Eye tests in France

[MisguidedAngel]

We've lived here for 7 years but go back to UK once a year to visit family and I've been having my eyes tested there. I have a fairly complex prescription, I wear gas permeable lenses, cataracts just beginning. I want to start using the French system; I know you have to go to an opthalmologist. Any advice? Comparisons with the English system?

[MarieJeanne]

You need to make an appointment with an ophtalmologue , you don't need a reference. You might have to wait awhile if it's not urgent and they will test your eyesight and give you a prescription for glasses or lenses which you take to the opticians. Glasses are not very well reimbursed by the SECU so check out your mutuelle.

[homeanddry]

Depending on where you live you could have a long wait to see an ophtalmologist. Around here six months is not unusual, unless it's an emergency. Ask around for a recommendation. Eye tests are usually very thorough, however.

I don't know about contacts, but glasses tend to be more expensive than in the UK. Have you got a good mutuelle?

[MisguidedAngel]

We live in North Brittany (nearest big towns Guingamp, Lannion, Paimpol, St Brieuc). Our mutuelle wouldn't reimburse much, but since I have to pay in UK anyway, that wouldn't bother me. None of my French friends wear glasses, but they're asking around for me.

Thanks for your replies.

[frenchfancy]

It is quite often worth traveling to a bigger city. Our standard wait here is 6months but if we go to La Rochelle it is 2 weeks.

Talk to your mutuel you may be able to add optical on for not much more money.

[tb]

There's an English optician in Eymet in the Dordogne, bit far for you, but you could always go there on holiday!

She is also registered with the French system, and gives you a letter for your gp so that you can get a prescription put through the French system.