UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Well, most of you have been following my story and i can say things change week to week.

You remember me saying how i had managed to get a free eye test, well NOPE there was a catch. I thought it was too good to be true. So i remembered what an optician on here said about i can get a second opinion, just say i wasnt happy with the last one and they can use a code and give me another. So i tried that NOPE they wouldnt do it. So im back to square one no eye test so no change of getting lenses.

Jai,

If I remember rightly, this coupon was for another "high street" named optician.

Have you tried following Lynn's suggestion at an independant?

The big name players are often cynically seen as being only in it for the money; as you seem to have demonstrated. The independant's want to keep you as a customer for years and years, and will generally do everything that they can to help you through your hour of need.

J-B

Maybe you live in a part of Cheshire that has no independent optometrists left?

How much longer to go to your hospital appointment?

Andrew

i have been advisted it will be at least anothe 13 weeks min. ive waited since January already. my eye sight is making me feel sick, tonsilitis is all gone now and im not stressed. so it must be the eyes, and its defo them causing the headaces.

Lynne said that i could get another eye test simply because i wasnt happy with the last one and the NHS would be ok with that. Seems not!

As for opticians in my town i have a choice of,
Specsavers or Specsavers or Specsavers LOL
I travel about 9 miles to the next town to an optician now and they are, boots, SS and D & A so im sure you can see there isnt much choice for me.

I rang the East Cheshire NHS Trust, which im sure you have all heard of especially of how they deal with things they are always on TV. Saying i wasnt happy with what SS did, all they said to me is we will look into it. Im just another case note for them.

J-B

This is hard. All the good advice, sincerely given, is predicated on the assumption that there must be a choice of optometrists. Then comes the chill wind of reality and we realize that while nobody was looking all the optometrists were being swallowed up into big multies.

AND you are still 13 weeks away from your hospital appointment?

In the meantime, how is your corrected vision? Can you see well enough to read? Do you need larger font sizes to read text?

If you need special help, contact the RNIB, I found them an excellent resource. I think I have seen posts about another agency that helps people with visual impairement into work. At the job centre insist on seeing the Access to Work Team.

Are you still planning to go to the AGM on March 25? Sadly the exigencies of employment will keep me in Scotland on that day, but if you do make it along, talk to the folk there.

Where does the Lankashire group meet? Can you make it to see them? I know that I benefit enormously from the meetings in Scotland.

All the best, my friend.

Andrew

Indeed, Andrew has hit the nail on the head here. What town do you live in?

It certainly is a shame that you have no independant optom any more!

The other organisation that can offer help is action for blind people I think it is http://www.afbp.org

They have employment advisers who are used to overcoming the difficulties we may face at some time or another regarding employment.

best wishes

Susan

JB

Which part of Cheshire do you live in?

J

Sometimes it is hard to cope with what life keeps throwing at us. Keep your chin up. I am thinking of you and sending positive thoughts. Not much help but all I can do.

It does seem that once you are in the system it is easier to get seen. Would it help if you told them you are available to fill a cancellation at short notice?

Andy