Any discounts on glasses with Keratoconus?

[annie62]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum - this is my first message.

I have been aware of Keratoconus for the last 3 years and have had no problem with contact lenses and my vision with contact lenses. However, glasses are a different matter. Every 3 months it seems my vision changes, certainly with my right eye - my left eye doesn't have keratoconus yet. The only thing is, I cannot afford to keep having my glass lenses changed every few months as an eye test is over £20 and new lenses are around £40. So, does anyone know if we can get discount at all? I get my glasses from Specsavers and they said they would give me 30% discount initially, but only if I buy a brand new pair of glasses from them, rather than just update the lens, and this wouldn't work out any cheaper.

My current glasses are really weak and I haven't had them changed for nearly a year - because I haven't been able to afford to. Like I mentioned previously, I could have gone about 9 months ago and had them strengthened but it all works out so expensive, especially as I'm paying over £100 for contact lenses too. I go to the opthomotrist at the hospital for my contact lenses but she says its better to go to Specsavers for my glasses.

Finally, after years of struggling with poor eyesight and having to keep going back to various opticians for eye tests and changing of glasses, I was diagnosed with kerataconus about 3 years ago. I'd been going to Specsavers for about 10 years and after years of telling them that my vision was poor and that I couldn't see very well out of my glasses a new lady optician realised I had kerataconus. I couldn't believe that none of the other opticians had diagnosed it after 10 years. Is this normal?

Anyway, hope someone can help.

Thank you.

[Anne Klepacz]

Hi Annie and welcome!
Unfair though it is, I'm afraid there aren't any discounts on glasses through having KC. The only discounts on glasses are if the prescription is high (not sure of the numbers, but something like -12 or higher). It's then a measly £13 discount. Discounts are more generous for those claiming certain benefits, but again are only available on high prescriptions. So do check if you're eligible, though it may not help a great deal.
Anne

[GarethB]

Annie62,

If you use a computer at work more than 30% of the time at work your emplyers should pay for eye tests under the Display Screen Equipment Regulations (See www.hse.gov.uk). I think they then contribute something towards the glasses, I think in the region of upto £50.

The other option is can the hospital do anything for you?

You don't mention if you have been referred to a consultant regarding your KC.

[lars]

Have you heard of any KC special glasses? Somebody told me about aspheric glasses, though I don't know a lot about it.
Does anyone have anythinh to propose??
Thank you

[annie62]

Thanks everyone for your replies, I really appreciate it.

Its nice to talk to you on here so thanks again everyone and will talk soon.

[Andrew MacLean]

annie62

Nothing really to add; just wanted to say 'welcome'.

Andrew