[review] Eye Appointment for Prescription & Glasses at Alain Afflelou Vieux-Lille
Every now and then, I’m going to write an article about glasses. I wear them less and less because I spend much less time on the computer and it’s rarely sunny in Lille. But since my old sunglasses gave out, I’ve decided to update my prescription glasses and my sunglasses.
The main issue is: how to get a prescription without waiting 3 months? If you’re in Lille, I highly recommend my optician Alain Afflelou Vieux-Lille (this article is NOT sponsored, as usual, I pay for everything out of my pocket).
I often go there to pick up my Vinted parcels and Charles, the optician, is always smiling and kind. I learned that he offers a teleconsultationservice, allowing me to get a prescription for my glasses within the hour. You can either book an appointment for the teleconsultation on Doctolib, or directly at the store if there are available slots. The teleconsultation room looks like this:
The teleconsultation costs €9 and is then fully reimbursed by the health insurance.
However, it’s better to also get your glasses here, we wouldn’t sit at a restaurant bringing our own food, so it’s the same here, don’t be cheap.
During the teleconsultation, you’ll create an account on a website whose name I’ve forgotten; see a first eye doctor (who will ask you to look at a certain device, close a certain eye, etc.) and then you’ll have an appointment with a second eye doctor who will give the prescription. You’ll be well guided, have no fear! Note, you need to come with:
- a carte vitale
- a physical bank card (not Apple Pay because you’ll need to enter your card number)
- the glasses you currently use
After the appointment, you have a prescription that allows you to benefit from health insurance & mutual insurance reimbursements.
You can give your carte vitale & your mutual insurance card to the optician and he’ll tell you exactly how much your mutual insurance covers. For a while now, mutual insurances no longer pay for sunglasses, but with the offer Tchin tchin at Alain Afflelou, you get a free frame and the (prescription) sunglass lenses will cost you from €10. Then, if you want to add anti-reflective coating, polarized lenses, thinning, or any other treatment a bit fancy like me, the optician will tell you how much each option costs extra.
JB and I went for a MAGIC pair, which I find super clever. It comes with prescription lenses (with anti-reflective coating, blue light, etc.), plus a magnetic part (free) with polarized sunglass lenses that clip onto the frame. The sunglass part completely covers the frame, and it doesn’t fall off. It’s super practical because if you need to change your prescription, the sunglass part doesn’t move; you just need to change the prescription lenses.
I’d advise you, though, to tell the optician in which situations you plan to use your glasses. In my case, I went for a pair dedicated to meticulous work (requiring a ++ correction), a Magic pair for driving, and a pair of sunglasses with all imaginable treatments to see dolphins peacefully. I highly recommend polarized sunglasses if, like me, you’re dazzled as soon as you see a bit of snow, a lake, a beach… or diamonds (I’m joking). Take the opportunity to ask lots of questions because Charles gives very good advice.
The store is also super big, bright, clean, and you can take all the time you need. If there are frames you’re interested in but not in the store, you can ask him to order them too.
Then, everything is very fast, a week later, you get your glasses and if the frame bothers you, you can come back for free adjustments. Unlike other opticians, he cuts the lenses himself, allowing for precision and a very appreciable “artisan” touch.
Since the store is part of the Alain Afflelou network, there are always plenty of offers. Until the end of the month I think, you even get a 3rd pair for €1 to give to your loved ones.
Optician Vieux-Lille | Alain Afflelou
Address: 69 Rue Saint-Sébastien, 59800 Lille
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jWAy182R54QRzmdb9
Phone: 0320063688
Appointment for teleconsultation: https://www.doctolib.fr/magasin-d-optique/le-vieux-lille/afflelou-le-vieux-lilleOpening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 1pm – then 2pm to 7pm (6pm on Saturdays)
