UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

12 Months ago I was prescribed contact lenses and glasses privately..(and at siginifcant cost..)

I've had reminders about a new prescription, but my circumstances have changed and I can't afford to go that way again..

Not sure where to start...I'm loathed to walk into a high street optician because of the cost factor again, and I've been warned I need specialist help.

Any tips / reccommendations?

Thanks..

hello Mikecarterinlondon, (May I call you mike for short)

My own story is not vastly dissimilar. In my case it was further compounded by my habit of loosing and even breaking lenses on an irregular but not infrequent basis.

In the end my optician suggested that , since my eyes were too difficult for him to manage and it was getting very expessive, I went to my GP and got a referal to the Eye Hospital. This process took months and was somewhat fustrating, but once I got into the system things have improved hugely.

I am based in Manchester but the London experience might be quicker. I am told that life in London is lived at a much faster pace than we Northerners could concieve of So, anyway, That would be the route I would recommend - Speak to your GP.

Brigid

Thank you brigid,

oh yes - have lost many myself...dread to think how much opticians have made out of me over the years..

My eyesight isn't chronic, yet. but you think I can get referred to - what - an eye clinic? hospital? I'm not sure the pace of life thing applies to the good old NHS so I guess I'll need to be patient

Mike

Mike

I guess you live in London! There ought to be hospitals in London with contact lens clinics integral to their opthalmology service.

If you see an ophthalmologist in connection with your KC, you could ask about a referral to their lens clinic.

If you do not, ask your GP about an ophthalmological referral, and take it from there.

Otherwise, I think that there is a voucher shceme that operates with high street opticians, but I am afraid that I am not the one to give advice about that.

All the best

Andrew

Most English hospitals need you to go through your GP for a referal if you are not under the care of a private opthalmologist.

The optomotrist can not do a referla direct but would have to send a letter to your GP which then gets the referal to the hospital.

That's what happend to me. I am sure your current optomotrist will do that for you and if they are understanding there should be no fee involved.

Thanks all - I'll make an appointment with my gp..

Mike

There is a place where there is a scheme in place for £15 a month and then you pay for the lenses at a little under retail

This is for KC patients and is what I use. Basically I dont pay for there time on fitting, checkups, refitting, etc...as thats what the £15 a month covers....all I pay for is the lenses. However, many of the lens manufacturers allow free lens alterations within the first 6 months...so you end up paying very little....

I have been on this now for some 3 years....and it had saved me an arm and a leg.....

If the GP>NHS route takes a while and you want to purse the above in the meantime PM me and Ill giev you the details

Jay

Mike welcome.

I should imagine your GP will refer you to Moorfields Eye Hospital.

I have been going there many years and have been looked after well

Not necessarily - there are eye casualty units all over the place (well, there are a few of them....) and your GP may refer you to a local one if your KC isn't too bad.

hi mike
welcome to the forum
its good news that you consider your KC not too bad, but non the less the advice given so far is good. even though you consider yourself as not too bad , i would suggest that now is the perfect time to see your gp and request a referral to a KC clinic. it may take a little time, but hopefully you have time and when your in the system , stay in it, even if you just go there for your periodic checkups, its better to get in the system now before it becomes crucial to you and possibly inevitable
regarding funding isnt there various plans available? one that springs to mind is HSA,
and dont they cover things like dental work as well as opthalmic for varying levels of premium. just a thought
mike