Professional photographer insisted he knew 'optics' better than three eye specialists — his arrogance cost him $850 extra

Professionals are professionals for a reason — they have spent years developing their skills and knowledge, which means they know what they're doing. A qualified dispensing ophthalmologist from France who goes by u/Jibasseus on Reddit shared a story of how a professional photographer who knew "optics" instructed a licensed optician to make his lenses. Despite the optician's warning, the customer insisted on having it done his way. The final result cost him €750 ($850). The post received 4,400 upvotes and 200 comments.

Mr. Know-It-All

The customer had gone to three different ophthalmologists and received three different prescriptions. He chose the parts that he liked to build his own "improved prescription," thinking he knew better. He even had progressive lenses added. The author explained, "The addition is the extra magnifying power used for reading and near vision in the lower part of the lens." Usually, the addition is the same in both eyes, but in rare cases, the "significant differences" were due to medical conditions. 

The customer was supposed to get the same addition in both eyes, but he wanted one lens to be focused "for about 67 cm (26 inches) and the other for about 40 cm (16 inches)." To understand the situation, the author compared it to walking with a heel on one foot and flats on the other. 

'Just do what I tell you'

Despite the optician's repeated attempt to explain that it would not work, the customer did not listen. His exact words were, "I'm a professional photographer. I know optics. Just do what I tell you." The optician warned him that their "satisfaction guarantee" would not apply in this case and had the photographer sign a document. Even then, the customer insisted on having his way.

You reap what you sow

When the lenses arrived, the customer put them on and said, "This is incredibly uncomfortable. I can't see properly." The optician knew this would happen and calmly dealt with the situation. In the end, the customer got a discount to replace the glasses with a prescription that better suited him. 

Do people trust medical professionals?

Sometimes, a patient may know what they want, but it is the doctor's duty to correct them if they are wrong. In the optician's case, he did that, but it wasn't heard. A study by the JAMA Network of 443,455 Americans aged 18 and older found that people have trusted doctors and hospitals less since the pandemic. It went from 71.5% in April 2020 to less than half, 40.1%, in January 2024. A 2026 Gallup poll also found that 73% of U.S. adults would go to a doctor or medical professional for medical advice; 53% used medical websites to consult about their issues; 33% would go to friends and family who are medical professionals; and 30% depend on medical professionals in emergency rooms or walk-in clinics.

'What was he trying to achieve?'

People in the comment section found the situation hilarious. Several netizens cracked jokes like u/delicioustreeblood. They wrote, "Too bad he didn't see that coming." u/dadarkgtprince commented, "This is why the customer isn't always right. They're the consumer, not the expert."

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