Pre-diabetes & Free Eye Test

[Synapse321]

Hi Everyone

I have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes and think my vision has been effected

because it gets blurred occasionally.

Would I be able to get a free NHS eye sight check now or only when I or If I get

full blown diabetes?

Regards

 

[Billy Bob]

Not sure, but surely if you are worried about your sight then try to find the money from somewhere for the eye test they are only about £15 ?

 

[Felinia]

I was only offered the full free retinal scan when my pre-diabetes turned to full blown diabetes. But if you go to your GP perhaps they will listen and refer you. If not you would be wise to pay and get on top of your vision before it becomes worse.

 

[karloc]

I think (not 100% sure) its only free if you have 'diabetes'. When getting your eye test you just say you are diabetic and they take doctors details (i guess to check - if they do) so might be worth asking the doctors because they would be the ones to say whether you count or not.
Opticians often offer free eye tests from time to time, I think our local specsavers have a free eye test voucher on car parking tickets most of the time.
My eye sight changed overnight when I dropped my blood glucose levels - was not better as such but I was needing to review my current prescriptions at the time anyway.
As my eyesight may well carry on changing as I fight my diabetes so I just got the cheapest specs I could for my intermediate vision which was where I was having most issues £19 from specsavers - not bad compared to normal glasses costs.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

My eyes always used to be affected by blurriness when my BG was running high, which then resolved when I got more back into range.

Do you have a BG meter to check your own levels? Something like the SD Codefree is often recommended here by people who have to find their own as the strips are more affordable.

Then you could use something like AlanS’s ‘test review adjust’ approach to tailor your diet to the way your body handles specific foods rather than trying to ‘cut out everything’ because you *think* it will be bad for your BGs.

http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/test-review-adjust.html

 

[Dan27]

Specsavers tend to offer free eye tests if you are kind to their staff and on many leaflets.

 

[Synapse321]

Not sure, but surely if you are worried about your sight then try to find the money from somewhere for the eye test they are only about £15 ?

Hi

Unfortnately £15 is quite a sum out of my budget. I wish I was in a position where I could wave a magic wand and not worry about money.

I have taken the idea here and booked a free test with Specsaver. I hope the optometrist is not under pressure to refer me to new glasses even if I don't

need them. They have to make money being a business.

 

[Billy Bob]

Hi

Unfortnately £15 is quite a sum out of my budget. I wish I was in a position where I could wave a magic wand and not worry about money.

I have taken the idea here and booked a free test with Specsaver. I hope the optometrist is not under pressure to refer me to new glasses even if I don't

need them. They have to make money being a business.

I can completely understand that £15 is nothing to some but a lot to those on a limited budget . Even if the eye test is free and you do need glasses this is another expense that is I do not think is covered? by being diabetic so you need to speak to which ever optician you use and see if there is a payment plan on offer .
Not ideal but if you need glasses then it is a necessity but hopefully you will not need glasses

 

[Synapse321]

I can completely understand that £15 is nothing to some but a lot to those on a limited budget . Even if the eye test is free and you do need glasses this is another expense that is I do not think is covered? by being diabetic so you need to speak to which ever optician you use and see if there is a payment plan on offer .
Not ideal but if you need glasses then it is a necessity but hopefully you will not nebd glasses

If you get a free NHS sight test I think you also get a voucher towards specs/lenses. To save money you can fit the new lenses into your original frame.

But like I reiterated before Opticians is run like a business to make money just like dentists are. So you have to remind them you are on a tight budget.