#SeeMoreWithScrivens

Monday, June 24, 2019
Today's post is going to be a little longer and more in-depth than some of my posts usually are as I'm going to be reviewing my experience of using the relaunched 'three easy steps to contact lenses' process with Scrivens Opticians. Before I get into the post, I'll give you a little background on my experience of wearing glasses and contact lenses. I started wearing glasses at around the age of fourteen and by seventeen I'd started looking into and then wearing contact lenses. My initial experience with contact lenses was a little...daunting and I didn't receive much assistance or aftercare, if I'm honest. After my experience with Scrivens Opticians, I wish I'd gone to them years ago as the process was so much better!

Eye Test
Firstly, I was invited down to my local branch of Scrivens Opticians which for me is based in Royton. The team at the Royton store, especially Liz and Clare, were incredibly lovely, friendly and every member of staff made the process less stressful and easier when compared to my experience of using other opticians in the UK. As my previous eye test was two years old, I received a complimentary eye test before the process of finding the right contact lenses for me. The eye test was comprehensive and unlike others, it didn't seem to take an age. My initial impression of Scrivens Opticians, which is a UK opticians I hadn't visited before, was very positive. Just a note, if you follow me on Instagram (@ofbeautyand) then you'll have seen some of my experience at Scrivens already.
Thankfully the eye test only revealed a very minor change to my prescription from my previous one so I didn't need new glasses but I did need to look at a new contact lens option as the fortnightly lenses I was using weren't the best option for my extremely dry eyes. The initial contact lens appointment I had back in my teens (at a different opticians) wasn't very involved and I was almost left on my own to figure out the daily process of using lenses which as a beginner wasn't the most helpful option. However, thankfully the Scrivens 'three easy steps to contact lenses' process was so much easier and there's far more aftercare involved which is definitely appreciated!

Three Easy Steps To Contact Lenses: Demonstration and Trial 
The initial contact lens appointment, which I was able to have immediately after my eye test, involved a free demonstration of how to use the lenses and an assessment of my eyes to determine which lenses would be best. There's quite a large range of lenses to choose from, which a beginner might not be fully aware of and I certainly wasn't when I first received my lenses over eight years ago - I had no idea about the choice available!

The lovely optician at Scrivens suggested that due to my hayfever, wear time and very dry eyes, the best lenses would be the Acuvue Moist Daily Lenses. The wide range of lenses available at Scrivens Opticians is fantastic as not only do the lenses vary in terms of the brand, price and wear time (monthly, weekly and daily, for example) but the materials vary as well which is something else I didn't know about contact lenses, despite wearing them for so many years.

As I've been wearing lenses for so long I personally didn't need a demonstration as putting in and taking out my lenses is incredibly easy but I would say that if you are a beginner when it comes to soft contact lenses, then I would suggest gently pulling down the lower eyelid and placing the lens onto the eye - as shown in the very informative booklet created by Scrivens Opticians. I have witnessed numerous people being given a contact lens demonstration at another opticians and they had the individual doing some kind of acrobatic arm movements to simply put in lenses which isn't needed!

After putting in the lenses, to make sure that they're comfortable and fit well, I had to leave them in for 25 minutes and return to the store for the optician to examine my eyes again. One of the main differences I've noticed and a huge benefit of the process offered by Scrivens Opticians is the level of care and attention to detail. I have never experienced the level of care and follow up appointments with another opticians when it comes to finding the right lenses and checking to see whether the lenses are actually comfortable and suitable for my eyes, so for that reason alone, I cannot recommend them enough.

Thankfully the lenses were extremely comfortable which is something I've been lacking with my previous fortnightly lenses. If you are a fellow contact lenses wearer then you might be able to related, especially at this time of the year, to the occasional discomfort that can occur with lenses if they don't fit well or if they aren't the correct brand/material for your eyes. I've been struggling through wearing my lenses for months and then switching to the Acuvue Moist daily lenses was such a relief. The lenses I chose weren't in-stock so they were kind enough to order and post me a ten day supply of the lenses to trial which is included within their 'three easy steps to contact lenses' process.

Three Easy Steps To Contact Lenses: Follow Up Consultation and Alternatives  
I've already mentioned the level of care that I experienced with Scrivens Opticians already but I need to mention it again as a few days into the trial I received a follow up phone call to check that the lenses were comfortable and if I had any issues which again is something I haven't experienced before. The ten day supply was a great length of time to test out the lenses and I had absolutely no problems with them - they were the most comfortable lenses I've ever tried!

Two weeks after my initial eye test and assessment, I had my second appointment to see if the lenses were still comfortable and suitable for my eyes at the Royton store. Thankfully they were and I'm currently testing out a months supply of the lenses. However, if after the ten day trial period you didn't want to choose contact lenses then there's no need to worry as you can receive a £25 voucher that you can use towards a pair of glasses instead.

Overall: Pros and Cons 
From my personal experience of not only the Scrivens eye test and the contact lenses trial but my years of experience wearing contact lenses, I cannot recommend the Scrivens Opticians 'three easy steps to contact lenses' process enough. I wish that this process was available or that I'd known about it years ago and it's a much easier, more comprehensive and a far more care focused approach to trialling contact lenses, which is exactly what you need as a beginner! I think the attention to detail, the follow up appointments and the option to trial the lenses makes the somewhat daunting process of switching to contact lenses, much easier and far less stressful, in my opinion.

The information provided by Scrivens Opticians during my eye test, contact lens demonstration and follow up appointments was fantastic and I was able to take away numerous leaflets and an easy to follow guide which I would have loved as a beginner. I personally didn't receive any help, advice or a guide years ago so to have so much information, some of which was new to me, was a little eye opening...

If I'm being honest, the initial eye test, contact lenses demonstration and waiting was a little time consuming but I think it does show more care compared towards the customer. Additionally, if after the tests, demonstration and follow up appointment you don't want to proceed with contact lenses, you can get money off a pair of glasses instead so you don't lose out. I personally feel as though it's a fantastic system, a great offer and it would be ideal for contact lenses beginners. I also cannot recommend the Royton store enough as the staff were very helpful and approachable.

Every individual is different, however, I think that contact lenses are such a fantastic alternative to glasses as they're so convenient and they are ideal for those who work at a desk or screen as I personally find glasses to be quite headache inducing but contact lenses don't present that issue. If you are thinking about switching to lenses then I highly recommend trying out the Scrivens Opticians offer - the contact lens demonstration is free so you have nothing to lose. Scrivens Opticians also offer additional benefits such as free glasses adjustment and advice as well as free hearing health checks.

Check out the link to find out more about Scrivens Opticians and their easy Three Easy Steps To Contact Lenses offer!

Use the code: Heather10%offCL to get 10% off lenses at Scrivens Opticians!

Do you wear glasses or contact lenses? If you do wear glasses, would you switch to lenses? 

*Gifted/Sponsored 

19 comments

  1. I love wearing contacts, but I haven't been wearing them for months as I find they irritate my eyes after a full day of wear.

    Candice x

    natalyaamour.com

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  2. I really need to give contact lenses another try. I went to Specsavers to trial them but the optician actually put them in backwards! He only realised after an hour of me wearing them. I thought something was wrong! I've never been back but I'm blind as a bat so I need to get something soon.

    Roxie | thebeautifulbluebird.com

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  3. I wear glasses, need to get my eyes tested again soon because they've definitely got worse

    Jenny
    http://www.jennyinneverland.com

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  4. I'd love to try contact lenses but it's just the thought of having issues with them. Thanks got sharing x

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  5. I've actually never tried contact lenses! I'd like to have laser one day though

    Jasmine xx



    Jasmine Talks Beauty

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  6. Luckily I don't need glasses or contacts just yet. xx

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  7. I imagine contact lenses to be so much easier when you're working at a screen all day. They seem so convenient x

    Tiffany x www.foodandotherloves.co.uk

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  8. I really want to try wearing contacts so I'm definitely going to look into them!

    Love, Amie ❤
    The Curvaceous Vegan

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  9. I wear glasses as couldn't get contacts to work but I may relook now x

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  10. I have glasses but my prescription is tiny so fortunately I don't have to wear them for day-to-day use. I'm not sure if I could handle contacts though. Sounds like you had a great experience at your appointment x

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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  11. I used to wear contact lenses every single day for about 5 years, but then o decided to try glasses instead during a really busy time at work and never switched back x

    Www.beautyqueenuk.co.uk

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  12. Ooo, this is really interesting! I only wear glasses for reading but I always find it interesting to read about contact lenses. I didn't wear cosmetic ones until last year when I tried some for a cosplay and was so proud of myself for poking my head with them! Haha!

    Daisy xoxo | TheDeeWhoLived

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  13. I'm not sure how I would get on with contacts - I hate eyes!!!
    Em x

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  14. I've not used contacts in such a while but I really need to get some more!

    Erin || MakeErinOver

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  15. My grandparents swear by Scrivens x

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  16. This is really informative. I don't currently need glasses or contacts but I did wear contacts for halloween one time and taking them out really freaked me out so I've never worn any since haha.
    Chantelle x
    The Girl In The Tartan Scarf

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  17. This is really informative. I don't currently need glasses or contacts but I did wear contacts for halloween one time and taking them out really freaked me out so I've never worn any since haha.
    Chantelle x
    The Girl In The Tartan Scarf

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  18. My eye sight is great so I won't be needing these a while :)

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  19. I love having the option of contacts although I more often reach for glasses.

    https://littlemissmelanie.com/

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