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Optician out of order - scaring me

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Kathy1960

Kathy1960

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I was at the optician for my check up - all fine. She actually said "I don't have any concerns about your eye health". Talk turned to diabetes as it would and I told her I had a normal range hba1c at my last test and was going to do all I could to keep really good control. Her reply? - "I don't want to rain on your parade, but you will get symptoms and problems in 10-15 years no matter how hard you try"!!!! I was gob smacked! I tried to argue my case but she was very "know it all". It's not like she 's a doctor and had no right to be saying stuff like that and has sown a seed of doubt in my mind. A few days later, I got a letter from the hospital saying I had been referred to the eye dept! She had not mentioned anything about this - having said everything was fine! So I rang and spoke to the senior partner at the optician who was VERY apologetic and said he would have words with her and get back to me. She should never have said that about future diabetic problems and He said I didn't need to be referred - it's a small problem with my peripheral vision which has been there for years. She should have a) checked with him and b) informed me. Sorry if this is long - it upset me and has now made me worry that complications are inevitable no matter how hard you try.( I asked her if she meant eye problems in the future and she said - not just eyes and went on to list all the possible complications - until I stopped her) xx
 
Sorry to hear this, she had no right to scare you like that. I hope you hear from the senior partner soon.
 
Ljc said:
Sorry to hear this, she had no right to scare you like that. I hope you hear from the senior partner soon.
Click to expand...
Thank you ljc x
 
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Kathy, this is why she's an optician and not an Endocrinologist! She's clearly the short-sighted one with out dated and ill-informed attitudes towards diabetes. The senior partner obviously has her measure and she should be disciplined for over extending her knowledge base.

Move opticians...there's hundreds of better, more skilled and more tactful people out there.

Don't let her ignorance derail you in your great efforts! Best wishes, Amigo
 
If you are a driver perhaps the optician was worried about something hence the referral.
Quite agree though there are ways and means to implant info to patients.
 
Kathy1960 said:
I was at the optician for my check up - all fine. She actually said "I don't have any concerns about your eye health". Talk turned to diabetes as it would and I told her I had a normal range hba1c at my last test and was going to do all I could to keep really good control. Her reply? - "I don't want to rain on your parade, but you will get symptoms and problems in 10-15 years no matter how hard you try"!!!! I was gob smacked! I tried to argue my case but she was very "know it all". It's not like she 's a doctor and had no right to be saying stuff like that and has sown a seed of doubt in my mind. A few days later, I got a letter from the hospital saying I had been referred to the eye dept! She had not mentioned anything about this - having said everything was fine! So I rang and spoke to the senior partner at the optician who was VERY apologetic and said he would have words with her and get back to me. She should never have said that about future diabetic problems and He said I didn't need to be referred - it's a small problem with my peripheral vision which has been there for years. She should have a) checked with him and b) informed me. Sorry if this is long - it upset me and has now made me worry that complications are inevitable no matter how hard you try.( I asked her if she meant eye problems in the future and she said - not just eyes and went on to list all the possible complications - until I stopped her) xx
Click to expand...
Kathy I know you have spoken to the senior partner on the phone...but...might be worth following it up with a letter...what she said & did has obviously had a real impact on you...made you doubt yourself...I am sorry for that...my concerns also extend to others who may have had similar comments made...stupid ignorant behaviour is not acceptable...particularly from professionals (who should really know better) ...or indeed anyone...don't take what she said to heart...and continue with that excellent control.
 
well I have been diabetic for over 20 years.

I have never had anything but the all clear from the retinopathy check.

yes my prescription changes every year, and I have the early signs of cataracts - but at 63 that is to be expected.

Try and not be too concerned
 
OMG I am so sorry to hear this, plenty of diabetics never run in to any serious complications etc, I had an optician appointment that picked up problems and it devastated me, I asked the optician if I was going to go blind and she assured me NO this can be treated, I got the same reaction from the specialist I saw at the hospital so the reaction you got is absolutely appalling and as others have mentioned she should certainly be disciplined, don't spend your time worrying etc, and in years to come when you see her on the street just say hey look I'm perfectly fine, you sound like your doing a FAB job keep at it and show her 🙂 haha xx
 
That's outrageous, Kathy, she had no right to talk to you like that! There is no reason to think that things inevitably get worse - the good people on this forum witness to that.

Don't listen to her, listen to us 😉 and carry on looking after yourself - next time someone is stupid enough to lecture you about things they don't know about just tell them to bog off! ....in the politest of manners, of course...🙂
 
Thank you so much everybody for these great and encouraging comments. The senior partner phoned me back today but to be honest didn't make things any better. He said what she was trying to say is that I shouldn't be surprised if I get problems with my eyes in 10 - 15 years! That's really the same thing! He has spoken to her and she is writing a letter of apology apparently. I think I will have to leave the practice which is a shame cos my husband, daughter and mum and many friends use them and we have always been very happy with them. If I do decide to leave, I will definitely write a letter and explain how they made me feel when I have felt so positive about my diagnosis up til now. My husband always says don't rush into things - give it time to settle. So I'll do that and see what the apology letter is like - but Im not holding out much hope! It's great to hear Hazel that your eyes have been fine for so long. If he had offered me free glasses next time - that would have helped! They are not a cheap practice - that's for sure! x
 
I've always found Specsavers to be superb and it was their optician (not the Consultant Opthamologist I'd just seen) who detected the first sign of a cataract. I once had a huge dark floater in my eye and their diagnostic testing and reassurance was second to none. Sometimes we think the smaller, personal opticians are the best but it's not always the case.
This woman was clearly 'punching above her weight' professionally and is not qualified to talk about other health indicators.
 
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