nhs optical vouchers and designer frames

[micci25]

can you use your nhs vouchers towards the cost of designer frames? and if so how much are the vouchers worth? frames i want are £125 and come with free lenses.

also do i get more if i am allergic to cheap frames as i am allergic to cheap metals? my nhs glasses are driving me nuts the side of my nose is contsatnly sore and often bleeding where my glasses touch as i have an allergy to certain meatls

I don't know for certain, but I suspect you won't get more because you're allergic to certain metals- I'm sure you could get plastic frames that you aren't allergic to.

I think it's about £36 towards your frames and free standard lenses.

yeah you can but its the metal that holds on those plastic things that bother me and they are all metal, even on plastic frames.

im willing to pay towards the cost of them i was just wondering if anyone who how much

It depends entirely on where you go for your specs. Chains (like Specsavers and D&A) tend to have better deals for NHS patients than independents IME.

its specsavers i have my appointment with

you can always paint clear nail varnish over the metal bits. it's low tech, but it does work!! (spent half an hour on monday painting a patient's frame!! )

Right, with Speccies (if i remember rightly - has been a while since i worked for them) have what they call their NHS upgrades - where you pay a certain amount towards the better frames. When i worked for them (over 4 years ago now) you paid £40 for a designer/titanium frame. But it may well have changed now. Have you had a look on their website?

yes it doesnt tell you anything, but my sister said that she had heard you pay £40 towards designer frames but couldnt remember where at so it will be there hopefully.

i have never thought of painting them with clear nail varnsih before i will have to try that, thanks.

How did you get on micci - have you had your appointment yet?

yes i did, ended up costing me £71 for designer frames with reactions lenses and they are all plastic so i wont be allergic and ill feel much more confident and cpomfortable wearing them. i can pick them on tues. thanks.

Kewl - you'll have to post pics of them on your profile so I can have a good old ganders!

Micci - did you get your new specs??