Eye tests (not retinal screening)

[sleepster]

Hello everyone, hope you're all well

Disclaimer: I did a search but the word 'eye' was not liked by the search function so all the results were for 'tests' Apologies if this has been asked many times already.

Anyway I'm overdue for an eye test, like a normal eye test you have at the opticians, and I'm curious as to how often we're supposed to get our eyes tested, last time I had my retinal screening they told me that the guidance had been changed and every 2 years was sufficient, I think previously it was every year, but the NHS says

"Your ophthalmic practitioner or optometrist may recommend you have an NHS sight test more often than every 2 years if you:

• are a child wearing glasses
• have diabetes
• are aged 40 or over and have a family history of glaucoma
• are aged 70 or over"

(https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/how-often-can-i-have-a-free-nhs-eye-test/)

Is it 2 years unless you're told otherwise by your optician or...?

Thanks!

 

[Rokaab]

My optician now recommends every 2 years for me and he's actually supposedly a very good optician (in fact I saw him in the hospital eye clinic one time I was in a for a scan), but yes it did used to be every year, and yes he mostly certainly does know I'm a T1 diabetic

 

[Mrs T 123]

I have mine yearly because "I have diabetes" I think - in fact I had it just a couple of weeks ago at Specsavers - there were no real changes since last year so I did not need new glasses as prescription was still the same as last year - they also have the OCT scan if you want it for £10 which I had - imo well worth the money as I had my very similar retinopathy scan at the hospital over a year ago and as yet no word of an appointment for this year's from nhs

 

[Jo_the_boat]

Both myself and my wife get annual reminders from Vision Express.
We both get free tests, me diabetes, my wife Glaucoma in the family.
I have been referred on by them to a specialist clinic to investigate some retinal scarring.
In addition I have annual retinal tests in an NHS clinic.

In other words I am in the system.
If you're worried, pester your doctor and maybe contact Vision Express (or another optician)

 

[In Response]

My optician recommends "at least" every 2 years.
This is a normal optician. I do not have to wait for the NHS to invite me, I go to a high street optician, sign a form to say I have diabetes and do not have to pay.
As I work full time and gave a very busy life, I am happy to minimise visits to every two years rather than filling my calendar with an annual test.

 

[HSSS]

I was getting them yearly free with diabetes. The last time I was told it is now 2 yrs despite the diabetes unless they have other reasons for recommending shorter intervals. I suspect it’s down to individual opticians which they do.

 

[jaywak]

I always had a retinol screening at my hospital every year with my annual review, that has now been 46 visits , but after the covid pandemic they told me every two years is all they need unless they find any problems , I had mine checked in June and there wasn't a problem so I guess it will be June 23 I next go .

 

[sleepster]

Thanks everyone
It's about 3 years since I went to the opticians so I'm rather overdue either way!

@Mrs T 123 thank you for the OCT info, I haven't had my retinal screening done this year so I will get that done, my local opticians charge £30 for it though

 

[Andydragon]

It has changed to every 2 years unless advised by optician. You can of course go yearly and just have to pay for one as it says

It wasn't particularly well advertised as I thought it was still every year last time I went. Personally I pay if I need to, eye health is too important not to

 

[lessci]

I understood the annual test at the opticians was for the Glaucoma and field of vision tests, which I've never had done at the retinal screening. I also have an (unrelated) weak retina in my left eye, so my optician likes to keep an eye (haha) on it

 

[JohnEGreen]

I get a 12 monthly reminder from Specsavers and had an appointment for eye test a few weeks ago which I kept. Now I am waiting for an appointment at the eye hospital to sort out bilateral cataracts as optition gave me letter for my GP to request referal I had no idea that I had cataracts until that point in time.

 

[TeddyTottie]

Hah, I sometimes go more often than every 2 years, if I feel my middle-aged eyesight is going downhill outside of the mandated schedule. Even then my optician asks me accusingly why am I coming back so soon. And I am paying!

 

[coby]

I used to have six monthly checks when living at my former area but it's 12 monthly here. But I do have glaucoma as well as Type 2 so perhaps this is why it's every year?

 

[Andydragon]

I used to have six monthly checks when living at my former area but it's 12 monthly here. But I do have glaucoma as well as Type 2 so perhaps this is why it's every year?

That's quite likely. The 2 year change is standard, but opticians can suggest more frequently

 

[sleepster]

I get a 12 monthly reminder from Specsavers and had an appointment for eye test a few weeks ago which I kept. Now I am waiting for an appointment at the eye hospital to sort out bilateral cataracts as optition gave me letter for my GP to request referal I had no idea that I had cataracts until that point in time.

It's a good job you went then Hope you get sorted out soon.

 

[sleepster]

Thanks everyone. I can't remember if they told me last time when to come back, but I'm guessing it was in 2 years, I will pay more attention next time

 

[Mrs T 123]

Thanks everyone
It's about 3 years since I went to the opticians so I'm rather overdue either way!

@Mrs T 123 thank you for the OCT info, I haven't had my retinal screening done this year so I will get that done, my local opticians charge £30 for it though

£30 that's expensive - £10 at Specsavers is a bargain!