Contact Lenses Discussion Area

wadge

found this regarding free eye tests.

http://www.nhs.uk/england/opticians/nhssighttests.cmsx

sonia1963

Hi Wadge, just passing through and saw your link to the NHS site.

Didn't make it to my opticians, but like I said I was told that I qualified because of my prescription at that time. Seemingly once it got to a certain prescription future tests were free. Not sure if that is still NHS rules though. Nowadays I (apparently) qualify because my 2nd brother has glaucoma and I'm over 40.

I tried finding out the definition of 'complex lenses' re the NHS but no joy. Anybody?

Aberdeenangus , I'll never complain about my sight again. Would you consider laser/lasik surgery? Do you qualify for free eye tests?

dontbshy

hi there, been reading with interest about people wearing contact lenses for longer than they are meant to, and i can confirm when i worked in an opticians, we gave out exactly the same contacts for disposable monthlys, 3 monthlys or 6 monthlys so i dont see why if you bought monthlys you cant wear each pair for 6 months as long as you make sure you clean them properly.

philc_2

Reading these posts I've noticed that there seem to be numerous types of contact lenses.  Do most opticians have a selection of makes or are they tied in to particular ones?  

I assume the Boots and Specsavers will use their own makes so how do you know that you will get the best ones for your eyes.

My eyes are very dry so I assume I need high water content lenses.

Hi lolly5648! Especially if you think you may have some special requirement with lenses I expect the most important thing is to ask a worthy optician or two. Without even referring to your personal situation, they should be able to give you general advice about lens suitability, which could give you some food for thought, without having to proceed with a paid for assessment - which of course would be the next step.

Selection probably varies quite a lot from place to place, however you will find that there are a handful of major companies - e.g. Bausch & Lomb, CIBA, Johnson & Johnson - who manufacture the majority of lenses and they are often behind a lot of the 'own brand' lenses too.

For example, Specsavers use both B&L Soflens and CIBAVision Focus for their 'easyvision' daily lenses and I think Boots use the CIBA ones for their dailies too. Again, without commitment, an optician should be able to tell you who makes their lenses without much fuss.

This can be useful to know because, as discussed, you need to be fitted for a specific lens even if you are going to buy them somewhere else - and it is the actual manufacturer brand/type that matters - not the name somebody else has stuck on them.

Hope this helps!

Phil

lisyloo

If your eyes are very dry then I'm afraid you're going to have problems with lenses.

The most comfortable ones are soft lenses.

I would suggest trying to get a free trial to try them out so your don't waste any money if they are no good.

Ask how long the free trial is for.
I was dissapointed to find that one was for about 10 minutes.

You need to try them for longer.

astra46

Im just wondering how many people use the daily contacts for longer than a day?

My optition says that they can be used for up to 4 days, providing that they are kept in a solution overnight.

I notice that the solutions are much cheaper in specsavers direct,  than what i pay, does it make much difference what solution you use?

I pay £30 for 30 pairs of Johnson and Johnson ACUVE daily lenses, im tempted to buy on the net. Althought, will this offend my optition? As i have only been using lenses for a few weeks, if i then have any problems perhaps he will refuse to treat me (if i buy the lenses from the net).

slyemma

Just a brief note, if, like me , you receive your contact lenses through the NHS you can get your solutions on presrciption £6.40ish for six months supply. I have had my lenses through the NHS for at least 7 years but was only told about this when I moved to a different area 3 years ago. Just thought I'd let you know.

(first posting - little bit nervous!)

lisyloo

Hi slyemma,

Welcome to the boards.

What are the criteria for qualifying for lenses & solutions on the NHS.
Does it depend on a medical condition or it is financial.

Thanks for the info.

slyemma

In my case it's medical, was referred there by my Optician. Just thought I'd let others know as I was ignorant of it and spending fortunes on solutions!

::)

slyemma

Just have a word with your specialist next time you go. Don't know weather it differs between areas or specialists or whatever, but it's worth mentioning.