to question how I am meant to get my child glasses?

[SometimesIquestionmyownsanity]

My ds has poor eyesight. His prescription is so strong that he HAS to have the lenses thinned.

Today I have contacted 3 opticians to ask if they can supply any glasses (specsavers, vision express and an independent) for his prescription that don't require me to pay anymore. All 3 have said no and I have to pay for the lenses to be thinned on top of the NHS voucher.

This has ranged in price from £60-£120.

My ds is currently wearing an old pair of glasses, as until next payday I cannot buy these for him.

Not benefit bashing, genuine question, what do/or should people do who are on benefits or very low incomes do? Do their child not get the glasses?

All 3 opticians have said they are unable to make the prescription up, as they would not fit into any frames they have without me paying for them to be thinned.

AIBU to think this is shocking?

My dd has glasses and the opticians thin her lenses for free. That was Specsavers but admittedly it was about a year ago. I would ask to speak to the manager and see what they suggest.

I obviously am BU to think it's wrong I have to pay for the glasses. I just feel bad that I can't just get him new glasses, that I have to wait to be able to afford it.

And I am concerned how many kids don't ever get the glasses as the parents can never afford them.

Ah cross post, Specsavers said because they have to do special lenses due to his complicated prescription they can't thin them as well.

Get a crisis loan anyone can apply for it.

What's the prescription?

DD's is -7 in both eyes and last time I struggled to find frames that would take her lenses. All the ones she liked the assistant said they weren't suitable as the lenses were so thick. I never thought of getting the lenses thinned. But yes if they're so thick that they cause problems like this, or just feeling very heavy then I do think they should be free for kids.

Or get a bank loan, a credit card or borrow the money

+8.25 -2 +.9

it seems to be the combination of all three parts that makes it awkward.

It sounds like you may have to go back to whoever tested his eyes and make sure they have given you the correct voucher - there are various different types and complex prescriptions get a higher value allocated see here. Ask the opthamologist what voucher was assigned to him and explain the problem you are having with the optician.

I am a bit out of the loop in the UK.

why are you having to pay? does the NHS not cover this type of situation? :)

ASDA optician's thinned one of ds's lens free of charge.

My DD has quite thick lenses for a microsquint. We usually go to a high st optician but last time chose her frames from the dispensing optician at the eye clinic where she has her eye appointments. The optometrist recommended the in-house optician as it's cheaper, and he was also able to thin the lenses - the high st shops generally don't bother as it takes too long. Can you ask at the eye clinic if there's a dispensing optician at the hospital that you can use instead?

I'll wait until payday - I am fortunate that I can wait until payday, not being too far away.

But it made me question how others can do it. And is it right that we have to do it.

This is not choosing designer frames, or wanting the most fashionable looking, this is bog standard let me have the NHS buddy holly type glasses.

He has a B voucher, which does seem right for his prescription, but the opticians all say that pays for the funny shaped lenses not the thinning.

I will try Asda, and ask the hospital if they have one.

NHS cover frames and standard lenses.

YABU. There are no lenses that have to be thinned. It is cosmetic to have higher index lenses. If it's a + prescription then go for plastic frame and ask for them to be glazed set slightly back. If it's a - prescription then get as smaller eye size as possible and ask for the rims to be polished.

Has your opticians told you what grade of voucher your son is entitled to?

link - click optical voucher values

Maybe you can ask to be referred to a paediatric optical specialist to be tested by your NHS trust who can then help you find somewhere that can make the glasses free.

'Scuse my ignorance why is it cosmetic to have higher index lenses?

Are you saying that my ds can have a less + number, and still be able to see?

So if I ask for plastic frame and set back slightly they can go in?

DD's current optician doesnt charge for thinning the lenses (is an independent) but the one before that did charge (about £20 I think). Are there any other opticians in your area?

Sorry, I cross posted rather a lot there.

would your DS qualify for a "complex lens" voucher - "patients whose prescription for spectacles is for at least one lens which has either power in any meridian of plus or minus 10 dioptre or more or is a prism controlled bi-focal lens" ?

The opticians have said "higher value voucher" I am presuming this means a B, looking at that list.

But I'm presuming a doppler is +8 part so less than 14.

sorry, too many x-posts while I refreshed my memory what a complex lens voucher covered...

Ok now I'm getting cross with the opticians rather than the NHS, why won't any of them make up the prescription for me for free?

I've explained that I can't buy them due to cost, and none of them have said well they don't need to be thinned.

Everyone of them has said you'll have to come back when you can pay for it.

Why do they have to be thinned? Is it not possible for them to be made without them being thinned?

I had to pay 200 euros for my glasses to be thinned, 100 euros per lens, so I do sympathise.

the lenses will be incredibly thick and heavy if they are not thinned given the prescription. Dd is +6 and +5.5 and her lenses are still quite thick even when they have been thinned

the only high street optician to offer free 1.6 high index lenses is asda as far as i know.
It will depend greatly on the frame you choose to be honest. Have you been into the store, picked a frame and spoken to a dispensing optician?