High street opticians fails eye test

"High street opticians are prepared to prescribe glasses to customers who have been judged by a leading independent consultant not to need them, an investigation by The Telegraph has revealed.
Optometrists at Specsavers, Boots Opticians and Dollond & Aitchison told an undercover reporter that she required glasses - even though her vision had been pronounced 'as definitely not requiring glasses or any sort of visual aid' by a senior member of the College of Optometrists, the body that sets national standards for eye tests.
The investigation raises questions about the 15 million eye tests that take place every year across Britain.
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With designer spectacles costing more than £100, it suggests that of the 53 per cent of the population who wear either glasses or contact lenses some might save money by asking for a second opinion.
Last week, a Telegraph reporter had her eyes tested by Robert Chappell, a senior member of the College of Optometrists, who stated that she did not require glasses.
He stressed that any verdict was a matter of opinion based on clinical judgment but added: 'Anyone who says you need glasses probably should have their eyes tested themselves.'
His judgment, however, was not shared by testers at a number of high street optician's. The reporter visited several shops in London and underwent eye tests"