Free NHS eye test for GCA patients?

[AliDeJ]

Hello, please can anyone advise me whether a diagnosis of GCA entitles us to a free NHS eye-test? I normally have to pay.

Thank you

AliDeJ

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Can't give you a definitive answer - I was already getting free tests when I developed GCA, but I did, and still have, annual free tests - whereas it should only be every 2 years.

Check with your local optician, or look at NHS guidelines. I think it does sometimes depends on optician's discretion. There was a question a little while ago on same subject and Specsavers don't do it free!

[Retailmonkey in reply to DorsetLady]

I think it depends on the Specsaver since they are a franchise and therefore independent. Mine moved me to free annual tests when my GCA was diagnosed

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Retailmonkey]

That's good. But as you see from other replies, inconsistent!

Personally I think it should be free for GCA, but then I would!

[Retailmonkey in reply to DorsetLady]

You are right and know much better than virtually all of us what happens if things aren't monitored or dealt with quickly. Still too little general knowledge of GCA and it's implications and, although I cannot fully appreciate the loss of sight in an eye, the bells palsy i have been experiencing and the impact that has had on my vision (blurred most of the time from the lubricant my eye needs as i cannot blink yet) and having to tape it closed at night (when I can fully appreciate only using one eye) has given me a better appreciation of the need for speedy initial action to be available and then the sort of monitoring that should be available via the NHS to enable GCA sufferers to be monitored however frequently they need to be

[lesley2015]

I don't believe do - used spec savers with gca and paid.

[jinasc]

When first diagnosed with GCA, I used Spec Savers and they then arranged free eye test every six months. Now that was 10 years ago and things might have changed.......just like the NHS has gone downhill in the past few years.

nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcos...

Look at the 'Tips' bottom of the first page, highlighted in green and also the last box and ask the question.

[AliDeJ]

Thanks everyone. Just a bit worried now that I might incur a fine!

[Rose54]

Hi

Optician will be able to tell you if you are exempt from fee

As far as I know GCA alone does not count

But if you have diabetes or over 60 you will be exempt

[cornishjan]

Pred can cause glaucoma and if you are over 40 and at risk of that you can get a free eye test. I always had them because my mother had glaucoma but you could try mentioning Pred and its side effects and see if they go with that.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to cornishjan]

Pred doesn't actually cause glaucoma - it can cause raised eye pressures but that isn't quite the same as there are 2 other components involved in the diagnosis. But if pressures are raised they should then be monitored and treated if they get too high.

But we should all have eye pressures checked annually and at one time it was free for patients on long term pred. Then the funding was pulled (where have I heard that before!). But over 60s still get free checks every 2 years I believe - I don't know what the situation in the UK is now, I have to get a hospital appointment with an eye specialist, opticians here only sell specs, nothing else.

But the cost of an eye check is not high - and they can identify a lot of potential problems in one.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Still 2 years apart, unless you have diabetes, glaucoma or some other illness that can affect sight.

I get mine annually, for obvious reason, but if it wasn't free, I'd pay for the interim years.

As you say, likely to change, especially with the retirement age timebomb that seems to be occurring.

[AliDeJ]

Thank you.

[Roy46]

Being 70 I have free eye tests every couple of years. But my optician (Boots Opticians) said that if my GP said I needed one more frequently because of GCA there would be no problem. That's proved to be the case so far.