For those who want an eye check more comprehensive than in optical shops can try Singapore Poly's Optometry Centre (SPOC). Although the initial tests are done by final year students, the final round is done by the lecturer, a qualified optometrist. All for only $5! They will give you written prescription for new specs (some optical shops dun give you copy of prescription to keep), you can also choose to do specs at their onsite spec shop if u want. Appts can be booked online, you can Google for their website.
After reading good reviews of some Queensway optical shops in this thread, decided to check out Seng Li and AZ Optics. Seng Li staff was polite but a bit snooty & didn't seem interested to pursue business further when I was undecided during frame selection. AZ Optics on other hand was very friendly & quickly assisted me to make a choice without being pushy. Made a simple, relatively no-name specs with my high up to -8 sph and astig up to -3.25 for only $200. I went there in early afternoon and by evening was informed my specs already ready! AZ Optics gets my vote for being Triple-Friendly: People Friendly, Time Friendly and Wallet Friendly! They followed exactly the SPOC prescription and my eyes quickly adjusted to the new specs, which also speaks of the accurate skill of the SPOC optometrist.
Previously all my life had done specs at a certain "double noodle" old established shop in Bt Timah, so had no basis for comparison. My previous no-name specs was done there for $500+ some years ago, at that time thought was normal for my high power. Now I know was kena not only chop carrot but chop until like strawberry jam! Moral of story is don't stick to only one optical shop all your life.