Eye-Checkup where?

delpino

Hi there,

I've just been to an optician and asked for a proper eye-checkup. Apparently you should do this every 2 years. They charge 20 GBP for this service. Seems to be quite a lot. Does the NHS normally offer this for free?

Thanks

cattie

See here for who qualifies for free eyes tests http://www.healthyeyes.org.uk/index.php?id=102

derrick

delpino wrote:

Hi there,

I've just been to an optician and asked for a proper eye-checkup. Apparently you should do this every 2 years. They charge 20 GBP for this service. Seems to be quite a lot. Does the NHS normally offer this for free?

Thanks

Or you could go HERE and print off the voucher for a free eye test from D&A valid until 31st May 2006

delpino

I wonder how thorough is that though if its free.. probably they just want you to buy glasses afterwards

Macnab

get a voucher from boots using your advantage card for a half price eye test and then get buy one get one free on your glasses

derrick

delpino wrote:

I wonder how thorough is that though if its free.. probably they just want you to buy glasses afterwards

Had one done last year, took about 25-30 mins, very thorough and no pressure to purchase glasses, they have to give you the prescription

RoCas

How about free eye test which includes contact lens prescription? Anyone know where?

Cheers

silvercar

The D&A eye tests are thorough. They are done by professional opticians who would not risk their livelihood and professional standing by cutting corners. They are doing it in the hope that you will then buy glasess or contact lenses from them.

I write as someone who has used them - no vested interest. I have a family history of certain eye problems and need to make sure that certain odd tests are done when I have my eyes tested, so I know what to look for. They performed all the standard and extra tests without me having to ask and were competent, knowledgable and thorough.

gregg1

RoCas wrote:

How about free eye test which includes contact lens prescription? Anyone know where?

Cheers

this is something I am keen to find out. The eye test you have for glasses differs to the one you need for contact lenses. At Dolland & A they said they would charge £22 for the contact lense check. I had the check but then they said that they had to fit me with a trial pair of lenses before they would let me have the prescription (I have been wearing lenses for years) to make sure they were the right prescription. To get the trial lenses though they said I had to join their contact lenses by post scheme (£30 per month!). I can buy my lenses on the internet for £66 per six months as opposed to £180 if I had to have them on the scheme- not much of an incentive. They refused point blank to let me have my prescription unless they had fitted the trial lenses and I had completed a direct debit for £30 a month. This seems a bit of a con to me. Anyway, I have since been told that Specsavers will do a contact lense check, although not for free, and let you have the prescription without all the hassle.

silvercar

Your D&A experience is different to mine.

Here you can either pay £30 for a contact lens trial 7 prescription or sign up for their contact lens scheme and not be charged. The contact lens scheme starts at £11 a month.

If you start the scheme then phone them up and say you are not wearing the contacts as often as thought (I have daily disposables) they will suspend your direct debit and you can still retain all the other benefits eg free eyecare and half price glasses.

The cheapest contact lens scheme I have found is at Costco. £9.99 for a fitting and a years aftercare. The lens are bought separately but the costs are about the same as the online rates.

huddsta

Not to long back I got paid to have an eye test via a mystery shopping company.