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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.