NEWS
Children’s eyecare initiative
Polly Dulley is chair of this national group, run by the Optical Confederation. The aim of the group is to improve eyecare for ALL children. This means trying to get the message across to both parents and teachers that eyecare is vital for all children. In the UK, just 53% of children have ever had any kind of eye examination, and this means that one in five children have an undetected vision problem.
Many parents assume that children’ss eyes are still checked at school, but this is simply not the case, in many parts of the UK. They also think that a child will complain if they have a vision problem, but many children don’st realise they have a problem, because they have no idea of what is normal.
So far, Polly has written a letter to the head teachers of 23,000 schools in the UK, asking for help from teachers in encouraging parents to get their children’ss eyes checked, and offering help and resources to improve understanding and knowledge about eyes and eyecare.
Many children who come to Aves already have been used in filming and for interviews in both local and national newspapers, telling their own story of why regular eyecare is so important and how it has changed their lives.
If your children haven’st had an eye examination, book them in today. It’ss free and it might make a huge difference to your child’ss development. Children who can’st see clearly find it more difficult to learn and play!
Prescription Sunglasses
Protecting our eyes from the sun’ss harmful rays is vital. Eye conditions such as cataract and macular degeneration are both more likely in people who don’st protect their eyes from the sun. Aves stock a wide range of both non-prescription and prescription sunglasses. A complete pair of prescription sunglasses costs as little as £99, so do pop in and have a look. Be ready for the sunshine!
NHS Eye examinations
The only optometric service that is funded by the NHS is the standard eye examination. At Aves in Epping, we aim to offer the most comprehensive NHS eye examination that we can, but because funding is limited, additional investigations such as digital eye photography may entail a fee. These are detailed later in this section. Any additional fees that you may incur will be explained in advance.
Who is entitled to an NHS eye examination?
NHS-funded eye examinations are available to the following groups:
- Under 16's
- Under 19's, still in full time education
- Over 60’s
- Those receiving income support
- Those receiving family tax credit
- Those receiving job seekers allowance
- Those in possession of a current HC1 certificate
- People with diabetes
- People with glaucoma
- People registered blind or partially sighted
- People over 40 with a direct relative who has glaucoma
- People whose prescription has complex lenses
Please note that the NHS will not fund unlimited eye examinations for any individual. The standard period between examinations is two years, unless your optometrist advises you of a clinical reason for more frequent examinations. If however you have any concerns about your eyes or vision, but are not due for your routine eye examination, please do not hesitate to contact the practice and we will tell you whether a further NHS-funded eye examination can be carried out.
Private Fees
Our fees for private consultations, investigations and treatments are as follows:
| Eye examination | under 40 | £30.00 |
| 40 and over | £40.00 | |
| Emergency visit | from £20.00 | |
| Diabetic retinopathy examination | £30.00 | |
| Digital retinal photography | £15.00 | |
| Specialised visual fields | £40.00 | |
| Repeat visual fields | £20.00 | |
| Repeat tonometry | £15.00 | |
| Repeat visual fields and tonometry | £30.00 | |
| Coloured overlay assessment | £50.00 | |
| Colorimetry | £50.00 | |
| Punctal occlusion | Collagen plug | £60.00 |
| Silicone plug | £120.00 | |
| Letter / report | from £20.00 | |
| IFS stereograms | £25.00 | |
Contact Lens Professional Fees
| New contact lens fitting | £50.00 |
| Daily disposable contact lens fitting | £40.00 |
| Multifocal contact lens fitting | £70.00 |
| Contact lens aftercare | £35.00 |
| Contact lens refitting | £25.00 |
| Multifocal contact lens refitting | £40.00 |
YOU SAID IT
"Thank you for your years of excellent service."
Miss J.P.
