• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Eye test tomorrow - quick questions!

T

The Governor

Well-Known Member
Messages
134
Location
UK
Hi all,

Going to get my eyes looked at for the first time, I'm told that the eye test should be free, but when I mentioned this to the optician they just said "we don't charge for the diabetic bit anyway".

I thought the whole test should be free? If it is supposed to be FOC, is there a form or something that needs filling in?

Also, they said that sometimes they use drops and sometimes they don't. Can anyone tell me what the drops are like? I was thinking about driving in and then if I had the drops, wandering around town until my eyes recovered, is that feasible or will I be out of action for a long time eye-sight wise?

Ta for any tips :)
 
Hello Governor,

The eye drops usually give me grief for several hours afterwards. It's probably better to
get somebody else to drive you back rather than rely on the drops wearing off.

Regards,
timo.
 
Thanks guys, don't worry I'm still here Eddie, just not a frequent poster :D


I'll get the ferry over then and me and the mrs can go for a stroll around town, I'm assuming I will actually be abel to see well enough to wander around town?
 
I couldn't focus well enough to sign a prescription form an hour after the eyedrops had been used, eyesight gradually got better over the next hour.

We are, apparently, entitled to one eye test per year on the NHS without having to pay for it, my optician just checked a little box on her PC, no form to fill in.

Regards, Tubs.
 
Take a pair of sunglasses with you and wear them until your eyesight returns to normal. I've only had problems reading after the drops have been administered, otherwise the effects aren't too noticeable. Oh, and it's completely painless, so don't worry.

As for charges, I've never had to pay a penny for the test, (I use Boots), and you shouldn't have to, either.
 
They may do things differently where you are but here you get one free normal NHS eye test per year at any optician. The diabetic retinal scan is done seperately every year. This is done at the the local diabetic clinic attached to the hospital.

For the free opticians exam they just tick on the form you are diabetic and put down the name and address of your GP.
 
Well, had it done, no eye drops required. The optician was good as gold, took a good amount of time to talk and listen.

He said I have fairly large pupils so shouldn't need drops and to make sure I tell the NHS mobile mob when I see them as apparently they always want to put drops in...

The important thing though, I was given the all clear, no signs of retinopathy and I'd had the odd flashing light in the left of my vision but no sign of retinal problems at all, so it's probably some vitreuous fluid dislodged which is normal.

I'd been fretting a little bit so it's a weight off my mind. Phew!
 
Nice one, Gov.

To SweetGuy. Some opticians, mostly the big boys, are able to provide all the tests you need during one visit. Your diabetes team should have a list available. One appointment's better than two, (unless you enjoy hanging around in hospitals.)
 
Cheers all, I must confess I've got a thing about my sight, and as Eddie says I have Kerataconus as well, so Diabetes just adds another set of risks for my eyes that I could do without!

Just on the number fo tests, the optician I saw today said I should still get them looked at via the NHS team as they will file my results with the hospital, which I imagine might be important for later complications as a reference...
 
The Governor said:
Well, had it done, no eye drops required. The optician was good as gold, took a good amount of time to talk and listen.

He said I have fairly large pupils so shouldn't need drops and to make sure I tell the NHS mobile mob when I see them as apparently they always want to put drops in...

The important thing though, I was given the all clear, no signs of retinopathy and I'd had the odd flashing light in the left of my vision but no sign of retinal problems at all, so it's probably some vitreuous fluid dislodged which is normal.

I'd been fretting a little bit so it's a weight off my mind. Phew!
Click to expand...

That's good news!

Yes I go to our local optician, he trained alongside many of the opthalmologists and is clueful enough to identify when someone needs to be referred. He uses a digital camera with a humungously bright flash which obviates the need for the dilating drops, and can see immediately if the picture is not good enough and needs repeating. He will only use the drops if it's impossible to get a clear image without them.
 
Back
Top