eye tests

[lainnie]

hey, my rheumy said that I should get my eyes checked more frequently now I'm taking the plaquenil. Does this mean that I can apply for free or reduced price eye tests does anyone know?

Hope all are well,

Thank you, Lainnie

[Starrgazerlilly]

Hi Lainnie

As far as I can work out you're entitled to free eye checks if you're receiving an income-based benefit like Housing Benefit, Income Support, Unemployment.

Incapacity and DLA are NOT income-based so you don't automatically get free eye checks.

You can apply for help with the cost but your savings need to be below a certain threshold to be considered (I think ?8,000 for singles not sure about couples).

Someone else might know something I don't though, so watch this space B)

:flowers:

[helloos]

I have no eye coverage but have health insurance. The answer for me is no. I am on my own.

[Clare.T]

I would be interested to find out too. I am supposing I will get mine free because of my age over 60

St Tom's told me that it was OK to go to an optometrist provided they had the right testing equipment. In some areas people are told to go to a hospital to see an ophthalmologist - that would be on the NHS.

It should really be free because it is to check for the side effects of a prescribed medication so comparable to blood tests for side effects.

Edited to add that I have just spoken with the local SpecSavers branch. The manager confirmed that the only eye test exemptions ( they charge ?15 ) are those below 18 in full time education, those over 60, those in receipt of certain benefits and those with diabetes or family risk of glaucoma.

No other medical conditions. She pointed out that many people with more serious eye disease would in fact be under hospital/consultant care.

She didn't know of any other charge exemptions and pointed out that a number of medications can damage the eyes but none of them bring test charge exemptions.

Of course Prednisone can too - I can't think of any others that we regularly use.

Lupus of course isn't included in the very short list of diseases that get free prescriptions.

Huh :)


Cheers

Clare

[inky]

Hi
I had my eyes tested just after starting Plaquenil and it was damaging my eyes (detaching my retina eeeek.... I am one of those very rare cases apparently (also allergic to a lot of meds). I cannot stress enough the importance of eye tests. I also developed glaucoma after starting prednisilone... the pressure in my eyes went up, we have family history of glaucoma so I may have got it later on. If I hadn't gone and got tested I could have lost some or all of my sight. I don't mean this to be scarey, cos the effect from plaquenil was reversible (it is not if you have cloroquine (cloroquill, sorry can't be sure of name) and the glaucoma is now controlled well with eye drops. But I am so glad I heeded my rheumy's advice. I now go to our eye hospital in manchester for regular tests which is very reassuring.
The tests at the opticians aren't free in the uk except in certain specific cases (such as glaucoma in the family if you are over 40) but worth the cost I think. eye sight is so precious.
Inky