Eye care... and NHS?

I am currently planning my move across the pond.

I am terrified of getting used to the health system.  I mean I just booked an appointment for my husband online after he got a referral....   can't you just call people and arrange something more than 28 days in advance for a convenient time?!

Anyway while I have my questions about health care in general, I right now am mostly concerned about my eyes.  I have contacts, and currently no glasses as my good, latest pair, broke, twice.  I wore them after the first break as they were still usable, but the second break was right in half.  Then to top it off I was wearing my back up pair between the two breaks of my best pair and did a face dive (not entirely on purpose) on to the bed and they snapped in half as well!  I don't mind contacts, I'm just sick of wearing them all day, and I don't feel I have time to go see my eye doctor person here in the US and get a pair ordered and in before I'll be moving home!

Can anyone tell me if the NHS has anything to do with eye care, or is it separate?

P.S. When I visited last summer I started having some pains that needed explaining by a doctor, so my husband took me to his doctor at the time, and I got all set up to go and see a doctor.  About a month later I got an NHS medical card with an NHS number.  Was this only good for the length of my visit, i.e. a temporary number, or will I keep this number when I move over permanently?

The NHS generally doesn't pay for routine eye exams or glasses, although some people can get a contribution toward those costs in if on a very low income.  Also, some employers will pay for an eye test every year, but that wouldn't cover the cost of glasses.  The only other option (besides paying full price, which is what most people end up doing) would be paying into supplementary private health plans like Westfield, many of which do include optical cover (eye tests & glasses/contacts.)

You'll keep your number permanently.

Eye care in the UK for most is not covered by the NHS.  It is only covered for children, the elderly, and others with certain medical conditions (such as diabetes).

Also, employers have to pay for one eye test per year for those who spend more than 5 hours per day (I think) in front of a monitor.

Vicky (crossed with springhaze)

IME, there are a lot of affordable eye care options available.

I paid 20 quid for a eye exam and lens fitting at Spec Savers - my monthy wear contacts are 10 quid per month (mailed to me, including saline) paid by direct deposit, so I get my next eye exam for free.  

Specs would have been about 75, and I think there are occasional specials where you can get two pair for that amount.

Also, I was really impressed by the technology and indepth physiological knowledge that my practitioners possessed.

If you're in Scotland you get a free NHS eye exam. 

Also, if the optometrist finds something that needs surgical or more specialised care (not laser correction surgery- but like glaucoma, cateracts, nerve damage) you'll get referred to a opthamologist, all covered under NHS.

Many of the eye places will give you good discounts if you set up through direct debit, etc.  I got 2 of my last pairs of glasses through Boots and it was buy 1 get 1 free.  I bought boots own glasses frames, which weren't too bad price wise and they look pretty good.  My biggest expense was needing to get my big, thick lenses thinned down.  I'm nice and blind! 

Also - it's worth checking around, as various national chains of opticians run free-or-reduced eye test offers/vouchers.  I don't think my DH has ever paid for an eye test this way!!

There's a plethora of online glasses retailers that can give you a good pair for as little £20.  If you don't mind a little risk, that can save you literally hundreds.

That card and NHS number are yours now to keep, they are good for life

All the big high-street opticians do vouchers and deals, like D&A will let you print a half off voucher from their website, making their eye test £13.50. 
A lot of opticians will refund the cost of the eyetest if you buy glasses with them.
I wear contacts, I have focus dailies and one of my eyes is astigmatic, making my contacts about £30 a month (for 30 pairs) which I pay by direct deposit and they get mailed to me.  I could do  monthlies to knock the cost down (significantly) but can't be bothered to deal with saline.

I also have a couple of pairs of glasses from
www.glassesdirect.co.uk/
to wear when I'm bored of contacts or on the weekend.
They cost me about £29 a pair and they look great (well I think so, I have margarita and prague styles) , took about a week to deliver, good quality and perfect for what I need them for.
I just got the optician to print out  my prescription, then you just enter it online into their website (easy to do).

I also have a couple of pairs of glasses from
www.glassesdirect.co.uk/

My husband has ordered from there twice - so I would definitely say they are one of the better & more reliable online glasses retailers out there (so many of them are based in China, be careful).

I have read that some dental services and glasses can be free if you or your partner claim certain benefits.  If you are here on FLR and your partner claims incapacity benefits and pension credit, does that enable you to also get free glasses?  Or would that be seen as accessing public funds?

Also, if the optometrist finds something that needs surgical or more specialised care (not laser correction surgery- but like glaucoma, cateracts, nerve damage) you'll get referred to a opthamologist, all covered under NHS.

That's good to hear, as I've been seeing retina specialists my entire life.  I've always opted for health insurance that covers eye care, as well, though, so it's good to know that's an option in case the NHS decides my half-blind state doesn't merit coverage.