Paphos Life

When we first bought our property in Paphos in 2003 the general consensus of opinion was that Opticians in Cyprus were better and cheaper than in the UK and I visited opticians in Paphos regularly every two years although I have to say I did not find them particularly cheap in recent years. We are now back in the UK and have both just had eye tests at a newly opened branch of Spec Savers which I gather is a franchise. Well I have to say the experience was far superior than any in Paphos.We were subjected to more intense tests and I was even shown the xray of my eyes.They found a problem with my left eye for which I have to see a specialist at the Hospital which had not been picked up in Paphos which they found strange as they thought must have been present for some time. I have come away with two very nice pairs of glasses on order for £69 the two. My husband's prescription had not changed and there was no pressure for him to spend a penny. The tests were free on the NHS. If you regularly travel between Cyprus and the UK I would certainly recommend you give UK opticians a try now.I'm sure you will find them cheaper and more advanced. Oh and they also had a charity box for any old glasses for recycling which I thought was a good idea.

Over the years I have had eye tests at many of the opticians in the Paphos area and must say the extent of the eye test varies immensely from one establishment to another. One of the more thorough tests was done at Elean in Makarios Avenue (off Kennedy Square).

Mrs B went to specsavers a few times but wasn't happy despite going back a couple of times.

She went with her glasses to George's Optical House and George soon realised that S/S had got her prescription wrong

We live in the UK but always get glasses from George during our trips to CY
http://georgesopticals.com/

And Aresti, owner of the Elean shops is ever so polite, even in difficult situations he never looses his temper... and their equipment is top range... I go to him since 2009 and he also advised me to go to Limassol (Potamitis) for cataract surgery which was very successful. Recently he also advised to see Dr. George N. Palexas, eye specialist from England which comes every few month to Cyprus p.e. Iasis Clinic... as it is more convenient than to travel all the way to Limassol and back..

Max

The last eye test I had in Paphos was not very good, but I usually have my eyes tested in the U.K. I have notice the last couple of times that the lenses in Cyprus have not been to previous standards plus the costs have increased drastically over the past 6 years.........I now have glasses and lenses purchased in the U.K. from an independent optician which is not cheap but with advancing years I require good lenses.

Ive had tests both at Boots and Spec savers and Boots are far better...but as most members live here its a bit of a pointless thread .

For the past few years, my eyes have been taken care of by Tesco. Excellent state of the art testing equipment, and it was them who discovered cataracts in both eyes and referred me to my local L&D Hospital Eye Clinic to get that sorted first!

All is well now, with eyes fixed and new specs. Read a couple of weeks ago that Vision Express have bought out all the Tesco Opticians store slots.

AL

WHL wrote: ↑Sat Dec 30, 2017 6:57 pm Ive had tests both at Boots and Spec savers and Boots are far better...but as most members live here its a bit of a pointless thread .

I think it all depends where you live in the UK as to which you think is best. Where I went is a brand new shop with excellent friendly staff with the very latest technology ,superior to Elean where we used to go and by far cheaper!!
I don't consider it a pointless thread as I know many members on here,either regularly visit the UK,divide their time between the UK and Cyprus or actually live in the UK and holiday in Cyprus and I was trying to be helpful!

My point which you may have missed is that 10 years ago everyone thought Cyprus was the best and cheapest for optical care but I believe this is no longer the case IMHO

The tests I had at Boots where far more rigorous and they took their time more, Spec savers reminded me more of a Del boy set up ..quick test and then to the main business to sell you glasses with as many up grades to them as posible, regards new super duper machinery, that is only as good as the person operating it, the same as here in Cyprus, some excellent opticians some lousy.

Excuse me WHL Why oh why do you have to disagree with everything I post? It really is very childish. I know nothing about the Boots Branch or Spec savers where you visited years ago I imagine. I am talking about now and my local franchise of Spec savers. I repeat that besides having top notch up to date equipment and a very highly qualified optometrist,they found a problem that necessitates a visit to a hospital consultant which was apparently missed by Elean only last year. There was NO hard sell. My husband's prescription had not changed so they did not try to sell him new frames. An excellent service and I repeat far cheaper than Cyprus.

Poppy wrote: ↑Sun Dec 31, 2017 9:22 am Excuse me WHL Why oh why do you have to disagree with everything I post? It really is very childish. I know nothing about the Boots Branch or Spec savers where you visited years ago I imagine. I am talking about now and my local franchise of Spec savers. I repeat that besides having top notch up to date equipment and a very highly qualified optometrist,they found a problem that necessitates a visit to a hospital consultant which was apparently missed by Elean only last year. There was NO hard sell. My husband's prescription had not changed so they did not try to sell him new frames. An excellent service and I repeat far cheaper than Cyprus.

Didn't realize we have to agree with what ever you post you post your experience ...I post mine.....whats so hard about that?.... last test at specsavers two years ago...last year was at Boots...

Oh so you agree that it is better in the UK than in Cyprus then? Result!!

Do stop bickering like kids almost! I’m in the UK at present and usually a customer at Eleans. I found this thread interesting and informative. I will proabably get my eyes tested at one of these opticians before I fly back to PFO. Will then form my own impression.

Thanks all.

Dee

I don't know why this thread is causing so much interest. Glasses used to be cheap in Cyprus, but fo the last five years or more years they have been cheaper in UK, so it's all old news.

Poppy wrote: ↑Sun Dec 31, 2017 2:50 pm Oh so you agree that it is better in the UK than in Cyprus then? Result!!

Stop making things up.. I visit the UK quite often, and I usually have an eye test there,not because I think its better, more because Im with my wife and she drags me in for a test... no one said the UK is better...if you read what others have said allot of members say they are happy with the service they get here in Cyprus... I have had glasses made here and the UK ..no big deal..

Is it just possible that the Spectacles retail market in Cyprus went the same way as their Clarks and Ecco shoes?

In other words, pre 2004 EU, both items were inexpensive, because they were imported in bits 'n pieces, then assembled and completed locally. This circumvented the then draconian import duties on finished products..

After EU accession in 2004, all these lovely local labour-friendly laws were rescinded on orders from Brussels. Which is why shoes and specs in Cyprus have cost a hell of a lot more over the last 14 years! On this one, I concur 100% with Poppy!

Cheap specs in Cyprus are a fond memory, but now no more, sadly...

AL

ps: Once armed with your eye test prescription, be it from UK or Cyprus, you are then free to shop online for your new specs. Typically HALF the price of the regular High St opticians!

Only recounting pre-2004 memories, Lloyd, as compared to 2004 (EU onwards). Before 2004, I used to buy genuine Danish ecco Classic slip on shoes in Evans up in the old town for me and my Dad for around CY£40 a pair, about half the UK price.

In 2004, they were no longer in stock, and the lady told me why. The shoe assembly factory in Limmasol was now closed and many jobs were lost, on account of new EU legislation.

Similarly, my Luton friends Chris and Sue always had nice new specs done when in Paphos each year. But not after 2004, when they said that prices sky-rocketed, and it was cheaper to buy in UK.

I don't have the data, but I believe the the pre-EU tariffs on complete imported shoes and specs were around 100%, compared to 5% for part-assembled goods that necessitated local labour to finish. If you don't believe me, just tell me how much an imported pair of Clarks or ecco shoes now cost in Paphos. €100 or more?

AL

Question to Happy in Cyprus not about opticians but when do you sleep?
Your comments are put on here at very early morning times Lol.
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Keep the comments coming they are great.

I don't fall asleep in front of the TV, but I do like to have a Siesta in the afternoon. This means that i usually just have six and a half hours sleep at night..

Seven hours uninterrupted sleep, try having a prostate problem two hours at any given time then a cold feet walk to the loo...