[Medical help] Eye care + glasses: which ophthalmologists/opticians are best for eye exams, new lenses, and honest advice?

[EIA_Ask_NO]

Let’s build one reliable thread for anyone comparing opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists — because people often mix them up when searching.
Common phrases include optometrist in Norway, ophthalmologists Norway, optician Oslo, and Norway glasses — plus general questions about Norway healthcare cost and how many doctors in Norway when people try to understand the system.

FAQ-style questions from the list:

• Are ophthalmologists in demand / are ophthalmologists in high demand (did you struggle to get an appointment)?
• Opticians and eyewear salons Norway — which stores actually give good guidance rather than upselling?
• Are opticians in demand (and does that affect wait times for eye tests)?

Where did you get your best eye exam or glasses — and what made the service feel genuinely professional?

 

[ViolettaPetrovna]

I’ve dealt with both an optometrist in Norway and a referral to ophthalmologists in Norway, and my strong opinion is that optometrists here are generally more helpful for everyday eye care than people expect. From what I’ve seen, the good opticians actually take time to explain your vision changes instead of just pushing the most expensive frames in the shop. but there’s a nuance… if you need anything medical beyond routine exams, ophthalmologists are in high demand and the wait can feel endless unless you go private. I found that some optician Oslo locations were refreshingly honest about whether new lenses were really necessary or not, which I appreciated more than fancy store design. It feels like opticians are in demand, but appointments for eye tests were still easier to get than specialist doctor visits. Pricing was never cheap, but clarity and patience mattered more to me than saving a bit. Has anyone found an optician who actively talks you out of unnecessary upgrades? And how long did you wait the last time you needed an ophthalmologist appointment?

 

[Alex Turner]

This mirrors my experience almost exactly. I went in for what I thought was a routine eye exam at an optician in Oslo and ended up spending nearly an hour talking through screen fatigue, night driving, and whether my “problem” was actually just bad lighting at home. The optometrist was refreshingly blunt and told me not to upgrade lenses yet, which instantly earned my trust. When I later needed an ophthalmologist referral, that was a different story—long waits unless you go private, and very little hand-holding. If you’re shopping for glasses afterward, reward yourself with a coffee at Tim Wendelboe nearby—great spot to sit and actually test whether those new lenses were worth it.