NHS Somerset C.C.G have said they will not prescribe eye lubricants on prescription

[muddledme]

Recently I have had difficulty obtaining my regular eye lubrication from the pharmacy and last week the G.P surgery told me that I would have to buy my own eye medication.

I was given a leaflet explaining that the Somerset CCG considers these lubricating drops of limited clinical value and for minor or self limiting conditions.

I informed the GP surgery that I had been advised to use these drops frequently by the consultant opthalmologist after developing dry eyes following two shunt implants about 2 years ago. Sadly I realise that the dry eye symptoms are not self limiting and certainly not minor . Without the drops I am not safe to drive as my vision is blurred and distorted, also it feels like grit in the eyes and apparently the cornea is at risk if the dryness continues.

The GP said they would enquire about this and also the opthalmologist's secretary would ask the medics. Meanwhile I thought I should warn anyone who may receive similar treatment or is this reserved for Somerset ??

The eye lubrication is the only medication I get from the GP, I try very hard to be a healthy 74 yr old, but I suppose if I smoked and became obese or alcoholic then I would get all the necessary medications free. Why should anyone have to pay for Gaucoma meds ? Many other chronic diseases like Thyroid disease and Diabetes get free treatment at any age.

Perhaps we should campaign for this ?

[Eahldt]

At the moment I can still get eye lubricant for dry eye on the NHS. I’m not generally aware of having the condition but last time I saw the consultant he said I definitely do and should be using the drops more frequently. On the basis that they can be used up to six times a day the small bottle I get on my NHS prescription doesn’t last very long. So far I’ve not been limited in requesting these unlike my other eye drops where my GP practice sets a time limit on ordering. At the moment, when I point out that this doesn’t fit in with the regime prescribed by my consultant, a prescription is issued without further questions. It’s worrying though and seems like another example of a postcode lottery.

[muddledme in reply to Eahldt]

Hello Eahldt,

Yes, I agree it is a post code lottery, glad to hear you do get your eye lubricant. I will post on here whatever the outcome, meanwhile keeping my fingers crossed !

[Hidden]

This just reminds me of something which I am going through now (only different) and I apologise for sounding a bit DOUBLE DUTCH - I am totally unable to put drops in my own eyes and I have it down in a written letter that a DISTRICT NURSE should be sent to do this for me and the GP has refused this request which was made by 2 opthalmologists so the drops go in if there is someone capable of putting them in. I have an excellent letter drafted out to send to the Practice Manager but I am reluctant to send it - so if needs must I shall contact PALS whoc once sorted out another problem for me which is totally unrelated to EYES - and we should not be treat like doormats. I hope this helps.

[muddledme in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to hear you do not get the district nurse on a regular basis. Sadly there are so few nurses in the NHS now.

Have you tried the various dropper aids ? Glaucoma UK can tell you about so many different types available, some for most types of drops.

The Eye liason officer at most hospital opthalmic departments can also be very helpful.

Best wishes

[Hidden in reply to muddledme]

I will buy a dropper and see if it is of any help - I have had some in today as the lady who does my heavy grocery shopping has been but it would be nice to be able to do it myself and not have to rely on other people. Thank you for taking the time to reply.

[PBX142]

I use two kinds of Cellluvisc eye lubricants - one quite viscousy for night time use and a more watery one. A box of 28 or 30 phials - and if you're careful, there are two or three applications in each - costs about £10. You can order them and they're quite widely available. I've managed to get one of the Celluvisc types on prescription from the GP because Moorfields prescribed it, but I pay for the other. I do find you have to push sometimes to get results!

[muddledme in reply to PBX142]

Hello PBX142

Interesting to hear about your eye drops and the fact that when the hospital prescribed lubricants you then managed to obtain them from the GP.

Useful to know about the Celluvisc, thank you.

Yes, I will also keep pushing for some common sense !

[PBX142 in reply to muddledme]

To be honest it is probably the case that the GP who signed off on the Celluvisc just saw it as a glaucoma drop that Moorfields prescribed! Maybe if he or she had known what it was, they would have refused. I wouldn't say it's so much a postcode lottery as a lottery, full stop!

[Beecalmed]

Morning Muddledme!

Really sorry to hear this approach to free prescriptions for eye lubricants from Somerset NHS! Not least because as you know I’m also a Somerset NHS patient. ☹️ I pay for my lubricant drops. They’ve never been offered free but I’m not a daily user so I’ve not complained. I pay hundreds on eyedrops a year as I’m still under 60. I have an NHS payment card that discounts the eye drops prescription but it still costs me something like £110 a year with lubricants on top with a new bottle every 3 months.

I’m sure Somerset NHS are just looking for areas to make cost efficiencies but it seems counter productive to me to not fund lubricants when the results of not using them could end up costing the NHS more money in treating deteriorating eye surface conditions in the future.

But it is also just not recognising the daily discomfort to the Glaucoma patient and the mental and emotional stress that painful dry eyes puts patients through on top of their glaucoma symptoms and/or sight loss.

I agree Glaucoma patients seem like the poor relations in the NHS sometimes. Amazing considering the numbers of people that will get a glaucoma diagnosis and that it’s a growing problem with a growing aging population.

I read recently that certain drugs (that are free) for diabetes have been found to prevent glaucoma! connecticuteyesurgerycenter...

So ironically, if you know you’re genetically predisposed to a risk of glaucoma you might fair better if you have type 2 diabetes and are being treated with free drugs for your diabetes, which could then also prevent you getting glaucoma in the first place? 🤔 I wouldn’t recommend anyone getting diabetes to follow this route, clearly! 😂

But like you I feel that we’re not being rewarded for trying to live a healthy, responsible lifestyle and sometimes it feels like you’re being penalised for it. And with Glaucoma and the lack of free prescriptions it can feel like you’re being punished for an illness that is mostly genetic, is unavoidable and frankly just isn’t your fault. ☹️

[muddledme in reply to Beecalmed]

Hello Beecalmed,

Thank you, a very interesting article about the diabetic drug, perhaps this may be useful in the future.Thought you would agree this PUNISHMENT for glaucoma patients is a farce.

I phoned an NHS services helpline yesterday and she said she had not heard of denying prescriptions to over 60's !

If I do not have a response from the GP and Opthalmologst then I will try the media again. So many chronic conditions get free prescriptions at any age so I will also include this injustice .

[Flowergirl24]

My consultants prescribed Hylo Forte and Clinitas for my dry eyes with instructions to my GP to continue to supply them for me. Try it this way.

[muddledme in reply to Flowergirl24]

Hello Flowergirl24

Yes, thank you, that is exactly what my consultant and GP have done for over a year, sadly the CCG now seem to have decided I have a "Minor and self limiting condition" so no more prescriptions.

Very useful to know that so many people still get their treatment.

[Machicado]

I had a Preserflo shunt in my right eye a month ago. (I have glaucoma in both eyes and both eyes get dry but especially the eye which has the shunt. My consultant said I should use Hylo Forte regularly throughout the day and would probably always need to do so. He asked the GP to prescribe it and so far that has happened without arguments. Fingers crossed. I am in the East Midlands.

[muddledme in reply to Machicado]

Hello Machicado,

Good to hear that the East Midlands still prescribe your medication, hopefully this knowledge will all help my battle with Somerset CCG if needed.

Hope your Preserflo works well , mine seem to be fine after 2 and a half and two years post op.

[Turtle007]

Not allowed in N E Essex either

[Quiet_Lin]

For what it is worth, Amazon do a triple pack for £29.74 free delivery. And single bottles can be got on Ebay for about £10.00. I haven't looked at the online pharmacies, but a search on Google might find something cheaper. Best of luck everyone.