Income Support, Glasses Question

johnsons_baby

Hello,

I'm on income support (lone parent).

In April last year, I had my eyes tested at Specsavers and bought a fairly cheap (£25) pair of glasses.

I was involved in a nasty RTC in January and my vision had been funny ever since. My GP recommended going for an eye test, I did today and paid £10 (Boots Voucher), I need new glasses now as my prescription has changed quite a bit.

The optician said that I might be able to get new glasses on the basis of 'clinical need' or I could have new lenses put in my old frames but given my frames are not Boots frames, they said to go to Specsavers again. Then he suggested maybe Specsavers got the prescription wrong last year?

Went across town to Specsavers, they gave me a quote to put lenses in my frames £124, said they wouldn't entertain allowing me to have another pair with my NHS voucher as I'd already had a pair in the last year and the NHS only allows you have one pair every two years.

I understand that but the prescription is very different to my last one.

I didn't go back to them for my sight test as found them very heavy on selling me extras I didn't want or need and they got quite rude when I declined their extras.

If I go to a different opticians will I find the same thing? It seems cheaper to buy new than have new lenses in my old frames.

I accept I will have to pay for new lenses or glasses, I just wondered if there was any kind of dispensation for those who have 'clinical need' (for want of a better phrase) for new glasses earlier than the two yearly intervals.

Do want to get from a shop as have ordered glasses online with disastrous results.

I

cockaleekee

I don't know the answer, but if you contact the NHSBSA they should be able to advise. Their number is 0191 2790565.

johnsons_baby

Thank you, I will give them a call

Pennywise2012

Boots should issue you with a new voucher (GOS3), as they've found a clinical change in prescription. They should also refund your sight test fee and claim for an NHS one.

It's more likely that they don't want to reglaze your frame because it's not one of theirs, rather than because of any entitlement. Sometimes the frames get damaged during glazing, and it's much easier all round if they use their own.

You could then either use the voucher at Boots for a new pair, or go back to Specsavers, where you could either get new lenses fitted into your existing frame, or a whole new pair. Or go somewhere else! Asda and Tesco are pretty competitive on complete pairs covered by an NHS voucher.

johnsons_baby

Yes they've issued a new voucher and given me a form to claim back my fee (although they weren't sure if I was entitled to do so).

I couldn't get any joy with the NHS number, I rang earlier and was told to call again tomorrow.

I would go to Asda but sadly don't have one locally with an optician, I had good service from them when I was in uni and they wrote my local optician, very competitive on contact lenses!

nedmundo

Pennywise2012 wrote: »

Boots should issue you with a new voucher (GOS3), as they've found a clinical change in prescription. They should also refund your sight test fee and claim for an NHS one.

It's more likely that they don't want to reglaze your frame because it's not one of theirs, rather than because of any entitlement. Sometimes the frames get damaged during glazing, and it's much easier all round if they use their own.

You could then either use the voucher at Boots for a new pair, or go back to Specsavers, where you could either get new lenses fitted into your existing frame, or a whole new pair. Or go somewhere else! Asda and Tesco are pretty competitive on complete pairs covered by an NHS voucher.

This ^^^^^. If you were experiencing symptoms which indicated Ophthalmic investigation (i.e.blurred vision) and your GP requested an eye exam, then it should really have been performed as an NHS exam in the 1st place.

Gentile

You can buy a new pair of glasses online for a tenner these days. Dont bother with spec savers etc.