Why don't opticians use digital cameras?

[mrph]

Serious question. Well, ok, semi-serious question.

The thing I always find slightly frustrating about buying a new pair of glasses is that I'll be stuck with them for a couple of years, but I can never quite see how I'll look in the new frames until it's too late - there's usually some sort of magnifying mirror available at the opticians, but that never gives me a very clear picture. And while I'm sure the dispensing optician's advice is well intended, I don't always agree with their sense of style...

So, digital cameras. Surely it's the perfect solution? Especially when you consider that most opticians now have a computer or two around.

Try on the new frames. Get a photo taken. Change back to your normal glasses, see how you look in the photo (uploaded to the PC, if possible, or just on the camera screen). Surely that'd work? Or am I missing something?

...although obviously it would have been much more sensible if I'd thought of this at 8:30 this morning and left the house with my camera in my pocket, so that I could have done this before I bought a new pair today. D'oh.

Edit: Ok, so I've just missed all the opticians that do have this facility... *sigh* :)

Comments

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

D&H Do, they have computers linked up so you can see what you look like in different styles.

[pink-mouse.livejournal.com]

I always found that taking my mum and/or sisters was always the best way of getting an unbiased view on glasses.

[erming.livejournal.com]

I thought Dolland and Aitchinson did that.

Ah well.

[goth-tart.livejournal.com]

I'm sure that some of the larger branches of Dollond and Aitchison offer a service similar. You choose the frames and they take the pix of you wearing them so you can decide whether they genuinely suit you or not. I haven't actually seen evidence of this but I believe it does exist!

This is why I stick to the same design of frames that I've had for years (even if it does mean searching through a ridiculous number of shops until I find the matching pair)

[mrph.livejournal.com]

Sounds like they do, I just didn't know that 'til today.

Still, I'm quite happy with the way it went - the frames looked perfectly good when I wasn't wearing them, and it all worked out remarkably cheap, considering my prescription.

[purplerabbits.livejournal.com]

Large branches of boots have a screen hooked up to a camera so you can do that.

[mrph.livejournal.com]

See above. Seems everyone knew that except me... :)

I've had the same design for about six years too. Except that they discontinued it in 2001... gits. :(

[sheepthief.livejournal.com]

You mean like http://acidb.ath.cx/hair.jpg

(I'll dig the URL for that program out later tonight)

Not quite, but

[mrph.livejournal.com]

Hey, the second one there's pretty stylish...

[inulro.livejournal.com]

It's the one and only thing I insist on having my boyfriend's opinion on.

I recently purchased a new cheap "spare" pair (when you're as blind as me, you can't have too much backup) without his assistance, and they actually look pretty good.

[snow-leopard.livejournal.com]

Need I rub it in by saying - do you know that money off glasses/free eye-test voucher I offered you that you refused? That was for an optician that offers the digital camera service!!!

[mrph.livejournal.com]

Typical. :)

Ah well, I got the whole thing for £118 in the end (£30 for the frames, £88 for the Zeiss lenses) so I'm not too unhappy with the final result.

Re: Not quite, but

[sheepthief.livejournal.com]

Do your own!

http://www.ukhairdressers.com/hair_move/index.asp

[surje.livejournal.com]

that's a really good idea. i can't actually see whilst trying on frames so doubly important! i shall be taking my camera (if i eventually get new frames). hurrah!

[dmh.livejournal.com]

My nearest Specsavers has a machine that does that too. You can have up to four pictures on-screen at once.

[sheepthief.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure that I've ever seen you in a crap pair of glasses, and I do remember that one of the first things that I noticed about you was that you had great taste in the things.