Eye tests

[Steven Williams]

Hiya Donna,

Pity theres no KC self help group formed in Cumbria/Lancashire!

Most of the private sector would not touch KC treatment due to the high risk and it not being economically viable. The amount of consultation time needed in some cases to get a successful fit!

Paying for it privately would cost a fortune, if you are working and above the income means test threshold!

Not sure what happens in the private sector when you pay for the lenses and they are not a good fit/unwearable?

These links here may be useful:-

http://www.keratoconus-group.org.uk/for ... php?t=2622

http://www.keratoconus-group.org.uk/optoms/

Based on my experience I think Gareth B's
advice is good advice.

You are likely to have a long wait for an NHS appointment at an NHS eye hospital though!

[John Smith]

Steven,

Thanks for your links to the new list - you're partially correct - most private "High Street" opticians will happily see a KC patient, but not many of them have the resources to spare that we would need.

In particular, the "big names" in the optician's world are more constrained with time than the smaller practices tend to be. Hence the absence of large numbers of "big names" on the list.

In terms of payment, your rights apply as if you were buying anything else. If the lens is not "fit for purpose" then it can be returned for a full refund. The sale of goods acts are our friends here.

Having said that, I've never had such a problem, and all of the optoms I've seen privately have certainly taken all the time in the world to ensure that I have a well-fitting lens.

[donna]

I will go to see my old optician and see if she now thinks its time for contacts, she can then refer me to the hospital. In the meantime I will try and find a optician that can cope with KC and try thick soft lenses while I am waiting.
I agree its a shame there is no support group up here........maybe we should start one?

[GarethB]

NHS waiting to get to the hospital is variable but once in the system it often gets better.

I only had to wait a month from refferal, in other areas I know it can be three to six months.

[Steven Williams]

Hi Donna,

I agree its a shame there is no support group up here........maybe we should start one?

I would support, help out and attend meetings for a Lancashire/Cumbria group if you or someone else in the area is interested in organising/arranging monthly/quarterly group meetings.

Your welcome to contact me! just dont know how as I'm using my sons PC as mine is out of action at present (so no e mail access!).

I dont wish to publicly display my telephone number on a forum! If your OK with doing that I'd be happy to ring you on a landline telephone number and discuss this further and help if I can.

I cant pm you because the powers that be here have denied me that privilege, If you send me your contact details by pm I dont think I could access that either!

Incidently the reason they banned me is because I started a thread in the chit chat section titled "Was 911 an inside job" and was providing "anti state propoganda"

[GarethB]

There was an attempt to set up a Manchester group, but I think the lady doing so has not been I the best of health so was unable to continue.

So far no one else has been prepared to take up the baton so to speak.