Glaucoma in parents - free eye tests?

Sofa_Sogood

Bogof_Babe wrote:

Good suggestion Sofa_sogood (brilliant name!), but it was about June last year, and the only reason I went was to get a referral via my GP for a cataract op, which I successfully had in December, so I mustn't really grumble. Bargain really, to get my full sight back!

I will mention it next time I'm due for a routine test though, and see what happens.

I've just remembered something else Bogof_babe ...

My sister had been in touch with the Glaucoma Association, and had put my name on their mailing list (I think...my memory's really hazy lately) and I recall getting some mailshot from them. So I probably could have provided proof if asked.

It might be worth your while to register? I'm not sure how she did it, but it won't have been online ...

Congratulations re the success of the op

calleyw

Bogof_Babe wrote:

Calley, thanks for the reply. Tbh I think in my mum's current state of health her eyesight is the least of her worries. No-one has suggested she has any further assistance in that area, which makes me wonder whether they consider her a bit of a write-off. Don't mean to be unkind but at 91 they might feel there isn't a lot of point.

When I see her on Friday I'll have a chat as to whether she feels she needs her eyes investigated.

(OMG I'm in shock, Linda Smith the comedienne has just died. She was one of my all time favourites. Sorry, forgive me for going off topic but this is dreadful news.)

Good Idea.

Yes I was rather shocked when husband came in and told me she has died. She was funny and will missed by me.

Also Dennis Weaver of Gentle ben fame died today.

Take care Bogof_Babe.

Yours


Calley

photome

My Dad has glaucoma, and I being over 40 get free eye tests, as others have posted, it was just a case of telling the opticians that my father had glaucoma and signing the form to get it done free.

I believe you are only entitled to a free test every two years unless the optician tells/asks you to come in more often, because of the severity of my dads and the fact my brother has had it diagnosed when he was 34 ( to early a stage to treat though), i go every 12 months and so far 20/20 vision.

apples1

You are entitled to a free eye test every two years if you yourself have glaucoma or you are over 40 and a direct family member (i.e parent, child, sibling) has glaucoma. If your optician requests less than two year interval you would qualify to be tested more often.

The NHS system works on trust so you don't have to prove that the family member has glaucoma but you sign a form (GOS1) given to you in the opticians declaring your entitlement to a free sight test & obviously if you lie its fraud! This applies to the other reasons you would qualify for a free sight test which are:

Considered at risk of glaucoma (by your GP). This is separate category to above
Diabetes (self only)
Complex prescription (over + or - 10 Dioptres)
Under 16
Aged 16, 17 18 or 19 and in full time education
Claiming income support, working family tax credit, pension credit, job seekers working allowance
Over 60


Just for info (relating to earlier posts on this thread) - not everyone would use drops to control glaucoma as it can be treated with surgery in certain cases. Cataract surgery can often remove glaucoma as a larger anterior segment space becomes available.

HTH

Sofa_Sogood

apples1 wrote:

You are entitled to a free eye test every two years if you yourself have glaucoma or you are over 40 and a direct family member (i.e parent, child, sibling) has glaucoma. If your optician requests less than two year interval you would qualify to be tested more often.

Not sure if it's relevant, but I had 2 free tests within a few months after a doctor told me to see an optician because of headaches. Boots rang the relevant health department (can't remember which dept.now - my memories shot today )

Sheel

Same experience for me as a couple of other posters . My late Mum had glaucoma so I get free eye tests and have never been asked for any proof. Don't remember signing a GOS1 form , but I may have done and forgotten as i'm well over 40

Sofa_Sogood

Sheel wrote:

Same experience for me as a couple of other posters . My late Mum had glaucoma so I get free eye tests and have never been asked for any proof. Don't remember signing a GOS1 form , but I may have done and forgotten as i'm well over 40

I might have done the 2nd time Sheel, though I don't remember. Just lately I don't remember much though

Let's hope people don't see it as a grabbit though

calleyw

apples1 wrote:

Just for info (relating to earlier posts on this thread) - not everyone would use drops to control glaucoma as it can be treated with surgery in certain cases. Cataract surgery can often remove glaucoma as a larger anterior segment space becomes available.

HTH

Possibly not the only treament but would have thought it was one of the most common treatments that is used.


Not done much research on the subject but know that was my late FIL's treatment.

Yours


Calley

Sofa_Sogood

calleyw wrote:

Possibly not the only treament but would have thought it was one of the most common treatments that is used.


Not done much research on the subject but know that was my late FIL's treatment.

Yours


Calley

If it helps, I only know what happened with my Mum. She was in hospital for weeks ... just having drops put in. The eye that was affected was eventually removed.

So it could be that if the damage is so widespread, the eye will be extracted anyway but hospitals will prevent the inevitable?

Personally, and only because of what happened to my Mum, I thought the drops were so important that she had to be hospitalised to make sure they were given. If anyone had asked, they'd have realised that she had a family large enough,and intelligent enough, to apply the drops for her.

She ended up spending months in hospitals, and losing her eye anyway ...

I can't figure out why any of that happened, but can only say how important it is to look after your eyes, whatever the cost, as other people here have told me.