Bear with me on this one people.

You take your car in for its annual 'fitness test' (MOT), and they remove your brake system before taking it out for the road test.

The car fails to stop so they fail it and flog you a new brake system. Okay, okay!! I'm getting there!!

They throw away the old brakes even though they were in good working order, and they would have noticed this if they'd tested them still attached to the car.

Yes, you're right, stupid scenario and it just doesn't happen does it.:)

So!!! Why, oh why is it that every two years when I go to the opticians do they test my eyes WITHOUT my present glasses being worn? Surely, if I can see everything I'm supposed to whilst wearing them then, logically, they are okay and I don't need new ones.

The reason I ask this is because I can still see just as well in my old ones from two years ago (as worn now) as I can in my old ones from four years ago. I am obviously left wandering whether I/we are getting ripped off by opticians.

To me it just seems iffy to test someone's 'unaided' eyesight knowing full well that they already require glasses - and have done for several years - and end up selling you a new pair even though the ones in your pocket might be still servicable.

Stupid thread I know, but does anybody know WHY our eyes are tested without our existing glasses?:suspect:

I understand what you are saying, but------
If you use the same optician every time they will have a history of your eyesight.
Examining your eyes can also show other illnesses such as diabetes.
If there is no detoriation in your eyesight a reputable optician will tell you.So need to buy new specs (unless it is vanity).
How would they slot all those lenses in if you were wearing glasses?
When you are 60 you will get free eye tests (if there's any money left)

It's great having a free eye test and walking out not having to buy any specs.
What's all this BOGOF rubbish? I would rather have one properly made pair that don't fall to bits in a few months.

As far as I remember, when I get my eyes tested they test them with those really funny looking specs, in which they make up the prescription of my current specs with the little slotty in lenses. That way they can make slight adjustments/cover up an eye etc. more easily than if you're wearing proper glasses.

However I'm so short sighted I cannot see anything at all on the board (probably not even the board itself!) so it would be a completely pointless exercise trying to test me with no specs.