what do you pay?

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Andrew MacLean
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Re: what do you pay?

Postby Andrew MacLean » Sat 01 Sep 2007 9:43 am

Morag

I think I agree with you about the necessity of contact lens solutions as part of the 'process'. For many people, however, there would be minimal advantage in solutions being available on prescription.

Practice seems to vary in different parts of the country. I know that the position in Scotland is different to that in the rest of the United Kingdom. The clinic I used to attend in Glasgow would give solutions to people who were unable to afford them. There was no means test; I think that the solutions were provided to the hospital as 'samples' from the manufacturer.

Although I never used this service, I did work with a number of students who benefited from the provision.

Why not write to your local Primary Care Trust and set out your concerns to them? A word with your GP may also help.

All the best

Andrew
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Re: what do you pay?

Postby morag » Sat 01 Sep 2007 10:33 am

Thanks for that
What do you mean by -"For many people, however, there would be minimal advantage in solutions being available on prescription" would not everyone benefit in the long run - every penny counts?? Just a thought (I’m not being angry or whatever some people might think - just asking)
I just feel that KC suffers have been put on the back burner, and no one really knows how to help us but really do want to, but just don’t know how to.
Aren’t we helping the contact lenses industry they are making a killing out of us? They should really put something back in, its not like we chose to wear the lenses, we had to!
I will talk to my GP and I will let you now how I get on
But again thanks for your reply
Morag

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Re: what do you pay?

Postby Andrew MacLean » Sat 01 Sep 2007 10:42 am

No, for some people the cost of the prescription would be more than the cost of buying the solutions 'over the counter'.

I just feel that KC suffers have been put on the back burner, and no one really knows how to help us but really do want to, but just don’t know how to.


I guess we all know that feeling. Sometimes it is up to us to tell people what we need: for example, I have a talking computer and a video magnifier that make it possible for me to work even at times when my sight is very poor. All this kit was provided by my employer and the access to work team at the jobcentre.

Andrew
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Re: what do you pay?

Postby John Smith » Sat 01 Sep 2007 11:32 am

Morag,

No, the £50 NHS contact lens fee is not means tested. The difficulty some people find is in getting the NHS to provide lenses... but when they do, I've not heard of anyone paying more than the standard lens fee.

Or have I misunderstood you?

I agree that it would be wonderful if we could get solutions on prescription as we are entitled, but we do have a campaign (led by Marian Bargery) on that topic at the moment.
John

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Re: what do you pay?

Postby GarethB » Sat 01 Sep 2007 5:00 pm

People with KC make up a ver small part of the contact lens industry.

Those who do have an interest in KC are constantly trying to deveol more lenses for us. However it would appear few lens manufacturere also manufacture/supply solutions too.

It is perhaps not a case of being put on back burner but more common eye conditions getting the priority. I do know one lens manufacture who's priority is KC lenses.

As John says we have an active campaign to try and get solutions on prescription for all and I think the Welsh group are trying to get the same through the Welsh assembly.

It will be a slow progress and very much a case of watch this space.
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Re: what do you pay?

Postby morag » Sat 01 Sep 2007 8:49 pm

That’s good news, can we see the campaign? Help out with it?
I have tried to contact the Welsh group but no reply yet
We do not pay for prescription in Wales, so I suppose that’s something but we need to have at least the solutions fee on prescription

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Re: what do you pay?

Postby Spong » Mon 15 Oct 2007 10:56 pm

I hope someone else reads this thread again.....only just registered and not looked at every post so my answer maybe already here somewhere.

I was diagnosed wih KC around 9 years ago through private consultation via medical scheme etc.
I was referred to NHS hospital lens fitter for lenses and was amazed and extremley grateful to get
what I now consider as normal sight once more....

I paid for lenses as a private patient and this has continued throughout the last 9 years etc.

I have been using Rose K lenses to good effect and this year I paid £320 for a new set, is this about right for a new pair of Rose K's through private practice?

I lost them recently and had to buy a second pair, £280.

Should I now try and get a pair via my local NHS, would this be via GP and referals?

I know for a fact my fitter works for my local NHS, should I be worried about adverse reaction from said fitter.

Should my fitter provide me with my prescription?

Should I be able to take this prescription to oher lens practices?

Any advice or help gratefully received....

Many thanks..

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Re: what do you pay?

Postby GarethB » Tue 16 Oct 2007 7:05 am

Spong

Welcome to the forum.

I think most on this forum were diagnosed with KC by their optom or then optom sent a note to their GP requesting their patient be refferd to a hospital. This for me was because the optom despite being knowledgable about KC felt that he would be out of his depth regarding fitting me with lenses. Still see him and I have the utmost respect for his honesty.

I am slightly confused by your post in that you say you were referred to an NHS lens fitter then paid for lenses as a private patient?

Many hospitals do contract out their lens fitting services and I think this is usually where they do not have a contact lens clinic within the hospital.

Regarding your prescription, not all high street optoms will be able to fulfill your prescription and if you have a good lens fitter why change?

Plus if they are a good lens fitter and you get on well with them, I think it only fair you discuss with them the provision of lenses through the NHS.

Through the NHS I know I do not need to pay for replacement lenses should I loose one, but they are also coverd by my home contents policy should I loose one.

Hope this helps.

Gareth
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Re: what do you pay?

Postby Spong » Tue 16 Oct 2007 8:57 am

Hi Gareth, thanks for your info, muchly appreciated.....

Just to clarify, I got referred via optom and GP and used a private medical scheme to get
eyes fully tested and KC diagnosis.

The specialist told me Lenses were the way forward and referred me to a fitter who basically
did all his fitting at the local NHS eye hospital, thus I was referred to the fitter as a private patient.
Does that make sense?

Long story short, original fitter moved on and current fitter was recommended.

Current fitter has filled the NHS posts locally aswell as running a private practice.

I have to say my current fitter has looked after my eyes and restored my sight brilliantly and maybe i souldn't be getting all wound up about the cost of the lenses but this year alone I have spent £600 on 2 sets of lenses..small price to pay some might say for restoring sight.

Am I being cheap or penny pinching when I say I would like cheaper lenses?

If I could get a referral to NHS I would be seeing my own fitter and this may cuase ill feeling.
Don't want that.......

Also get frustrated that KC isn't seen as a disibility, especially at work, if I had bad back I would have a workplace assessment and possibley thousands spent on my desk chair or other comfort aid.

Maybe I should goto work without lenses and say I need their help...

I'm sure you have seen the same frustrations over and over again.

On a brighter note, I have put in my replacement lenses today and the difference between my old pair and these is incredible and I can see better than ever.

Just wonder what people pay privately for Rose K's?

Cheers....Spong

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Re: what do you pay?

Postby Pat A » Tue 16 Oct 2007 10:27 am

hi Spong

Can't help you much about lens issues, but am e-mailing you via the PM system on the forum regarding your comment on Disability and work. [Sorry I cannot do this publicly at the moment]

Best wishes
Pat

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