to changes in circumstances so quickly. After about 6 months of seeking protection and safety through a behaviour, the new situation can feel completely ’normal’, and things you previously wouldn't have thought twice about can feel dangerous and scary.

Almost like the fear of the unknown, but more because part of your brain has been deliberately avoiding something as a ‘risk’, and also just because it has become unfamiliar (in the same way that walking into a new school / new job / new club can make you feel anxious.

Hope your appointment goes well, and try to relax. There are lots of measures in place, and the risks are very tiny.

Thank you I felt quite panicky being in a public space not knowing where to look or for the escape route. Everyone else looked very competent and my fear was internalised. I will go for my appt. on 4th July and try to detach from my anxiety. They were very kind booking my appt. because I told them how I felt.

 

[Maca44]

It's a balance with what your comfortable with I still take precautions but it does not stop me doing most things, people at work have stopped wearing masks & gloves now we all have our jabs but I still wear both at work some people think it's all over so take risks and IMO are very selfish.