I have recently gone private due to lack of confidence in NHS eye clinic. This sadly has proved correct following an optic nerve scan showed considerable loss of vision and that I need urgent operations. The consultant asked me whether I had a scan in nhs clinic I said maybe when I had cataracts op in 2015 he shook his head in disbelief as this would have shown the damage to nerves and not solely relying on field test. My pressure has risen recently and now am waiting to see a private specialist who specialises in glaucoma surgery but due August holiday month have had to wait a month to see him which will be next week to see which op I need. I have private health insurance but they refuse to pay for any eye ops especially presiflo. So I am now having to fund the ops I will need. The NHS wait would be too long & would only offer Presiflo. Obviously being in shock to hear about the vision I have lost I want to go for the best option to keep what sight I have left . Has anyone had this problem with private health ? I realise reading chats that many NHS eye clinics are not able to give the care that glaucoma patients need in being seen regularly . I waited nearly 3 hours to see the NHS doctor who only had a few mins to see me & then told me I had not done a field test that afternoon I said I had she said are you sure because she did not have the results on her screen I said I may be old 72 but not stupid ! she then asked a nurse who said I had done one but results were not on her screen . I appreciate too many patients not enough doctors but a bit kindness does not go amiss!
NHS waiting time: I have recently gone private... - Glaucoma UK
NHS waiting time
there’s definitely a need for a radical re-think of how glaucoma services are delivered in the NHS. They have limited resources, true, but with new technology and ability to crunch huge amounts of data these could be used more effectively. My optician told me a while ago that they were going to be involved in a community-based service, then the whole idea was dropped. Glaucoma UK needs to do a report on best practice in UK and internationally.
Wow that's quite shocking to hear.
After I first attended the eye clinic here, in the early 2000s, I lost vision mainly due to hospital clinics merging, resulting in huge backlogs. I'd been diagnosed with a uveitis disease but, initially, not the glaucoma which came secondary to it.
Since then, I have to say, it's so much better here. There's a big eye clinic in one hospital, a glaucoma clinic within another and I had my last cataract op at a third.
But, apart from that, I've had scans at my local optometrist. Do you see one regularly as they would pick up any issues?
Thank you for your reply interesting to hear your experiences. I am glad you are now being treated better. The scan I had is only done at hosp eye clinics as far as I know .
we’re do you find private clinics that do glaucoma.
I found a specialist local to me following a recommendation from this group. If you google Circle Health group you can see where their nearest specialist is to you. Hope this helps.
The specialist in glaucoma operations I am going to see privately is with Spire Health Group and Circle Health group have specialists as well.
I had my glaucoma referred by opticians many years ago. Had drops, cataract, Trab op all at my local hospital. Many appts all at same hospital. No problem. My Trab operation was done at the private Spire hospital by the NHS doctor under NHS as she covers both. The normal appt takes up to 4 hours with the different sections of procedures and tests. When you see your doctor under private hospital see if they do NHS as well might save you some money. You will have to pay for consultation but maybe if op is needed not that section as could be referred via NHS.
Thank you so much for that info on NHS option at Spire hospital as my appointment is today so I will definitely ask. I am glad you were dealt with well through your varies treatments . I think I will have to have a Trab op with the diagnosis of my now advanced glaucoma. Thanks again
Hi before the pandemic my eye clinic appointment were just routine they consist of a field test, pressures test no scans and sometimes they were delayed. During in that time I never saw a consultant unless something was flagged up, which lucky for me it didn't, after the pandemic the clinic changed I got pressures checked, scans and to see a consultant all the time. So I have nothing but praise for my local eye clinic, I have one cataract removed in October last year and after that my problems started with my left, the pressures were slowly creeping up which was noted by my local eye clinic the specialist I saw there was not a consultant she was a Dr who specialise in gluacoma and boy she was great, she given me advice about my diet and what to eat to help keep my pressures down, she recommended bananas, citrus fruit, and she also given me a new prescription with eye tablets, and I have regular check ups with her and was referred straight away to see a consultant in another eye clinic 40 miles away and said I would need my other cataract removed and gluacoma operation, I say 40 miles away because my local eye clinic doesn't carry out gluacoma operation only straight forward cataract surgery. Anyway I got to see an Opthalmologist in Hereford hospital eye clinic and they were great there to, so I have my glaucoma operation in June and he removed my cataract as well, a long recovery 8 weeks lots of drops, and great staff, the only problem was the journeys of 80 miles round trips to see them. Anyway pressures down to 12 now and stable, discharged back to my local eye clinic. So as say cannot praise them a enough on both sides of the border of Wales and England.
Good to hear you have had good treatment albeit with lots of travelling . It does seem to be a postcode lottery as to how different eye clinics perform sadly . Also difficult re travel as I am seeing consultant today who is 54 miles away when you have to be driven .
Unfortunately my travel has nothing to do with postcode lottery mine is to do with way I live. They do not carry out gluacoma operation where I live, because it is a very small hospital they do carry out ordinary cataract surgery where I live. I also have travel over 56 miles away to Gobowen hospital around trip of a 110 about for other medical issues.
I think the replies show that a major problem is the complete unevenness of provision across the country.
You refer to the Preserflo operation. I too ended up paying to have this done. Why do some Trusts refuse to pay for it? Is this another issue for Glaucoma UK to take up?
Thank you for your reply I agree with your comments on provision . I probably will be offered a trab op as opposed to preserflo given my advanced glaucoma . The NHS clinic would only offer Preserflo another reason I needed to seek second opinion to know the best type of op for my glaucoma . Yes I agree Glaucoma UK need to take up the issues raised in these forums re NHS.
Specsavers do an OCT scan for £10 with a routine eye test.
I started to loose my vision in my right eye last Tuesday, went to GP who advised go to A&E in Birmingham which I did, 4 hr wait and was seen and tests done, they said go to meye A&E at city hospital so got a taxi and went. Had to wait 6.5 hrs and was seen at 8pm for about 3 mins and told PVD nothing can do will have to live with it...As I'm only 57 and have had previous cancer I was relieved!...... Decided to go to Specsavers for eye test and was told that 95% sure this is Cancer, Ocular melanoma, showed me scans etc and was brilliant..... didn't even charge me!!.. referred me consultant at the QE and have appointment today.......bit of hectic few days but hopefully find out more today.....I can't praise Specsavers enough
Thank you for your reply . I am shocked you had to get a proper diagnosis from Specsavers and with this diagnosis I wish all the very best and hope the NHS now treat you well. Good luck
Hi All. I can see from the posts that there are couple of things that are concerning for you all. I will try to explain why and how in the background, we are involved in trying to do something.
Preserflo is likely to be available and a suggestion, if your eye specialist thinks it's something that will work at reducing your eye pressure, for the type of glaucoma you have and the amount your pressure needs to be lowered, for a positive outcome. Not everyone, would benefit from having a Preserflo.
Eye specialists don't all think alike. They work on robust research findings and their own experience and what works well for their patients. It may be that Preserflo in their experience doesn't work so well as other glaucoma operations. Whereas another may think that it is best for their patient. There isn't a right or wrong. Be reassured that they want the best possible outcome for you.
We are all aware that there are appointment delays nationwide, with the eye clinics being one of the worst. Community clinics are popping up, along with virtual clinics, to try to reduce the waiting times, people are being seen. Using Optometrists is an idea and one that involves further training and organising, so don't give up, there is plenty going on in the background to improve things. We are currently working with other charities, including eye charities and organisations on the best way to improve waiting times, for the care and treatments of glaucoma.
Your views are always taken into account and help when putting our case forward. The helpline conversations are also very helpful. No one is better at knowing first hand what problems and issues surround having glaucoma, than yourselves. We thank you for keeping us updated and will continue to support you in every way we can.
Thank you for this reply. Could you do something like putting a poll up with eye appt was a) on time or within six weeks of due date b) six weeks c) six weeks to three months d) more than 3 months e) more than a year. It would obviously not be scientific but it would be a useful pointer to start thinking about this - maybe then move onto a random survey of members. It would be really useful to know whether Glaucoma UK will express an opinion on NHS 'reforms' given the way that some ophthalmologists are criticising the prioritisation of cataract surgery outside of the NHS with general ophthalmic departments suffering from losing this income stream.
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