Emergency opticians appointment cost

shandyclover

For 6 mos I worked as a receptionist in an opticians. We would often get referrals from doctors, a qualified ophthalmologist would examine the patient, GP's sometimes refer them because the ophthalmologist has equipment they don't have at most GP surgery s. Not all opticians are registered on the scheme but you can get a list of who is from your GP. If the ophthalmologist feels it necessary they refer on to a hospital. I don't understand why Boots wants to charge you - the scheme is NHS funded, its called PEARS. This is my local information but you might have to google your local NHS trust and PEARS http://www.shropshireccg.nhs.uk/pears

kirtondm

a few points

1. Funding is sporadic only some areas will fund optometists to deal wtih acute eye conditions.
2. optometrists do not normally have access to NHS prescriptions so even if suitably trained you would need to either have a private prescription or see the GP to convert it.
3. Some eye hospitals will see people directly other via GP/optometrist or A + E
4. Most ulcers are contact lens related and in my opinion it is very poor for the practice that deals with your eyecare not to fit you in as an emergency apologies if not contact lens related.
5. Average GP training on eyes is a few weeks - I would certainly rather have an optometrist deal with me than a GP.

The ideal route is to be seen by the eye department / eye hospital same day either via optometrist or GP othwerise you will gave a long wait in A + E.

teddysmum

When I went to the eye hospital, the registrar asked me to see his consultant as he wasn't sure about something. The consultant cleared me ,subject to getting in touch directly if problems occurred within a time span, but said that the emergency optician service was not fit for purpose because of waiting times , which an emergency service should not attract.


He agreed with my finding that , though some opticians were on the list,they did not provide anything like an urgent appointment, some not even being open on all weekdays.

Sncjw

Go to the eye hospital emergency department my local one allows self drop in if it's serious issue. If not go to a and e you only have one set of eyes. A and e is for life threatening or to prevent any disability and this is to prevent a disability.

Sncjw

I'd rather wait a few hours in a and e than waiting days to see optician

Murphybear

kirtondm wrote: »

a few points

1. Funding is sporadic only some areas will fund optometists to deal wtih acute eye conditions.
2. optometrists do not normally have access to NHS prescriptions so even if suitably trained you would need to either have a private prescription or see the GP to convert it.
3. Some eye hospitals will see people directly other via GP/optometrist or A + E
4. Most ulcers are contact lens related and in my opinion it is very poor for the practice that deals with your eyecare not to fit you in as an emergency apologies if not contact lens related.
5. Average GP training on eyes is a few weeks - I would certainly rather have an optometrist deal with me than a GP.

The ideal route is to be seen by the eye department / eye hospital same day either via optometrist or GP othwerise you will gave a long wait in A + E.

My OH was having eye problems recently. He went to the GP who gave him a letter to take to A & E teaching hospital. We went the same day and had to wait about an hour and a half. He was diagnosed with an ulcer (he doesn't wear contact lenses) and given some medication. He made an appointment for 3 days later and we turned up at A & E at 9.00 am, not a single soul waiting:eek:. He's fine now.

jenniewb

OP can you ask the 111 service or your GP if they are aware of any Optitians which offer a service NHS patients?


When I had a suspect mark on the back of my eye (suspected cancerous-luckily turned out to be not a risk) the optitians I saw (Vision Express) asked me to see my GP. When I saw my GP they asked me to see an optitian and that the optitian I saw could keep an eye on it. When I said I had been seen my Vison Express the GP explained that this was not a company who had any NHS connections (can't remember the exact words she said) but was able to print me out a long list of optitians who were suitable. Funnily enough not a single chain brand was on the list, just local non-chain branded groups.


If you speak to your GP they may be able to give a similar list and this way you can avoid the charges if they are not nessecary. Not all brands and companies are happy to work with the NHS for whatever reason but some are. I hope you get everything sorted, it sounds very worrying and painful.