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Original poster

Eye test and have now been referred to the hospital

54 replies

PinkJam · 09/12/2019 14:52

Hi,

I wonder if anyone has been in a similar situation or can offer some advice.

I went for an eye test and the optician said there was problems with the optic nerve in both eyes. They said it needed an urgent referral to the hospital and to take a letter to the GP. I have been to the GP and the doctors surgery have referred it but my appointment isn’t until early February.

I just wondered if it was normal to wait this long and also what the issue could be? I’m very scared that it could be something serious.

OP posts:
SirTobyBelch · 09/12/2019 15:17

Depends on what the optometrist said the problem with the optic nerves was. Did you keep a copy of the letter, or can you remember what it said? A GP here will probably be able to tell you what they would do in those circumstances.

Sprinklemetinsel · 09/12/2019 15:21

Ask the optician what they think?

Original poster
PinkJam · 09/12/2019 15:32

I think the optician said that the optic disc is blurred? But was surprised that I’m not getting headaches.

OP posts:
SirTobyBelch · 09/12/2019 16:05

Do you know whether the word papilloedema was mentioned in the letter?

Original poster
PinkJam · 09/12/2019 16:18

No that wasn’t written on the letter Smile though I don’t think the optician mentioned anything specifically it was more detailing the eye exam and that the optics discs are blurry.

OP posts:
Bluesheep8 · 09/12/2019 18:25

Feb isn't an urgent referral. When I was having problems with my vision and saw an optician, they detected a problem during the examination and I was sent straight to the ophthalmologist at the hospital. As in immediately.

Sprinklemetinsel · 09/12/2019 19:20

I think that's what OP is worrying about, Blue.

I meant can you ask the optician if February is soon enough, OP. You may have misunderstood, or you may be in an area where even urgent is a six week wait,

helpfulperson · 09/12/2019 19:32

I agree with asking the optometrist if they are happy with you not being seen until February. If so great, if not you can then try and get it brought forward.

Original poster
PinkJam · 09/12/2019 20:23

@Sprinklemetinsel Thank you, I think I will call the optician tomorrow and get some more advice. A receptionist from the doctors surgery called and said she has tried to ring round other local hospitals but they were all a similar time frame. And she confirmed it is urgent and the letter has been copied over to the hospital.

OP posts:
Original poster
PinkJam · 09/12/2019 20:24

So I am concerned that they are testing it as “urgent” but that still the best they can do is February Confused

OP posts:
Sprinklemetinsel · 09/12/2019 20:29

That does sound worrying. Perhaps being available for a cancellation?
Would going private be a possibility? Perhaps for the initial referral?

Original poster
PinkJam · 09/12/2019 21:23

@Sprinklemetinsel Good point, I will mention about being on the list for any cancellations. I don’t think I can afford private. Thank you for replying Smile

OP posts:
FairytaleofBykerGrove · 09/12/2019 21:26

This happened to me today. I’ve to go to hospital tomorrow. Totally freaked out.

Flupibass · 09/12/2019 21:38

My dh also had this a couple of weeks ago.Urgent referral , date on nhs came through for March! He went private and got one within a week. I’ve just asked him how much it cost but unfortunately not seen invoice.

SinkGirl · 09/12/2019 21:53

Last year we were waiting an age to see an NHS opthalmologist - my son had a worsening squint coinciding with a developmental regression and I was very concerned. I emailed the secretary of a private opthalmologist to see if he would see him privately - he responded saying it would be best for him to be seen in the NHS but he brought his NHS appointment forward to the following week as he agreed it was urgent.

Not saying this is the best strategy but it might be worth contacting some private consultants and explaining the situation and seeing if they can help. Also call the hospital department and see if they have a cancellation list. And I’d also contact PALS saying your urgent appointment is taking two months and ask if there’s anything they can do.

itsbetterthanabox · 09/12/2019 21:58

How old are you? And are you overweight?

Original poster
PinkJam · 10/12/2019 07:11

@FairytaleofBykerGrove I hope everything is ok for you. How did they get you in straight away? Did the GP ring the hospital or did you?

@Flupibass It is ridiculous how long the waiting list must be.

@SinkGirl I think I might wait a few days and then ring the hospital and ask. I was going to ring the opticians but I don’t know if they will be able to tell me if they would expect me to be seen sooner.

@itsbetterthanabox I’m 35 and about a stone - a stone and a half overweight.

OP posts:
littlecabbage · 10/12/2019 07:15

Can you at least afford a private consultation? I believe the long wait is often for a consultation, but that if you see a consultant who works in the NHS also, he or she can often fast track you onto the NHS list for treatment if they consider it urgent enough.

FairytaleofBykerGrove · 10/12/2019 08:01

@PinkJam I’m in Ireland. The optician rang the hospital directly. It happened to me 20 years ago in the UK too that a GP sent me directly to neurology. It was IIH that time - I haven’t been bothered with it for a long time. But I know things have changed in the UK since then.

Yesterday I was also told to go to straight A&E straight away if I felt ill before today. So I had a lovely peaceful night as you can imagine Hmm

Have you called your optician back to ask their advice?

Original poster
PinkJam · 10/12/2019 08:28

@FairytaleofBykerGrove No they aren’t open yet. I was going to give it a couple of days for the hospital to receive the letter and then if they haven’t got in touch ring the opticians.

OP posts:
squee123 · 10/12/2019 08:36

Definitely ask the optician if they think it is quick enough. Nothing will change when the hospital gets the letter. You already have an appointment arranged so it will likely just be filed without review from anyone medically trained.

If the optician thinks you need seeing sooner then I would find out where your nearest eye A&E department is (if you are in or near London Moorfields has one) and present there to be checked.

stripeypillowcase · 10/12/2019 08:40

are you close to london?
moorfields is the place to go.
when dh had a similar issue he went straight to the eye emergency walk in clinic there with the opticians letter.

xine15 · 10/12/2019 08:40

Sounds like what I had which turned out to be idiopathic inter cranial hypertension. 3 docs missed it despite the headache for 4 weeks which I told them was completely different from any other I'd ever had and blurred vision which became double vision. Sounds like you are earlier as you have no other symptoms but I would still not hang around! They (opticians ) sent me straight to a and e. Could you ring doctors again?

It was scary at the time and I spent a few nights in hospital but for me a lumber puncture sorted it out. One v mild reoccurrence a year later but then it has been 4 years and all clear. Fingers crossed for you.

whatalovelytub · 10/12/2019 08:58

Agree if you're near a big eye unit just go down there.
London is Moorfields who have a 24 hour A&E dept. Surrey has the Royal Eye Unit at Kingston Hospital which has an A&E open 9-5.
Not too sure about the rest of the country but google should tell you?

Original poster
PinkJam · 10/12/2019 09:29

Thank you all Smile I will ring the opticians later and see what they say. Then go from there. Thanks again

OP posts: