Glasses question re NHS

[sthitch]

My daughter needs her first pair of glasses as an eye test at school picked up some issues. Whilst waiting for the appointment, I took her to the opticians and it turns out she's quite long sighted (6 & 6.5 if that means anything), we had absolutely no idea as she thankfully doesn't have a squint.

We need to go back in 2months and then continue with 3 monthly appointments for a while (separate to any hospital appointments) does anyone know how it works with the NHS? For example today the voucher went towards the lenses and I paid for the frames, but the lady said its likely we will need to keep altering the prescription, so how does that work each time, do we have to pay each time? I should have asked but only thinking about it now, I also wonder what they do as we only have one pair so not sure how it works and if they send them off each time?? Any words of experience would be great.

It all goes from the hospital really. I’d wait and not use the glasses until they have assessed her eyes (they will use drops and also take pictures of her eyes). They will give you a voucher and then keep giving you the relevant vouchers afterwards. You only need to go to the opticians afterwards to choose a frame and get repairs done. Whilst she is long sighted, that’s not unusual in children.

DD has been in glasses from age 1, we’ve had 8 pairs so far, not paid for any, even the breakages.

They said the hospital appointment might take months. They did the drops today as well to get a full picture of what was happening. Thanks for the advice re the vouchers.

We chose the free frames.
DS was issued a voucher each time so kept the ‘old’ pair whilst the new ones were being made.we didn’t pay for frames until he was older.

DS is long sighted with a similar prescription. The voucher does entitle you so one level of free thinning but the lenses may still be slightly thick.

Asda opticians do free thinning btw and have been amazing for teen glasses and thinner lenses than the voucher gave us at our local optician.

Why did you pay for frames?

ds has had times where his prescription has changed every 3 months so he has had new glssses every 3 months.

She's never had glasses before? I don't know as I have no experience but just was told to choose frames and we picked the ones she liked, I assumed they would change the lenses in them? I have no idea with this stuff

1 pair of frames are lens are free ok the NHS for all Children < 16 years.

Hi Optom here - a few years ago, we used to ask people to wait until they'd been to the hospital when we found a co-existing problem - like a squint. But they found it was worsening outcomes for most children, so the guidance was changed a few years ago. We now prescribe and refer for everyone.

At the moment wait times are several months.

@SunbathingDragon I don't think her prescription will change that much. In fact, in the absence of a squint or significant amblyopia, the hospital will probably only see her once and then refer back to the optician.

I also don't think that her prescription will change that much, it will get a little better when she gets to her tweens/teens. You just get a new voucher each time, the NHS will also replace them if they break.

My own daughter has a very similar prescription - I just bought a cheap second pair so that we always had a pair.

One of my DC has had glasses for a few years. We’ve had a new voucher every time his prescription has changed.

He’s had a whole new pair of glasses each time.

If you choose the free frames then you shouldn’t have to pay anything for the glasses.
Our opticians do stock some fancier frames which cost more for children’s glasses, but they’ve always pointed out which ones are free with the voucher and which ones cost extra when my DC’s been picking out his frames.

Next time just ask which are the free frames, and show DD those first without mentioning that there are other options. If she doesn't like any of them then consider looking at more expensive ones, especially if she's self conscious, but in most cases a kid will be able to pick one they like.

Thanks for everyone's responses.

They mentioned she potentially will develop a squint even with glasses, but obviously we hope not! Is it ikely we will get a separate prescription from the hospital that I can use towards a cheaper spare pair? If not I'll buy some spares, but just wondered. They seem to think her prescription would likely change in the coming months (she's 5)

Not sure what happened with my post above!

You would only get a voucher if her prescription changes. When that happens you shouldn't be using the old glasses.
The voucher always covers glasses and lenses for us.

You get a new voucher every time her prescription changes.

The voucher actually is only for the lenses, however many opticians will give a frame as well because they are very cheap to buy wholesale for many kids frames. A fancier branded frame costs the optician more so that will be passed on. So you may well get a frame and lenses for the cost of the voucher, but the true voucher entitlement is only for lenses. Some hospital eye services will authorise a 2nd pair for children, you could ask about this. Every time the prescription changes you will get a new voucher.