Query opticans

Vegastare

My eye tests are free of charge and I am not happy with treatment suggested  - this was in last 2 months  - was told I must return to the optican if I had any concerns, at the moment my eyes look bruised like I have ben punched in eye socket and struggling with pain and discomfort. They have really become much worse in last few weeks.  .
I have  weeks to wait to see my old optican as  must see one I last saw and no other optican in store !!!.  Can I see another independant optican somewhere else.

Undervalued

Vegastare said:

My eye tests are free of charge and I am not happy with treatment suggested  - this was in last 2 months  - was told I must return to the optican if I had any concerns, at the moment my eyes look bruised like I have ben punched in eye socket and struggling with pain and discomfort. They have really become much worse in last few weeks.  .
I have  weeks to wait to see my old optican as  must see one I last saw and no other optican in store !!!.  Can I see another independant optican somewhere else.

Probably only if you pay.
Round here, although it varies in different areas, there is what is called a "minor eye condition service" run by specially trained opticians on behalf of the NHS. Or, there may be a walk in minor eye problem service at the local hospital. Both would be free of charge. You could also see you GP. although generally they can do little with eyes other than refer as they don't have the equipment.

Before the minor service started a GP said to me that she only had two options with eye referrals - 3 hours or 3 months! Some eye conditions need very urgent treatment if it is to successful. Other issues can look awful but are fairly harmless.

To be honest, if you are seriously worried about an eye issue, I would either pay to get it seen (regardless of the rights and wrongs of that) or go to A&E if there is no other option.

Vegastare

The minor eye condition service you mention....how much roughly is the cost of this at a participating options and also if in my area. 
I am beginning to feel that if I need to pay I will......but my partner says I should go into the opticans point to my gothic themed eyes and ask them to comment!!  Maybe good advice but I am not too forthright sadly.
 Thank you

Undervalued

Vegastare said:

The minor eye condition service you mention....how much roughly is the cost of this at a participating options and also if in my area. 
I am beginning to feel that if I need to pay I will......but my partner says I should go into the opticans point to my gothic themed eyes and ask them to comment!!  Maybe good advice but I am not too forthright sadly.
 Thank you

It is an NHS service so free. However you need to be referred by an optician or your GP.

pmduk

Undervalued said:

It is an NHS service so free. However you need to be referred by an optician or your GP.

I've used it , but not had to pay, however I've have diabetes and glaucoma, so do not have to pay for opticians' visits anyway, perhaps that makes a difference.

Manxman_in_exile

Just go to your GP.  If appropriate they'll give you an immediate referral to your local NHS hospital's Eye Casualty (or Emergency) Dept and you'll probably be seen on the same day.

You don't say why you qualify for free eye tests.  If you have any concerns about your eye health (as opposed to vision problems) I wouldn't be messing about waiting to see an optician - I'd be off to my GP for an emergency referral to the eye clinic.  Your GP and the rest of the NHS take eye health really seriously because they can't be replaced - don't be worried about wasting their time - they'd rather see you with a false alarm rather than after it's too late to save an eye.

I suffer from episodes of quite a serious eye condition and am a frequent visitor to my local Eye Casualty.  Use them!