Eye Tests

[slipper]

I have had my retinopathy eye tests and wondered if I am supposed to get a normal eye test to check for the other problems, Glaucoma etc, however I dont want any new glasses.

 

[Phil65]

I have had my retinopathy eye tests and wondered if I am supposed to get a normal eye test to check for the other problems, Glaucoma etc, however I dont want any new glasses.

I always get my eyes checked every year as well as retinopathy screening.........why do you not want new glasses? I suppose that they can't 'make' you buy new glasses if you don't want to.....but if you are advised to I would buy new ones.

 

[slipper]

Thanks Phil, I use an expensive local opticians, and they assume that you need glasses each time, but my eyes change little. I do accept however, that may not be the case this time, lower BG etc.

Just asking to see if its the norm., to get a test only.

 

[Copepod]

Even if optician says you need a new prescription for glasses, they must give you a prescription to take away, so you can get it made up elsewhere - or not get made up, if you choose. However, if you drive, you must ensure that your prescription is up to date and that you use precribed glasses when driving. So, there's no way an opticican can force you to buy new glasses from them - and if they try, then you should report them to General Optical Council (in UK) - see http://www.optical.org/

The other aspects of an annual eye check are also important eg "air puff" test for glaucoma, so it's important to get all checks, not just retinopathy photos.

 

[margie]

You could consider having a check with an optician midway between screening checks. That way if anything does start to go wrong you have a better chance of it being picked up early. Many opticians will do a visual check of your eyes and will offer photos, they also offer field vision tests as well and as copepod said they will check the pressure in your eyes.

 

[slipper]

Thanks everyone, it would be a good time next month or so to get a test then, that would put me mid way between other tests.

 

[PhilT]

Diabetics should have an eye test every year as opposed to the usual 2 years for non diabetics. This is because diabetes can cause your sight to change more frequently than a non diabetic, particularily if your BG's are on the high side.