Specsavers Eye Test Costs. Advice Please.

Indie_Kid

dmg24 wrote: »

You should be able to get the test done at your local eye hospital.

I second this. I got mine done there. (mine are free anyway - not sure if the same rules apply to me; as I'm exempt to being partially sighted)

clb776

Oh I see, how often is a routine examination?

Indie_Kid

I think it depends on how often they recommend you have one. I think it's generally every 2 years; but it's one for me.

nedmundo

dmg24 wrote: »

You should be able to get the test done at your local eye hospital.

A referal to hospital costs the NHS £150 and will involve a 3 month waiting list, travelling and time for the patient. Surely it's better for that to be done by a local Optician 1st, to then ascertain if a referal is actually necessary.

If you're entitled to have it done FOC under the NHS then do so, but I'd pay £20-£25 to be seen quickly and rather than wait around 3 months to have half a day wasted and pay travel costs.

LadyMorticia

clb776 wrote: »

Oh I see, how often is a routine examination?

I think it depends on the individual person but as a rule of thumb, generally every two years, unless you have a disease of the eye or diabetes etc, then I think it's more often.

Usually you're sent a reminder through the post or by text when your next one is near being due.

littlerat

Yea, most healthy people will be every 2 years (though I'm not sure I'd go that often if I had healthy eyes), people with eye problems are normally between 1 and 2 years depending on what it is, how bad it is, how much they change and such.

I've had to a few times go inbetween and every time I've been right that my sight's changed though, I think most people with problematic eyes know changes well enough to see a difference.

LadyMorticia

littlerat wrote: »

Yea, most healthy people will be every 2 years (though I'm not sure I'd go that often if I had healthy eyes), people with eye problems are normally between 1 and 2 years depending on what it is, how bad it is, how much they change and such.

I've had to a few times go inbetween and every time I've been right that my sight's changed though, I think most people with problematic eyes know changes well enough to see a difference.

I agree. I've been a couple of times before I've been due an appointment just because I know that something is different and I've been right that my prescription has changed - albeit only slightly.

allydowd

I used to work for an optician:

Just visit another optician, you do not have to be loyal to Specsavers, explain the situation and ask for a free test. You catagorically should not be paying for this test.

Indie_Kid

nedmundo wrote: »

A referal to hospital costs the NHS £150 and will involve a 3 month waiting list, travelling and time for the patient. Surely it's better for that to be done by a local Optician 1st, to then ascertain if a referal is actually necessary.

It doesn't take that long to be seen. It took me around a month to be referred and seen.

nedmundo

It's all being slowed down to the maximum of 13 weeks to aid NHS cash flow. Of course it will vary dependent on which area you are in - Postcode lottery and all that.