Moorfields Private Eye Exam - ££££

[Kev12564]

Hello all, I normally post elsewhere on this forum, so please let me know if I’m in the wrong place.

As far as I know my eyes are healthy although I am very short sighted (correctable with glasses or contact lenses). I don’t have my prescription to hand, but my contact lenses have a power of -16.00. I had a partially detached retina in 2001 which was successfully operated on. Since then, all OK.

The only eye checks I’ve had since have been at U.K. opticians. They know my eye history and dilate my pupils to check inside.

I recentjy accompanied my elderly mother to the NHS section of Moorfiejds to have a potential retinal tear investigated. False alarm, but I was impressed how thorough the checks were.

It’s obviously a good idea to have such a check myself, but I’d have to pay. The cost is £350 plus £25. It’s not a massive amount when you consider the possible benefits, but are there other hospitals who can offer a similar private eye exam for a bit less?

I’m based halfway between the West Midlands and the South West. No problem heading to London, but there must be other options in, say, Birmingham or Bristol?

Thanks for any tips 😀

[Hidden]

CocoNutWater

Not sure what you are looking for in your eye. I am a patient rep for the eye cancer charity OcuMel UK. We advocate a dilated eye exam every 12 months because eye cancer, ocular melanoma, can be present without any symptoms. It sppears that you are doing the right thing already by getting a dilated exam from your optician.

If you want to take it further then I gather that Bristol has a very competent eye clinic and no doubt you could check their charges for a private consultation. To be absolutely sure about OM there are just 4 specialist units in the UK. Moorfields is one, the next closest to you is Liverpool, St Pauls Eye Research Unit at the Royal Liverpool which is where I continue to be treated.

In addition though, one of the worlds leading ocular oncologists Prof Bertil Damato has set up practice at Oxford University and also works 2 days a week at Moorfields.

No doubt his details will appear on Google if not, I can contact him directly for you.

[Kev12564 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Rennatk. Due to my level of short sight, there will be quite a strain on the retina so I would like to be checked for any holes or small tears. Apparently these are easy to fix with laser treatment but can obviously lead to retinal detachments.

It may be the case that an optician’s check will suffice, but I’d like to get a hospital check so I can compare both types of check. My optician dilates my pupils, which must be standard procedure for people over a certain level of short sightedness.

I was impressed with the NHS Moorfields exam my mother had recently and I sat in on. A friend is also a glaucoma sufferer and is impressed with the thoroughness of Moorfields’ checks.

I’ve booked an appointment at Moorfields for a few weeks’ time. I’ll shop around in the meantime including the Bristol option.

Thanks again, and I’ll send an update.

[Hidden in reply to Kev12564]

You are fortunate in your optician usually, a dilated check has to be asked for. Does he/she take a colour photograph or OCT? Both are becoming more common now. Some might charge but not all.

[Kev12564 in reply to Hidden]

I never really thought about it before, but my wife for example isn’t dilated at the opticians. I’ll ask the criteria next time but I’m certainly not complaining.

I bought some glasses once in an opticians in Germany. They just checked my eyesight to be able to produce a pair of glasses. You’d think Germany would be streets ahead on this, but the NHS and opticians here seem to be doing a good job in comparison.

I don’t know the optician’s procedure. They seem quite thorough, and I always get nervous as it takes so long and think they must have seen something amiss

😀

[Hidden in reply to Kev12564]

If you have a good optician stick with them. I think for most you would have to ask for dilation. It is not covered by the NHS so I expect they would charge. Small thing to pay if it saves a life. Eyecancer is very rare, no more than 6 persons per million worldwide. The cancer itself is cureable usually by a radioactive plaque or by proton beam but any metastases, secondaries, are incurable at present although there are some palliative treatments.

Curiously, unlike cutaneous melanoma it has no correlation to exposure to the sun otherwise, it would be rampant in places like Australia but the percentage there is no different to say the UK.

The two cancers are genetically different.

[Kev12564 in reply to Hidden]

I could be wrong, but I think my eye tests are free at the optician due to my level of shortsightedness. This includes dilation. I go to a branch of Scrivens and never see the same person twice, but they have my notes to refer to.

I just had another quote of £247 for a private eye exam a lot closer to home. That’s a saving of £128. Still a bit pricey, but that sounds about the going rate for an hour of any consultants time.

[2468G in reply to Kev12564]

Hi Coconut water.

Yes your eye tests will be free. When you reach a prescription of -10 in either eye you no longer have to pay for an eye test. My optician gives me a free OCT scan as well.

I have CNV and it was my optician who picked it up and refered me to NHS for an emergency appointment.

My prescription is -11 and -12 and unfortunately has led to more than one diagnosis. We myopics are at risk of most of the problems usually experienced by older people like glaucoma and macular disease and as you mentioned retinal detachment which is a frightening thought. I can understand you wanting to get checked out.

Best wishes to you.

[Kev12564 in reply to 2468G]

Thanks. I had a partial retina detachment in 2001. The technology to repair this condition has certainly moved on since then as has the ability to repair retinal holes and tears.

I think my opticians check is probably sufficient to see any retinal problems, but I’m curious what a £247 private eye exam can do better. I’ll give it a try and ask the consultant that question.

[2468G in reply to Kev12564]

I'm so pleased to hear they can repair holes and tears and detachments and that you are the proof of that. Been a worry of mine since having posterior vitreous detachment 15 years ago.

Myopia is horrible. I'm glad so far you haven't had any of the other issues.

[Kev12564 in reply to 2468G]

I’m not an expert, at least not yet 😃

It’s just I accompanied my elderly mother to an eye check at Moorfields, and the doctor mentioned it was easier now to repair retinal holes and tears. The doc added the procedure was not without risk, though, but it’s certainly easier to get patched up that it was in the past.

Prevention is the key here I guess.

[2468G in reply to Kev12564]

Definately. We have to look after the sight we have and be aware of any changes. I was advised at the time of my PVD to give up vigorous exercise and not to go on rollercoasters. I miss the exercise classes but not too worried about the lack of rollercoaster rides.

[Kev12564 in reply to 2468G]

Were they able to categorise or give examples of vigorous exercise? I do rowing and keep fit with treadmill running and resistance weights (not heavy). I’m not thinking of starting rugby just yet, but it’s important to keep fit cardiovascularly (if that’s a word).

[2468G in reply to Kev12564]

I think mainly they mean contact sports (I wasn't intending on taking up Rugby either). At the time I was an enthusiastic Zumba addict and I was jumping up and down a lot and my consultant at that time advised me to stop. I now do yoga and walking instead as I was so scared of causing detachment. I miss doing Zumba though all these years on.

We definately need to keep fit cardiovascularly (a word I will now use regularily).

[Kev12564 in reply to 2468G]

Yes, wrong forum, but I had a routine heart scan. All was well, but the cardiologist said cardio exercise was “an absolute must - yoga, Pilates, weights, etc. are all OK but do little to maintain heart health”

I have a personal trainer who makes me do jump squat burpees. I could never do these, and now I have an excuse😀

I think treadmill running is fine too

[2468G in reply to Kev12564]

You don't get the good feeling with yoga or Pilates afterwards either . I used to feel great after dancing and leaping around for an hour. I think I will ask the consultant I have now what he thinks about my eye health and exercise such as treadmill running.

I actually have a slight heart issue which is monitored but it has never been a big problem and I am advised to exercise regularily and not be a couch potato.

[Kev12564 in reply to 2468G]

I’m a big yoga and Pilates fan, but I’m bad at both and don’t have the time to do them and cardio, so cardio wins.

I’m surprised that treadmill running is an issue. My max speed is 14Km/h and I don’t do more than 5km. Maybe sprinting or long distances increase the risk. I’ll be asking my £247 eye doctor about this

[2468G in reply to Kev12564]

Ask as many questions as you can think of for your £247.

[Kev12564 in reply to 2468G]

I paid a similar amount for a cardiologist to spend an hour going through my heart scan results and lifestyle changes, cheap at half the price. He was also the one who said cardio is key.

If you’ve any questions, let me know. Might as well get my money’s worth

[Hidden in reply to Kev12564]

That equates to what I paid the dental hygienist yesterday!

[Kev12564 in reply to Hidden]

Good to hear. Must have been very thorough too 😀

[2468G in reply to Kev12564]

That's kind of you CocoNutWater. My main queries are any dangers of exercise on those of us with severe myopia. I'm told the backs of my eyes are very stretched, as I am sure yours will be. I wonder if I am being overly cautious though.

I will be interested to hear how you get on and what you learn from your appointment.

[Kev12564 in reply to 2468G]

Just had the £275 check! Can’t see due to the dilation )all ok) but here goes, typos or not

1. Interesting to talk to the consultant, but the actual checks done in my case (retinal health) could have been done by an optician, and he acknowledged this.

2. Exercise (running, weights) is fine, and as I said good body health is good eye health. Any diabetes or cardio problems are bad for eyes. In my case, exercise is fine.

3. At my age (49), the risk of a retina detachment is low, this surprised me

4. Age related macular degeneration could be a factor to keep an eye on

5. See an optician yearly, independent ones tend to be better than franchises

And that was about it. Nothing to do except keep fit and see a decent optician every year 😛

[2468G in reply to Kev12564]

Hi CocoNutWater

Thanks for sharing your information. Did he say what sort of cardio problems can be a problem for eyes and why? I have a slight problem and take a low dose beta blockers but told to exercise by heart specialist then told by eye consultant not to do contact sports as I said before.

I go to my opticians every 6 months as they class me as a complex case (high myopic, CNV, floaters etc).

Did he recommend you take supplements or a diet high in greens such as Kale for eye health?

Glad you are ok to continue with your exercising. 2468G

[Kev12564 in reply to 2468G]

You’re welcome.

Don’t worry too much. It’s just a case of healthy body healthy eyes. He was making the point that cardio exercise such as running wouldn’t be harmful to the eyes. I guess if someone didn’t exercise at all, their risk of diabetes and high blood pressure would increase and obviously both those are bad for eyes.

Your heart and eye doctors sound correct. You should exercise. My eye consultant wasn’t overly concerned when I mentioned rugby (I was considering playing but got too scared 😀) although that will involve knocks to the head, falling down, etc, which I’d say are not ideal for eyes.

His check was far less thorough than an opticians, so you’re doing right by going often.

Annoyingly I didn’t ask about food or supplements. Has any research been done?

[2468G in reply to Kev12564]

I don't think there is any concrete evidence that supplements help but some of the doctors in my area recommend Macushield which contains something called lutein amongst other ingredients which is supposed to keep the macular healthy. I take them as do several others on this forum. Can't do any harm I guess. I eat a lot of curly kale which is also good for eye health.

I agree with you. Keep up the exercise and if you add a healthy diet in to the mix you are doing all you can. 2468G (UK)

[RosMacularSociety Partner]

Dear CocoNutWater,

The important thing is to keep on having your regular eye tests with the optician (every 1 or 2 years as recommended by them), but also to see them immediately if you observe any changes in your eyes. If they see anything that needs addressing then they can organise a referral for you.

Kind regards,

Macular Society Advice and Information line

0300 3030 111

[Kev12564 in reply to RosMacularSociety]

Thanks

I get my eyes checked at an optician but thought I’d try this (£247) check too

It may be that an optician can do just as good a job. I’ll soon find out.

I’ve noticed some opticians offering OCT scans so I’ll be asking future opticians what tests they can offer. It seems some offer more than others

[Hidden in reply to Kev12564]

My wife uses a local independant optician who for several years has offered free colour photos of the eye and 3yrs ago he bought a £40K OCT machine, he charges a small fee for scans until he has paid for the machine. I am fortunate that I have both of these and more every 4-6 weeks before my anti-VEGF shots.

On the subject of tears and macular holes etc a friend of mine with severe myopia has had these repaired in both eyes with great success although she does suffer from floaters in one eye.

[Kev12564 in reply to Hidden]

I’ve lived in a few other countries, and I have to say U.K. opticians offer a pretty thorough service for not much money.

I mentioned Germany where an optician prescribed glasses for me on the strength of reading an eye chart. There was no check of the actual eye which is incredible with my level of myopia.

I don’t know if any data shows how the U.K. fairs in eye health against other countries, but I’d hope it did well. Saying that, I’d imagine people with perfect eyesight might not ever see an optician so any problems might not be seen early with such people

[Hidden in reply to Kev12564]

I am short sighted and have used opticians here for 64yrs during which I have only had a couple of poor results with my specs and on those occasions it appears to have been manufacturing issues which were remedied quickly.

The consultant I see for a serious other eye condition is German and quite critical of his own country where second opinions for example, are seen as a sign of weakness by the first consultant and they do not like to talk to one another. Here a 2nd opinion is accepted by most docs.

One big reason why OcuMel UK urges annual dilated eye examinations is that usually ocular melanoma has no obvious symptoms. You can be a fighter pilot and be unaware that something nasty, and terminal is lurking until it is too late and the cancer has metastasised.

I had 6/5 vision in the eye when diagnosed and no symptoms such as flashing lights, distortion or pain. I was just fortunate that an alert optician spotted an “irregularity”, that was 41yrs ago!